AliciaPaschall at 13:29, 24 February 2026

2026-02-24T13:29:26Z

New page

{{refimprove|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox law enforcement agency
| agencyname = Kerala Motor Vehicles Department
| nativenamea = {{lang|ml|മോട്ടോർ വാഹന വകുപ്പ്, കേരളം}}
| logo = MVD Kerala Logo Resized.png
| logocaption = Logo of Kerala MVD
| image_size = 120
| abbreviation = MVD
| motto = Safety, Service, Technology
| mottotranslated = <small>സുരക്ഷ- സേവനം-സങ്കേതിക വിദ്യ </small>
| country = India
| divname = [[Kerala]]
| governingbody = [[Department of Transport (Kerala)|Transport Department]], [[Government of Kerala]]
| constitution1 = Section 213 of [[Motor Vehicles Act]] (1988)
| constitution2 = Kerala Motor Vehicles Taxation Act, 1976
| speciality1 = vehicle
| speciality2 = road
| speciality3 = tax
| oversightbody =
| headquarters = Transport Commissionerate, Trans Towers, [[Vazhuthacaud]], [[Thiruvananthapuram]].
| electeetype = Minister
| minister1name = [[K. B. Ganesh Kumar]]
| minister1pfo = Minister for Transport
| chief1name = Nagaraju Chakilam [[Indian Police Service|IPS]]
| chief1position = Transport Commissioner
| chief2name = P.S Pramoj Sanker [[IOFS]]
| chief2position = Additional Transport Commissioner
| unittype = [[List of Regional Transport Office districts in Kerala|RTO]]
| unitname = 18 <ref>https://mvd.kerala.gov.in/en/directory</ref>
| officetype = [[List of Regional Transport Office districts in Kerala|Sub RTO]]
| officename = 69 <ref>https://mvd.kerala.gov.in/en/directory</ref>
| stationtype = [[Enforcement]] [[Regional Transport Office|RTO]]
| stations = 14
| website = https://mvd.kerala.gov.in
}}

The '''Kerala Motor Vehicles Department''', colloquially known as the '''MVD''' or '''Kerala MVD''', is the [[Department of motor vehicles|motor vehicle]] [[law enforcement agency]] under the [[Department of Transport (Kerala)|Transport Department]] of the [[Government of Kerala]]. It is responsible for the enforcement of motor vehicle laws, issuing [[Driver's license|driving licences]], [[Motor vehicle registration|registering motor vehicles]], ensuring [[road safety]], and the levy and collection of [[road tax]] in the state.<ref>{{Cite report
| title = Kerala Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989
| publisher = Motor Vehicles Department, Government of Kerala
| url = https://mvd.kerala.gov.in/sites/default/files/Downloads/KMVR.pdf
| access-date = 9 January 2026
| type = Government Notification (S.R.O. No. 1286/89)
}}</ref> The department is administered by the Transport Commissioner who is the Head of the Department. The current Transport Commissioner is Nagaraju Chakilam, [[Indian Police Service|IPS]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Network |first=Elets News |date=2024-09-14 |title=9 IPS transferred in Kerala, C Nagaraju made State Transport Commissioner |url=https://egov.eletsonline.com/2024/09/9-ips-transferred-in-kerala-c-nagaraju-made-state-transport-commissioner/ |access-date=2025-07-08 |website=Elets eGov |language=en}}</ref>

It is primarily responsible for enforcing the [[Motor Vehicles Act|Central Motor Vehicles Act, 1988]], and its associated rules and regulations within the state of [[Kerala]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite report
| title = Kerala Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989
| publisher = Motor Vehicles Department, Government of Kerala
| url = https://mvd.kerala.gov.in/sites/default/files/Downloads/KMVR.pdf
| access-date = 9 January 2026
| type = Government Notification (S.R.O. No. 1286/89)
}}</ref>

