How to get Rohtang Pass Permit for Bike

by Vargis.Khan

How to get Rohtang Pass Permit for Bike

Rohtang Pass is the biggest attraction that Manali has to offer but it comes with a catch. In order to visit it, you need to get a permit that is issued on a daily basis and in a limited number. Irrespective of whether your bike was personally owned or a rented one, you will have to get a permit to take it to or across the pass. In this post, I will provide details on how to get Rohtang Pass permit for bike.

Ever since the whole concept of a permit to either visit or cross over Rohtang was started by NGT, it has more or less become a hassle for everyone traveling in that direction. While this definitely helps in terms of the environment and restoring the fragile ecology of Rohtang, it is no less than a nightmare for tourists. Whether you just want to get to the top of the pass or cross it, you need to have a permit for the same. Without it, you will be stopped and sent back from the Gulaba checkpoint.

Please note that in this post, I will only discuss the procedure and cost to get a Rohtang pass permit for bikes. For other details on visiting Rohtang, please read How to Plan a Trip to Rohtang Pass.

Do you need Rohtang Permits for Bikes?

First of all, the answer to the question is yes you do need to obtain a permit to cross over Rohtang even if you are on a motorcycle. It does not really matter if it is or self-owned or a rented motorcycle, you will need to obtain the permit nonetheless. Even Himachal registered bikes are required to get the permit.

How to get Rohtang Pass Permit for Bike

Which Permit do you Need for a Bike?

The second question is how do you obtain the permit? Currently, there are three kinds of permits being issued. The first one is a permit for traveling to Rohtang Pass. It is called ‘Permit for Tourism Purpose’ or simply known as ‘Rohtang Pass Permit. This is issued to both private tourists-owned vehicles as well as the taxis.

A total of 1200 permits are issued under this category which is further divided as 800 for petrol and 400 for Diesel run vehicles.

The second category called ‘Special Rohtang Pass permit’ is for private vehicles only, with a white number plate. Commercial vehicles cannot apply for this permit. A total of 100 permits are issued under this category broken down into 60 for petrol and 40 for Diesel run engines.

The third category is to travel beyond Rohtang pass towards Ladakh or Lahaul & Spiti Valleys. It is called ‘Beyond Rohtang Pass’ and is also known as ‘Permit for travel purpose’. There is no limit that applies to this permit.

So depending on whether you were just visiting Rohtang or crossing the pass over, you can pick either of these categories to apply.

Also Read: How to Plan a Trip to Manali – A Complete Travel Guide

How to get Rohtang Pass Permit for Bike?

There are two ways to get the permit. You can either apply for it in person at the SDM office in Manali or you can get the permit beforehand on the online portal.

When I say a bike, the permit is needed only for motorcycles. There is no permit required if you were cycling from Manali to Rohtang.

The Permit is issued on a per-vehicle basis and not per person. So if you were traveling with a pillion, you will still need to get only one permit for the bike and not two permits for two people.

How to get Rohtang Pass Permit for Bike

SDM Office Manali

Permits at the SDM office, Manali will be issued all 7 days (yes on Sundays too). The SDM office is open from 10 am to 5 pm except for Sunday and the second Saturday of the month. On these days, the office is open only until noon.

In order to get the permit, you will need to produce your driver’s license, your vehicle’s RC, and a pollution certificate. Keep in mind though that vehicles over 10 years old will not be allowed to travel towards Rohtang. For motorcycles, the bar is set at 15 years or older.

You will first have to go to the office in the morning and apply for it. The permit will not be handed over to you immediately. You will again have to visit the office later in the day, between 3 PM to 5 PM to collect it. So yes, the process will eat up your entire day. The time needed and the process will remain the same for both visiting Rohtang and beyond Rohtang Permits.

Online Portal

If you do not want to go through the hassle of visiting the SDM office, you can apply for the permit on the Online Portal. The process is fairly simple. Chose between the three permit categories, enter your vehicle details, make payment and you have the permit.

There is a high chance that you may notice the portal to be closed at times. This will happen if the online quota for a certain day is already closed. Another thing to note is that on the online portal, you can only get the permit 7 days in advance, not for longer than that.

Also Read: When is the Best time to visit Rohtang Pass

Mobile App

A mobile app for Rohtang Permit was launched in 2018 and it can be downloaded from Google Play Store. It is available for both Android and iOS devices/mobiles.

