Leh/Kargil, Ladakh – The Office of the Regional Transport Officer (RTO), UT Ladakh, has released updated guidelines concerning the issuance and renewal of Trade Licenses under the Rent a Motor Cycle Scheme, 1997. Circular No. 01, dated May 24, 2025, outlines the application process, eligibility criteria, and additional conditions for operating a rent-a-bike business in the region.
According to the circular, the application for a new or renewed Trade License must be made in Form 1 to the Licensing Authority, accompanied by a fee of ₹1,000. Applicants must fulfill all prerequisites mentioned in Para 5 of the Scheme, detailed in Form 2, which includes possessing good moral character, adequate facilities for housing and maintenance of vehicles, sufficient financial resources, and maintaining a minimum of five motor cycles with valid permits and insurance.
Furthermore, the new guidelines stipulate that trade licenses will be subject to several additional conditions. These include full compliance with the provisions of the Rent a Bike Scheme, 1997, issuance of a No Objection Certificate (NOC) by the Senior Superintendent of Police (Traffic) before granting a license, and a cap of a maximum of 50 motorcycles that can be registered under a single Trade License.
In a significant point, the circular clarifies that as a one-time exception, motorcycles originally purchased by the respective agencies shall be considered for conversion to commercial use. However, second-hand motorcycles purchased subsequently by the agencies will not be entertained under the scheme.
The RTO has urged all stakeholders and concerned parties to take note of these guidelines and ensure strict compliance. All essential requisites mentioned in Paragraph 2 of the circular must be submitted in the form of an affidavit. Non-adherence to these prescribed guidelines may lead to delays or rejection of applications.