How to Get Permit for Rohtang Pass ?

by Vargis.Khan

After a lot of confusion, drama and speculations Rohtang Pass was finally declared open a few days ago. In all my years of blogging, I don’t believe I have ever seen instances where Rohtang was open and closed so many times like it happened this year. From the time it was first opened in April first week the pass was closed at least 5 to 6 times until it was finally opened now. Well at least this time it is final and the roads across towards Ladakh and Spiti too were declared open earlier this week. For people traveling towards either Ladakh and Spiti, or just to Rohtang below is where we stand in terms of how to get permit for Rohtang pass this year. I will include information on different kind of permits available, how to apply for those, and some other updates from this year.

permit for rohtang pass

Rohtang Pass Permits 2018

Rohtang Pass Permits is a permission issued by DM office Manali for any vehicle to be allowed to travel to Rohtang La. This permit is issued on per vehicle basis and includes both cars and two wheeler. It is however not needed if you are cycling to Rohtang or traveling by either HPTDC or HRTC Bus. It is not issued on per person basis. So if you were 4 people traveling in one car, then the permit will be needed for one car and not four people in it. If you are trekking or cycling to the pass, you are free to go without a permit.

Also read: How to Plan a Trip to Rohtang Pass

Rohtang Pass Tourist Permit

There are two types of permits available for Rohtang Pass. One is for people visiting Rohtang from Manali which is known as the tourist permit. With this permit, you will only be allowed to travel to Rohtang and then will have to return to Manali on same day. You cannot go all the way to Rohtang top or cross it over towards Keylong. For this permit, you will need to pay a sum of Rs. 500 as permit fee and Rs. 50 congestion charge, so a total of Rs. 550 per vehicle. Heavy motor vehicles like buses, trucks and tempo travelers will have to pay Rs. 100 for congestion charge so a total of Rs. 600 per permit. The farthest you can go with this permit is Snow point on Rohtang Road.

This is the permit which is limited in number; only 1200 per day; is issued on first come first serve basis; and is becoming hard to get these days.

Beyond Rohtang Pass Permit

Second permit is called Beyond Rohtang Permit. This permit is issued for people who want to cross Rohtang over and then travel towards Ladakh, Spiti or Lahaul Valley. Using this permit, you will have to cross over Rohtang and cannot come back to Manali the same day. If you try to come back, you will be stopped at the check post and fined for it. For this permit, you will only have to pay a congestion charge of Rs. 50. Permit of Rs. 500 is not applicable for this permit. This is the permit which is not limited in number and is comparatively easier to get.

In both the cases, There will no refund if you do not use or try to cancel your permit.

If you were feeling a little smart and thinking about getting beyond Rohtang Permit because it is easier; or because you want to go all the way to the top; then please do not attempt to do so. There are check posts at both side of the Pass. Your pass and vehicle will be registered at both the check points. So if you obtained a Beyond Rohtang permit, you must cross the pass over, and come back only the next day. If you went till the top and returned on the same date; you will be stopped and fined heavily at Gulaba check post.

Documents Required

For getting a permit for Rohtang Pass, you will be asked to submit your vehicle’s pollution under control certificate; registration certificate, and your permanent driving license. Your vehicle should also not be over 10 years old. This is applicable for both four and two wheeler.

How to Get Rohtang Pass Permit?

You can get the permit either in person from DM office Manali; or apply for it online. If getting in person, you will first go to SDM office to deposit your documents between 10 AM till 1 PM. In order to collector the permit however, you will have to visit the office again between 3 PM to 5 PM. There is no way that you can get the permit before 3 PM; at the time you submitted the documents. It is time consuming process and will eat your entire day.

Rohtang Pass Permit Online Booking

Getting the permits online is however a bit easier. I have explained the entire step by step procedure at this article, How to Apply for Rohtang Pass Permit Online.

Rohtang Pass Permit App

The only change implemented this year in terms of Rohtang permits was the introduction of a mobile app. You can download this app from Google Play store. The app however can only be used to check availability of permits, validate your already issued permit, check status of your permit, and to download a copy of it. You cannot apply for the permit using mobile app. To get the permit, you will still either have to visit the SDM office in person, or visit the website.

