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| Motor Vehicles Department, Kerala കേരള മോട്ടോർ വാഹന വകുപ്പ് | |
|---|---|
 Logo of Kerala MVD | |
| Abbreviation | MVD |
| Motto | Safety, Service, Technology സുരക്ഷ- സേവനം-സങ്കേതിക വിദ്യ |
| Jurisdictional structure | |
| Operations jurisdiction | Kerala, India |
| Governing body | Transport Department, Government of Kerala |
| Constituting instruments |
|
| Specialist jurisdictions |
|
| Operational structure | |
| Headquarters | Transport Commissionerate, Trans Towers, Vazhuthacaud, Thiruvananthapuram. |
| Minister responsible |
|
| Agency executives | |
| RTOs | 18 [1] |
| Sub RTOs | 69 [2] |
| Facilities | |
| Enforcement RTOs | 14 |
| Website | |
| https://mvd.kerala.gov.in | |
The Kerala Motor Vehicles Department, colloquially known as the MVD or Kerala MVD, is the motor vehicle law enforcement agency under the Transport Department of the Government of Kerala. It is responsible for the enforcement of motor vehicle laws, issuing driving licences, registering motor vehicles, ensuring road safety, and the levy and collection of road tax in the state.[3] The department is administered by the Transport Commissioner who is the Head of the Department. The current Transport Commissioner is Nagaraju Chakilam, IPS.[4]
It is primarily responsible for enforcing the Central Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, and its associated rules and regulations within the state of Kerala.[5]
Organization
Transport commissionerate
The Kerala MVD functions under the provisions of Section 213 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. The headquarters of the Motor Vehicles Department, known as the Transport Commissionerate, is situated in Thiruvananthapuram.
The Motor Vehicles Department is headed by the Transport Commissioner, typically an IPS officer of the rank of Additional Director General of Police (ADGP). The current Transport Commissioner is CH Nagaraju IPS. The Transport Commissioner is assisted by the Additional Transport Commissioner, Joint Transport Commissioners and Deputy Transport Commissioners.[6] At the Head Office, one Additional Transport Commissioner, two Joint Transport Commissioners, one Senior Deputy Transport Commissioners, one Assistant Transport Commissioner, and other ministerial and administrative officials assist the Transport Commissioner.
Zonal offices
There are four zonal offices headed by Deputy Transport Commissioners (Dy TCs).
Regional Transport Offices (RTOs)
The MVD has two functional wings: Enforcement Wing and Administration Wing. The 14 Regional Transport Offices (RTO) provides and adminster Driving Licence, Vehicle Registration Certificate, Vehicle Permit, Vehicle Fitness, and related, etc. while the Enforcement Wings headed by RTO (Enforcement) specially designated to the enforcement of the Motor Vehicles Act and accident investigation, road safety campaigns. There 14 Regional Transport Offices, headed by RTOs and several Sub regional Transport Offices headed by Joint Regional Transport Officers (JRTOs.)[7]
Sub regional Transport Offices
Sub-regional Transport Offices are headed by joint regional transport officers (JRTOs). There are 68 SRTO offices across the state.
| Category | Post | Sanctioned strength |
|---|---|---|
| Executive | Transport Commissioner | 1 |
| Additional / Joint Transport Commissioner | 1 | |
| Senior Deputy Transport Commissioner & Secretary, State Transport Authority | 1 | |
| Senior Deputy Transport Commissioner (Tax) | 1 | |
| Assistant Transport Commissioner | 1 | |
| Zonal Deputy Transport Commissioners | 4 | |
| Regional Transport Officers | 18 | |
| Joint Regional Transport Officers | 42 | |
| Motor Vehicle Inspectors | 126 | |
| Assistant Motor Vehicle Inspectors | 286 | |
| Non-executive | Administrative Officer | 1 |
| Law Officer | 1 | |
| Finance Officer | 1 | |
| Statistical Officer | 1 | |
| Accounts Officer | 1 | |
| Senior Superintendents | 31 | |
| Junior Superintendents | 49 | |
| Head Accountant / PRO / Head Clerk | 117 | |
| Clerks (LD & UD) | 614 |
Functions and responsibilities
- Enforcement of motor vehicle laws and traffic regulations[5]
- Issue and renewal of driving licences and learner’s licences[5]
- Registration of motor vehicles and issue of Registration Certificates[5]
- Transfer of ownership and change of address in registration records[5]
- Issue and renewal of permits for transport and commercial vehicles[5]
- Conduct of vehicle fitness tests and certification
- Levy and collection of motor vehicle tax and road tax[5]
- Assignment of registration marks and issue of number plates
- Regulation and monitoring of public transport vehicles
- Road safety promotion, accident prevention and traffic enforcement initiatives[5]
Hierarchy (Ranks)
The following is the rank structure of the executive cadre of the Department:[5]
- Transport Commissioner (IPS Cadre)
- Additional Transport Commissioner (Ex Cadre)
- Joint Transport Commissioner (Jt.TC)
- Senior Deputy Transport Commissioner (Sr. Dy TC)
- Deputy Transport Commissioner (Dy.TC)
- Regional Transport Officer (RTO) / Assistant Transport Commissioner (ATC)
- Joint Regional Transport Officer (Jt. RTO)
- Motor Vehicles Inspector (MVI)
- Assistant Motor Vehicles Inspector (AMVI)
In Media
Initiatives
Technological Advancements: AI Cameras (2023-Present)
In 2023, the Kerala Motor Vehicles Department (MVD) became the first transport department in India to implement a large-scale Artificial Intelligence (AI) camera system for traffic violation detection and road safety enforcement. This initiative, known as the "Safe Kerala" scheme, involved the installation of 726 cameras across the state. The AI cameras detect violations such as not wearing helmets and seat belts, overspeeding, careless driving, three people travelling on a two-wheeler among others.
