Obtain a commercial permit before operating a taxi, bus, or goods carrier commercially.
Jurisdiction
India — National / State-level (State Transport Authority (STA) of the home state for national permits; Regional Transport Authority (RTA) of the home state for state tourist permits)
Who applies
Owners or operators of commercial transport vehicles (tourist cabs, maxi-cabs, contract carriages, stage carriages, goods vehicles) who need legal authorisation to operate across state borders (National Permit) or within a state for tourist purposes (State Tourist Permit).
Typical time
15–45 working days for a National Permit; 7–21 working days for a State Tourist Permit; varies by state and vehicle category.
Fee
National Permit: ₹1,500 per year authorisation fee to the home state + ₹1,500 counter-signature fee per additional state; State Tourist Permit: ₹1,000–₹5,000 per year depending on vehicle type and state. Plus applicable road tax per state.
| # | Document | Type needed | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Form P (varies by state) — Application for Grant of Permit | Download / Print | Mandatory application form for the permit; the specific form (e.g., Form TSK-1 for tourist vehicles, Form for goods vehicle national permit) varies by state and vehicle type. |
| 2 | Original Registration Certificate (RC) of the vehicle | Original | To verify the vehicle's registration details, ownership, and that the vehicle is commercial. |
| 3 | Fitness Certificate (FC) | Original | Proof that the vehicle has passed the roadworthiness inspection and is certified fit to operate commercially. |
| 4 | Valid Commercial Motor Insurance Certificate | Original | Proof of comprehensive or third-party commercial vehicle insurance — mandatory for any permit application. |
| 5 | PUC Certificate (Pollution Under Control) | Original | Valid emission compliance certificate. |
| 6 | National Tax Token / Road Tax Payment Receipt | Original | Proof of payment of road tax (lump sum or annual) for national permit vehicles; goods vehicles require a national tax token. |
| 7 | Driving Licence of the Driver (LMV-Transport / HMV / HPMV / PSV endorsement) | Self-attested Copy | To verify the driver(s) authorised on the permit hold valid commercial driving licences. |
| 8 | Proof of Identity and Address of Vehicle Owner | Self-attested Copy | To verify the applicant's identity and address for the permit record. |
| 9 | Route / Area Details (for stage carriage or contract carriage permits)(optional)Required for stage carriage and contract carriage permits; not required for goods vehicle national permits or all-India tourist permits. | Download / Print | Prescribed route or area of operation to be covered under the permit; required for stage carriages, shuttle buses, and contract carriages. |
Original documents: Carry originals only for in-person visits — do not hand them over permanently unless explicitly required.
Identify whether you need a National Permit (all-India goods vehicle), All-India Tourist Permit (tourist cab/maxi-cab across India), State Tourist Permit (tourist vehicle within the state), or a State Permit for goods or passengers. Each has a different application route and fee structure.
Log in to vahan.parivahan.gov.in and navigate to 'Citizen Services' → 'Permit'. Select the appropriate permit type, fill in the application form, and upload all required documents (RC, FC, insurance, PUC, driver DL).
Pay the home state's permit fee and the National Tax Token fee (for goods vehicles) or tourist permit fee online through the Vahan portal. For national permits, additional counter-signature fees for each additional state must also be paid.
The STA (for national/all-India permits) or RTA (for state-level permits) reviews the application for completeness, verifies the vehicle's documents, and checks whether the vehicle and operator meet the eligibility criteria.
For a National Permit vehicle operating in specific other states, a counter-signature from the STA of each additional state is required. This can now be done online on Vahan for many states. Pay the counter-signature fee for each state.
Upon approval, the permit is issued — either as a physical document dispatched by post or downloadable from the Vahan portal. The permit specifies the vehicle, valid period, route/area, and conditions. Affix the permit details in the vehicle.
State Transport Authority (under the State Transport Department)
Granting and renewing national and all-India tourist permits
Reviews and approves national permit applications, oversees counter-signature requests from other states, and issues the permit.
Regional Transport Authority (RTO level)
Granting state permits and tourist permits within the state
Reviews state permit applications, verifies vehicle eligibility, and issues or renews state permits.
Regional Transport Office (RTO)
Vehicle verification during permit application (in some states)
Physically verifies the vehicle's condition, chassis/engine number, and fitness compliance when applying for a permit.
Online permit application, fee payment, counter-signature requests from other states, permit renewal, and status tracking.
Permit type information, fee schedule, STA/RTA locator, and vehicle permit status verification.
Policy reference for national permit rules, inter-state transport regulations, and CMVR permit provisions.
Under the Motor Vehicles Act, a commercial vehicle operating without a valid permit (or outside the permit's authorised area/route) is liable to seizure, a heavy fine, and the driver may face imprisonment. The vehicle can be impounded until the fine is paid and a permit is obtained.
A National Permit does not automatically allow a vehicle to enter any state in India. For passenger vehicles (tourist taxis, contract carriages), each additional state must issue a counter-signature, with a separate fee. Goods vehicle national permits are more flexible. Confirm the requirements for the states you plan to operate in.
Permits are issued for a fixed period (usually 1–5 years). Operating with an expired permit has the same consequences as operating without one. Set reminders well in advance to avoid lapses.
Drivers of permit-holding commercial vehicles must have the correct PSV (Public Service Vehicle) or goods vehicle endorsement on their Driving Licence, in addition to the basic LMV or HMV category. An endorsement-missing driver on a permitted vehicle is treated as unlicensed driving.
Entry into other states with a national permit vehicle may attract additional state entry tax or road tax in some states (especially for passenger vehicles). Keep sufficient cash or be aware of the applicable taxes in each state you plan to enter.