In India, commercial taxis must carry a yellow number plate — indicating they are registered for commercial passenger transport. In Delhi, the process to obtain a yellow plate for a new taxi or convert an existing private vehicle involves the Delhi Transport Authority and regional RTOs. Here is the complete 2026 guide.
Documents Required for Yellow Plate Registration in Delhi
- Original RC (Registration Certificate) of the vehicle
- Valid Insurance — must be commercial vehicle policy (not personal car insurance)
- PUC Certificate (Pollution Under Control)
- Fitness Certificate from an authorized Delhi RTO inspection centre
- ID proof of owner (Aadhaar, PAN)
- Address proof in Delhi
- Passport-size photographs
- Form 45 (Application for grant of permit)
- Bank challan/DD for permit fee payment
Step-by-Step Process at Delhi RTO
- Get a Fitness Certificate: Submit vehicle for inspection at the Delhi RTO fitness testing centre. Booking is done online via the Delhi Transport Department portal.
- Purchase Commercial Insurance: Switch from personal to commercial vehicle insurance before applying for fitness. Premiums are 30–50% higher for commercial vehicles.
- Apply for Taxi/Tourist Permit: Visit the State Transport Authority (STA), Delhi with Form 45 and all documents. Pay the permit fee (₹5,000–₹15,000 depending on permit type).
- Get RC Endorsed: Once permit is issued, the RC is updated with commercial endorsement. Request a new RC smart card from the RTO.
- Install Yellow Plate: Only after receiving the commercial permit can you officially use yellow plates.
Fees for Yellow Plate Registration in Delhi (2026)
- Fitness Certificate: ₹500–₹1,500 (depending on vehicle category)
- Taxi Permit (city): ₹5,000–₹8,000 (annual renewal required)
- All India Tourist Permit (AITP): ₹10,000–₹15,000 (5-year validity)
- Commercial Insurance premium (sedan/MPV): ₹18,000–₹50,000/year
- RC smart card update: ₹200
- Agent/facilitation charges: ₹3,000–₹8,000 (optional)
How Long Does Yellow Plate Registration Take in Delhi?
The full process from document preparation to yellow plate issuance takes 30–45 working days in Delhi when done through the RTO directly. Using a licensed transport agent reduces this to 20–30 days. Key bottlenecks are the fitness inspection waiting list (7–14 days) and STA permit processing (10–15 days).