Rules & Regulations

There is no change in terms of the rules applicable for these permits this year. For tourism purpose permits, a daily limit of 800 petrol vehicles and 400 Diesel vehicles is in effect. There is however no restriction in terms of number of vehicles for beyond Rohtang Permits. You still need the permit only when you are traveling from Manali to Rohtang. No permit is needed if you are coming from the other side of the pass towards Manali.

For Tourist Permit,
  • Daily Permit Limit applicable remains to be 800 Petrol Vehicles and 400 Diesel Vehicles
  • The permits can be obtained online in two time frames:
    • 1000 hrs (200 Diesel and 400 Petrol)
    • 1600 hrs (200 Diesel and 400 Petrol)
  • In a week (Tuesday to Monday) only 3 permits can be obtained for each vehicle.
  • No Vehicles are allowed on Tuesday as the day is marked for maintenance of Rohtang Pass.
  • Permits can only be applied for next 6 days from the current date.
  • Printout is compulsory for all permissions.
  • Vehicles with incorrect information on permit as compared to valid proofs will not be allowed to cross the barrier.
  • Congestion Charges are applicable for all vehicles crossing Gulaba Bridge. This tax is paid on daily basis and is valid for one day only (To & Fro).
For Beyond Rohtang Permit
  • You are only required to pay the congestion of Rs. 50 or Rs. 100 for good vehicle.
  • This tax is paid on daily basis and is valid for one day only (To & Fro).
  • No Vehicles are allowed on Tuesday as the day is marked for maintenance of Rohtang Pass.
  • Congestion Fees can only be paid for next 6 days from the current date.
  • Printout is compulsory for all permissions.
  • Vehicles with incorrect information on congestion fee slip as compared to valid proofs will not be allowed to cross the barrier.
  • In a week (Tuesday to Monday) only 2 permits can be obtained for each vehicle.

Permit for Rohtang Pass

I hope the information above on how to get permit for Rohtang Pass was of help. If you have any other questions; please feel free to ask in the comments section below; or at our Community Forum; and I will be glad to answer.

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34 comments

Aman June 6, 2019 - 3:10 am

Sir, For the four days, I am trying to avail of Beyond Rohtang Permit. However, the message I am getting on admin’s website is that ” Either Window for Applying Permit is Closed or Quota Finished”. I tried to apply even just after midnight but to no avail

Reply
Vargis.Khan June 6, 2019 - 3:13 am

They must already have sold out plenty of those Aman Bhai and that is why keeping the quote closed for now

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Taran Suri June 10, 2019 - 8:28 am

“There is however no restriction in terms of number of vehicles for beyond Rohtang Permits.”

Given that there is no limit on vehicles going beyond Rohtang, what does ‘sold out’ mean here?

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Vargis.Khan June 10, 2019 - 8:33 am

It means that too many people have bought it and they had to put a temporary stop.

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sumit kumar June 4, 2019 - 4:28 am

vargis bhai plz tell me how i book online electric bus ticket for rohtang ,,,and also tell me the procedure for getting electric bus ticket and how much cost

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sumit June 7, 2019 - 4:15 am

plz give reply vargis bhai

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Vargis.Khan June 7, 2019 - 2:11 pm Reply
Arpit Gupta June 2, 2019 - 2:47 pm

Can I change vehicle details after I get rohtang pass permit?

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Vargis.Khan June 2, 2019 - 3:20 pm

No you cannot

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Dinesh May 30, 2019 - 3:15 am

Is Rohtang permit required from Leh side to reach Manali

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Vargis.Khan May 30, 2019 - 9:46 am

No

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AP Singh May 7, 2019 - 8:25 pm

Hello Vargis Bhai…. for beyond Rohtang tour to ladskh….can the congestion charge be paid at Gulaba barrier or it is compulsory to get it online…?

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Lovnish chauhan May 2, 2019 - 2:46 pm

When we rented a bike in Manali for Rohtang pass…then permit is necessary for this bike??

