Types Of Automobile Permits In India

Concerning permits, Automobiles are mainly divided into two categories – passenger vehicles and goods vehicles.

Permits for Passenger Vehicles:

1. School Buses or Institution:

Vehicles that are issued this permit are painted golden yellow and are free from road tax. These vehicles are owned by educational institutes.

2. All India Tourist Permit (AITP) :

All India Tourist Permit is issued to white luxury buses, with a blue ribbon of 5 cm breadth, positioned at the centre of the body of the bus. Furthermore, the word “Tourist “ must be there on the two sides of the vehicle.

3. Rent-a-cab Permit:

To obtain a rent-a-cab permit, the applicant needs to comply with the following conditions –

• The applicant needs to have a Telephone that works 24/7.
• There should be a legal parking space available.
• Enough experience in the transport business.
• Owner of at least 50 air-conditioned vehicles.
• The passenger tax is paid in the state where the vehicle runs.

4. Temporary Permit:

A Temporary permit allows a vehicle to operate outside Delhi for a restricted period of time. This permit is allowed under the following circumstances –

• For religious events or affairs.
• For vehicles to travel for periodical business purposes.
• Vehicles travelling to apply for renewal of the permit.

5. Stage Carriage Permits:

From time to time, state transport corporations announce the grant of carriage permits depending on the requirement of buses for different routes of the city or district. These permits are then granted to either state owned buses or other private operators who regularly ferry passengers within these city routes.

6. Eco-Friendly Sewa:

This permit is issued to a vehicle that has three wheels and runs on a battery. Furthermore, the seating capacity should not be more than 11 including the driver.

7. Phat Phat Sewa:

Vehicles that run on a fixed route, and have a seating capacity of not more than 10 people including the driver are issued this permit.

8. Maxi Cab Permit:

Vehicles that takes passengers on a fixed route, and have a maximum seating capacity of 12- 13 (varies according to state) including the driver are issued this permit.

9. Auto Rickshaw and Taxi Permits:

These permits are issued to three-wheeler and four-wheeler vehicles carrying passengers. Fare is calculated by the fare meter mounted on the vehicle.

10. Chartered Buses Permit:

A chartered bus a permit holder can operate under a contract with his client for a fixed destination within the city or outside the city. For this an agreement should be executed between the clients and the operators and the list of passengers should also be available with the driver of bus. The permit holder cannot pick passengers other than those mentioned in the list. 

Permits for Goods Vehicles:

1. Goods Carrier Permit:

Goods carrier permit is mandatory for vehicles that carry goods. This permit is granted under section 79 of the Motor Vehicles Act 1988. It allows a vehicle to operate within a state.

2. Counter Signatures of Goods Carrier Permits:

This permit is issued by one state but can be valid in different states through endorsement by the concerned state or Regional Transport Authority. In Delhi, counter signatures are denied for vehicles that have a gross weight above 7500 Kg and do not run on clean fuels.

3. National Permits:

National permits are issued to goods vehicles, to be able to operate outside the home state. This permit is issued for four continuous states including the home state. To obtain the national permit the age of the vehicle should not be more than 12 years, for the multi-axle vehicle the age should not be more than 15 years.