== 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 [[Indian Police Service|IPS]] officer of the rank of [[Additional director general of police|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.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-04-23 |title=Kerala ADGP Sreejith transferred from Crime Branch, posted as Transport Commissioner |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/kerala-adgp-sreejith-transferred-crime-branch-posted-transport-commissioner-163195 |access-date=2022-07-08 |website=The News Minute |language=en}}</ref> 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).
{| class="wikitable"
! Sl. No.
! Zone
! Administrative jurisdiction<ref>{{Cite web|title=Wayback Machine|url=https://mvd.kerala.gov.in/sites/default/files/Downloads/2016%20-%202017.pdf|website=mvd.kerala.gov.in|access-date=2026-02-01|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20240905000455/https://mvd.kerala.gov.in/sites/default/files/Downloads/2016%20-%202017.pdf|archive-date=2024-09-05}}</ref>
|-
| 1
| South Zone
(HQ: [[Thiruvananthapuram]])
| RTOs and Sub RTOs in [[Thiruvananthapuram district|Thiruvananthapuram]], [[Kollam district|Kollam]], [[Pathanamthitta district|Pathanamthitta]], and [[Alappuzha district|Alappuzha]] districts
|-
| 2
| Central Zone-I
(HQ: [[Thrissur]])
| RTOs and SRTOs in [[Thrissur district|Thrissur]], [[Palakkad district|Palakkad]], and [[Malappuram district|Malappuram]] districts
|-
| 3
| Central Zone-II
(HQ: [[Ernakulam|Eranakulam]])
| RTOs and SRTOs in [[Kottayam district|Kottayam]], [[Idukki district|Idukki]], and [[Ernakulam district|Ernakulam]] districts
|-
| 4
| North Zone
(HQ: [[Kozhikode]])
| RTOs and SRTOs in [[Kozhikode district|Kozhikode]], [[Kannur district|Kannur]], [[Wayanad district|Wayanad]], and [[Kasaragod district|Kasaragod]] districts
|}

===Regional Transport Offices (RTOs)===
{{Main|List of Regional Transport Office districts in Kerala}}
The MVD has two functional wings: Enforcement Wing and Administration Wing.

There are 19 [[Regional Transport Office|Regional Transport Offices]] (RTOs) responsible for transport administration, including [[Motor vehicle registration|vehicle registration]], [[Driver's license|issuance of driving licences]], and other vehicle- and licence-related services. It includes two Special RTOs located at Thiruvananthapuram—one for the nationalised sector ([[Kerala State Road Transport Corporation|KSRTC]] vehicle registration) and another for government vehicles (KL-90).<ref>{{Cite web|title=Kerala introduces special ‘KL-90’ registration series for government vehicles; KSRTC to retain ‘KL-15’|url=https://english.mathrubhumi.com/news/kerala/kerala-govt-vehicles-new-kl-90-registration-jkaw43up|website=@mathrubhumi|date=2025-10-31|access-date=2026-02-01|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Govt vehicles to be registered under 'KL 90', KSRTC to continue as KL 15|url=https://keralakaumudi.com/en/news/news.php?id=1638436&u=govt-vehicles-to-be-registered-under-kl-90-ksrtc-to-continue-as-kl-15|website=Keralakaumudi Daily|access-date=2026-02-01|language=en|first=Keralakaumudi|last=Daily}}</ref>

=== Enforcement Regional Transport Offices ===
Kerala has 14 Enforcement Regional Transport Offices (RTOs), one in each district, responsible for road safety enforcement and the implementation of motor vehicle laws within their respective jurisdictions.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Order giving sweeping powers to Enforcement RTOs welcomed|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/order-giving-sweeping-powers-to-enforcement-rtos-welcomed/article38419696.ece|work=The Hindu|date=2022-02-12|access-date=2026-02-01|issn=0971-751X|language=en-IN|first=John L.|last=Paul}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Organizational structure, functions and responsibilities of Motor Vehicles Department. |url=https://mvd.kerala.gov.in/en/organization-structure}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=New RTO enforcement office to come up under Safe Kerala Project|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/thiruvananthapuram/new-rto-enforcement-office-to-come-up-under-safe-kerala-project/articleshow/68142936.cms|work=The Times of India|date=2019-02-25|access-date=2026-02-01|issn=0971-8257}}</ref> The MVD Enforcement Wing comprises 14 RTOs, 65 Motor Vehicle Inspectors and 187 Assistant Motor Vehicles Inspectors.<ref>{{Cite news|title=No drivers posted for MVD’s enforcement fleet|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/no-drivers-posted-for-mvds-enforcement-fleet/article35014264.ece|work=The Hindu|date=2021-06-28|access-date=2026-02-01|issn=0971-751X|language=en-IN|first=John L.|last=Paul}}</ref>