Out of the total cameras, 692 were designated for automated fine imposition. During a trial run period, these cameras successfully identified a significant number of traffic violations. MVD officials reported capturing around 4.5 lakh violations, with some cameras detecting as many as 2,500 offenses daily. Following the official launch in April 2023, the number of violations captured by the cameras reportedly dropped to around 2 lakh per day, suggesting a positive impact on driver behavior.[9][10][11][12][13][14][15] [16][17]
Controversies
In a recent dispute between the Kerala Motor Vehicles Department (MVD) and the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB), tensions escalated after the MVD imposed a significant fine on a KSEB contract vehicle for various traffic violations. The fine was issued based on evidence captured by AI-powered traffic surveillance cameras. In retaliation, the KSEB reportedly cut power supply to MVD offices in certain regions, leading to disruptions in the department's operations. While the KSEB claimed the power cut was a routine procedure due to non-payment of bills, there were allegations that it was a deliberate act of retaliation.
See also
- Government of Kerala
- Kerala Police
- Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), Government of India
References
[18][19][20]
- ^ https://mvd.kerala.gov.in/en/directory
- ^ https://mvd.kerala.gov.in/en/directory
- ^ Kerala Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989 (PDF) (Government Notification (S.R.O. No. 1286/89)). Motor Vehicles Department, Government of Kerala. Retrieved 9 January 2026.
- ^ Network, Elets News (2024-09-14). "9 IPS transferred in Kerala, C Nagaraju made State Transport Commissioner". Elets eGov. Retrieved 2025-07-08.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Kerala Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989 (PDF) (Government Notification (S.R.O. No. 1286/89)). Motor Vehicles Department, Government of Kerala. Retrieved 9 January 2026.
- ^ "Kerala ADGP Sreejith transferred from Crime Branch, posted as Transport Commissioner". The News Minute. 2022-04-23. Retrieved 2022-07-08.
- ^ "Organizational structure, functions and responsibilities of Motor Vehicles Department".
- ^ "Citizen charter of Motor vehicle Department" (PDF). 2011.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Kerala: AI cameras detect 38,520 traffic violations in first 12 hours of implementation". India Today. 2023-06-06. Retrieved 2024-12-04.
- ^ "AI cameras run successfully; violations reduced considerably: Kerala MVD". English.Mathrubhumi. 2023-05-02. Retrieved 2024-12-04.
- ^ "AI-powered cameras to monitor Kerala roads from Thursday: Refresh your road rules awareness". English.Mathrubhumi. 2023-04-19. Retrieved 2024-12-04.
- ^ "AI camera: Kerala MVD to convene high-level meeting on May 24". English.Mathrubhumi. 2023-05-22. Retrieved 2024-12-04.
- ^ Daily, Keralakaumudi. "Youth fined Rs 86,500 after AI camera captures him 155 times without helmet". Keralakaumudi Daily. Retrieved 2024-12-04.
- ^ Service, Express News (2023-11-12). "Apparition or plain hallucination?: 'Unidentified' female figures in AI camera images leave Kerala motor vehicle department spooked". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 2024-12-04.
- ^ "Youth caught changing number plate 51 times to cheat AI cameras, fined Rs 60,000". English.Mathrubhumi. 2023-10-05. Retrieved 2024-12-04.
- ^ Cheriyan, George (2023-06-20). "Road safety: Kerala's AI camera project shows promising results | Policy Circle". Retrieved 2024-12-04.
- ^ Kallungal, Dhinesh (2024-07-07). "Within a year, MVD strikes it rich through AI cameras". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2024-12-04.
- ^ aishwarya.nair. "Kerala: Motor Vehicle Department slaps fine on KSEB, latter pulls plug over delay in bill payments". Asianet News Network Pvt Ltd. Retrieved 2024-12-04.
- ^ "KSEB disrupts electricity supply to MVD office in Kalpetta". English.Mathrubhumi. 2023-06-27. Retrieved 2024-12-04.
- ^ Service, Express News (2023-06-28). "Days after being fined, KSEB removes fuse of MVD office". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 2024-12-04.
External links
- Official website of Kerala Motor Vehicles Department
- Online vehicle services ('Vahan') (India) Archived 2023-03-05 at the Wayback Machine
- Online driving licence services ('Sarathi') (India)