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Vargis.Khan May 2, 2019 - 5:31 pm

Yes

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Abhijit Sonkar June 6, 2019 - 12:57 pm

Can we have delhi to srinagar to leh to manali route if we dont get rohtang pass online

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Vargis.Khan June 6, 2019 - 4:22 pm

Yes you can

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Bivash Kumar Ganguly February 14, 2019 - 11:36 am

Dear Sir

how many days before electronic bus for rohtang can be booked, is there any cancellation procedure or money back ?
thanks & Regards

Reply
Vargis.Khan February 14, 2019 - 6:58 pm

There is no cancellation or refund option available as far as I know Bivash. Please see the article below for more details.

https://vargiskhan.com/log/rohtang-pass-electric-bus-fare-book/

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AmitPandey August 30, 2018 - 2:16 pm

Hi Vargis bhai – Hope you remember me, took your expert guidance around a month back for my leh trip, it is yet to commence and i have another question. I will start from Manali to Leh on 16th( Sep) morning ( sunday) . I plan to engage a taxi that day itself since I have time, my question is whether i can take “beyond rohtang” pass the same day online and just print and travel..though this is taxiwala’s headache but just wanted to be sure about it. I hope there is no office/RTO involvement in terms of some stamp/approval etc.

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Vargis.Khan August 30, 2018 - 7:09 pm

Hi Amit Bhai – How have you been? If you applied for the permit online then you just need to take a printout and be on your way. No RTO involvement at all.

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Akshay July 26, 2018 - 3:30 pm

Hi, we are planning to travel rohtang on monday with rented bikes. Can we return on the same day?. Bikes returning from kyelang towards manali allowed on Tuesday?

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Vargis.Khan July 26, 2018 - 4:56 pm

Yes you can return on the same day if you have tourist permit and yes, bikes coming from Keylong are allowed to cross over on Tuesday.

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Akshay July 27, 2018 - 5:41 am

Hi vargis, thanks for the reply. I contacted a rented bike store. They said its not legal to return on the same day from rohtang pass, if you are travelling in bike. Any truth in this?

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Vargis.Khan July 27, 2018 - 12:38 pm

Hi Akshay – That is not correct. If you have a tourist permit for rohtang then you will return the same day, every tourist does it. The only people who come back the next day are the ones who have a beyond rohtang permit to cross it over towards Lahaul valley.

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Varun June 28, 2018 - 6:34 am

Sir m going to leh from manali on 9 jul and can i take my relative car to reach leh n can i get permit of rohtang easily

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Vargis.Khan June 28, 2018 - 2:54 pm

Yes you can and yes you can get the permit easily

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Praveen Mehta June 25, 2018 - 10:58 am

Dear vargis we r planning a trip to Manali next week from kinaaur via spiti valley and also want to visit rohtang pass. we r basically from shimla District and vehicle is hp registered .Do we need to make permit to cross the rohtang pass. If yes how much time will take to register or can we get the pass on the spot .kindly guide me for this tour .

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Vargis.Khan June 25, 2018 - 2:16 pm

Hi Praveen – If your plan is Shimla – Kinnaur – Spiti – Manali then you do not really need a permit. It is only required when you approach Rohtang from Manali side.

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Robin June 20, 2018 - 5:24 am

Sir bus ka kitna fare hai one person ka or bacho ka kitne year se start hai fare or ticket easy se mil jati hai ya nhi or hum 29 jun ko subah jana chahte hai rohtak paas or bus return kis time chalti hai waha se

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Vargis.Khan June 20, 2018 - 3:14 pm

Aapko bus ticket ek din pehle lena padega. Bus 2 ghante rukti hai uper and phir vaapis aa jaati hai. Kiraya takreeban 300 se 400 ke beech padega per person. Bachche ka bhi ticket lagega.

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Nihaar Shah June 11, 2018 - 6:47 am

Hello. I’m travelling to Leh via Manali by HRTC bus. Would I need a beyond Rohtang pass permit?

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Vargis.Khan June 11, 2018 - 6:08 pm

Rohtang permit is not needed if you are going by a Bus.

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Sateesh Kumar May 26, 2018 - 7:05 am

Vargis Bhai, Is Rohtang Pass permit required if I’m travelling by HRTC bus?

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Shakir Ahmad June 2, 2018 - 12:55 pm

Hello Vargis khan bhai. Actually Bhai me ye janna chahta hu k “Rohtang Pass permit aur Special Rohtang Pass permit me kya Fark h. Aur two wheelers k liye permit mandatory hai ya nhi? Kyu k official website par two wheeler k permit k liye koi bhi information, Option aur Link nahi mili. Please give full information about two wheelers permit.

Reply

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