===Sub Regional Transport Offices===
{{Main|List of Regional Transport Office districts in Kerala#Sub Regional Transport Offices|l1 = List of Sub Regional Transport Offices in Kerala}}

Sub-regional Transport Offices are headed by joint regional transport officers (JRTOs). There are 68 SRTO offices across the state.

{| class="wikitable"
|+ Sanctioned strength of the Motor Vehicles Department (MVD)<ref>{{Cite web |date=2011 |title=Citizen charter of Motor vehicle Department |url=https://mvd.kerala.gov.in/sites/default/files/Downloads/citizencharter.pdf |url-status=live}}</ref>
! Category
! Post
! Sanctioned strength
|-
| rowspan="10" | 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
|-
| rowspan="9" | 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<ref name=":0" />
* Issue and renewal of driving licences and learner’s licences<ref name=":0" />
* Registration of motor vehicles and issue of Registration Certificates<ref name=":0" />
* Transfer of ownership and change of address in registration records<ref name=":0" />
* Issue and renewal of permits for transport and [[Commercial vehicle|commercial vehicles]]<ref name=":0" />
* Conduct of vehicle fitness tests and certification
* Levy and collection of motor vehicle tax and [[road tax]]<ref name=":0" />
* 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<ref name=":0" />

== Rank structure==
The following is the rank structure of the executive cadre of the Department:<ref name=":0" />
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+
! Title
! Insignia
! Notes
|-
| colspan="2" | Transport Commissioner
| Post held by an [[Indian Police Service|IPS]] officer on deputation.
|-
| colspan="2" | Additional Transport Commissioner
| Ex-cadre post
|-
| colspan="2" | Joint Transport Commissioner (Jt. TC)
| Managerial/administrative role
|-
| colspan="2" | Senior Deputy Transport Commissioner (Sr. Dy. TC)
| Managerial/administrative role
|-
| colspan="2" | Deputy Transport Commissioner (Dy. TC)
| Zonal-level supervisory officer.
|-
| Regional Transport Officer (RTO) / Assistant Transport Commissioner (ATC)
|[[File:Regional Transport Officer (RTO) Rank Insignia (Kerala).png|50px]]
| Head of a [[Regional Transport Office]]
|-
| Joint Regional Transport Officer (Jt. RTO)
|[[File:Joint RTO rank insignia (Kerala).png|50px]]
| Head of a Sub-Regional Transport Office
|-
| Motor Vehicles Inspector (MVI)
|[[File:Rank insignia of Motor Vehicle Inspector in Kerala.png|104x104px]]
| Field-level executive officer
|-
| Assistant Motor Vehicles Inspector (AMVI)
|[[File:Insignia of Assistant Motor Vehicle Inspector (Kerala).png|106x106px]]
| Entry-level executive post
|}

== 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|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.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-06-06 |title=Kerala: AI cameras detect 38,520 traffic violations in first 12 hours of implementation |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/ai-cameras-in-kerala-detect-38520-traffic-violations-in-the-first-12-hours-of-implementation-2389396-2023-06-06 |access-date=2024-12-04 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-05-02 |title=AI cameras run successfully; violations reduced considerably: Kerala MVD |url=https://english.mathrubhumi.com/news/kerala/ai-cameras-run-successfully-violations-reduced-considerably-kerala-mvd-1.8523250 |access-date=2024-12-04 |website=English.Mathrubhumi |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-04-19 |title=AI-powered cameras to monitor Kerala roads from Thursday: Refresh your road rules awareness |url=https://english.mathrubhumi.com/news/kerala/ai-powered-cameras-to-monitor-kerala-roads-from-thursday-refresh-your-road-rules-awareness-1.8491113 |access-date=2024-12-04 |website=English.Mathrubhumi |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-05-22 |title=AI camera: Kerala MVD to convene high-level meeting on May 24 |url=https://english.mathrubhumi.com/news/kerala/kerala-mvd-to-convene-high-level-meeting-to-discuss-ai-camera-operation-ites-1.8578682 |access-date=2024-12-04 |website=English.Mathrubhumi |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Daily |first=Keralakaumudi |title=Youth fined Rs 86,500 after AI camera captures him 155 times without helmet |url=https://keralakaumudi.com/en/news/news.php?id=1185417&u=youth-fined-rs-86500-after-ai-camera-captures-him-155-times-without-helmet-1185417 |access-date=2024-12-04 |website=Keralakaumudi Daily |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Service |first=Express News |date=2023-11-12 |title=Apparition or plain hallucination?: ‘Unidentified’ female figures in AI camera images leave Kerala motor vehicle department spooked |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2023/Nov/12/apparition-or-plain-hallucination-unidentified-female-figures-in-ai-camera-images-leavekerala-motor-vehicle-department-spooked-2632259.html |access-date=2024-12-04 |website=The New Indian Express |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-10-05 |title=Youth caught changing number plate 51 times to cheat AI cameras, fined Rs 60,000 |url=https://english.mathrubhumi.com/news/kerala/youth-caught-changing-number-plate-51-times-to-cheat-ai-cameras-fined-rs-60-000-1.8960184 |access-date=2024-12-04 |website=English.Mathrubhumi |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Cheriyan |first=George |date=2023-06-20 |title=Road safety: Kerala's AI camera project shows promising results {{!}} Policy Circle |url=https://www.policycircle.org/opinion/keralas-ai-camera-project-success/ |access-date=2024-12-04 |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Kallungal |first=Dhinesh |date=2024-07-07 |title=Within a year, MVD strikes it rich through AI cameras |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/within-a-year-mvd-strikes-it-rich-through-ai-cameras/article68378601.ece |access-date=2024-12-04 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

== 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==
<ref>{{Cite web |last=aishwarya.nair |title=Kerala: Motor Vehicle Department slaps fine on KSEB, latter pulls plug over delay in bill payments |url=https://newsable.asianetnews.com/india/kerala-motor-vehicle-department-slaps-fine-on-kseb-latter-pulls-plug-over-delay-in-bill-payments-anr-rx25s1 |access-date=2024-12-04 |website=Asianet News Network Pvt Ltd |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-06-27 |title=KSEB disrupts electricity supply to MVD office in Kalpetta |url=https://english.mathrubhumi.com/news/kerala/kseb-disrupts-electricity-supply-to-mvd-office-in-kalpetta-1.8680228 |access-date=2024-12-04 |website=English.Mathrubhumi |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Service |first=Express News |date=2023-06-28 |title=Days after being fined, KSEB removes fuse of MVD office |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2023/Jun/28/days-after-being-fined-kseb-removes-fuse-of-mvd-office-2589145.html |access-date=2024-12-04 |website=The New Indian Express |language=en}}</ref>
{{Reflist}}
== External links ==
* [https://mvd.kerala.gov.in Official website of Kerala Motor Vehicles Department]
* [https://vahan.parivahan.gov.in Online vehicle services ('Vahan') (India)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230305182556/https://parivahan.gov.in/parivahan/ |date=2023-03-05 }}
* [https://sarathi.parivahan.gov.in Online driving licence services ('Sarathi') (India)]

[[Category:Specialist law enforcement agencies of India]]
[[Category:State agencies of Kerala]]
[[Category:Road transport in India]]
[[Category:State law enforcement agencies of India]]
[[Category:Law enforcement in Kerala]]

Kerala Motor Vehicles Department - Revision history

AliciaPaschall at 13:29, 24 February 2026