Using the app, you can check the validity of your permit by entering the permit number, vehicle number, and date of journey, or by scanning the barcode on the permit. The app can also be used to check the availability of Rohtang Pass permit on a certain date. Using the app, you can also print a copy of your permit.

The option of applying for a permit is not yet available in the mobile app. It could be a feature coming in the near future but cannot be commented on right now.

sunny sharma

Rohtang Pass Permit Cost for Bike

The cost of the permit is different for bikes and 4-wheels. For Cars, the cost of the permit will be a total of a sum of Rs. 500 as permit fee and Rs. 50 congestion charge, so a total of Rs. 550 per permit. Buses and Heavy motor vehicles will have to pay Rs. 100 for congestion charge so a total of Rs. 600 per permit

However, for bikes, it is only Rs. 50 congestion charge that remains payable. Permit fee and congestion fee are not applicable for bikes at the time of writing this article. It may happen in the near future but right now, it is only Rs. 50 per bike.

There will no refund if you do not use or try to cancel your permit.

Permits for Rohtang to Manali

One last thing to add here is that you only need these permits if you are going from Manali towards Rohtang. If you are coming from the other side though and crossing Rohtang to reach Manali, then there is no permit applicable.

Rohtang Permits for Rented Bikes

If you were planning to rent a bike from Manali to visit Rohtang, the best thing to do is to ask the rental agency to arrange the permit for you. Usually, all the rental agencies do provide this service but it will be good to confirm before closing the detail.

If the rental agency says no to the permits, do not book a bike with them and look for another. There are numerous rental services available in Manali and you will have no trouble finding one.

ladakh trip

Rohtang Pass on Tuesday

Yes, Rohtang Pass remains closed on Tuesdays due to maintenance work. Hence, you will not be able to get a permit for Tuesday. This applies to all three types of permits including the Beyond Rohtang permit.

So if you were actually on a trip to either Ladakh or Spiti, you will not be able to cross Rohtang Pass from the Manali side on a Tuesday. However, if you were returning from Manali to Leh, you will be allowed to travel. The restriction is only for vehicles traveling from the Manali side.

Rohtang Pass Permit for Bike – Conclusion

I hope this information on how to get Rohtang Pass Permit for Bike was of help. If you have any 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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52 comments

Kunwar Singh Rupsi May 19, 2020 - 5:03 am

Hello Vargis…
1.Is it possible to do spiti valley ride after Srinagar-leh-manali circuit?
2.If yes..Then can I go directly from Gramphu and exit through Shimla?
3.Do I need any permit if I take this route?

Reply
Kunwar Singh Rupsi May 18, 2020 - 6:24 pm

Hello Vargis…Do we need any permit for spiti valley..if I go via Leh-Pang-Sarchu-keylong-Gramphu-kaza -nako-shimla..

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Evisha Vats May 29, 2022 - 6:22 pm

Hi vargis I heard that you can’t return from rohtang the same day with bike is it true if yes then how xan I return the same day on rented bike

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Rana Majumder March 5, 2020 - 8:04 am

Hi Vargis,
this is Rana from Bangladesh. First of all, let me congratulate you and appreciate your effort which has made this blog so popular on the web (trust me it is everywhere). We are (3 persons) planning for a motorcycle trip to Spiti Valley (7 days) at the end of May 2020 (starting date from Shimla or Manali on 29th) but got confused about whether Rothang Pass will be open or not. Mos tour operators we have talked with so far has told us that we might not be able to go through Rothang pass and suggested us to take Shimla route. Let’s say Rothang Pass is closed during that time and we would like to avoid the hassle of getting the permit which is required if you travel through Manali. Now, if we start from Shimla on 29th May and we have 7 days to complete the circuit (trip ends in Manali), do you think on the 7th day (4th June) Rothang Pass will be open? If not, can you please suggest any circuit from Shimla – Spiti – Shimla where we don’t have to ride on the same route while coming back? I have researched a lot on this but best i found was taking the Batal – Chhatru – Raling – Kishori – Sach – Dalhouse – Manali from Kibber but it is too much for a 7 days bike ride. Could you help us with an Itinerary please?
Thanks in advance! Looking forward to your reply!

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Vargis.Khan March 5, 2020 - 1:35 pm

Hi Rana – Thank you for your kind words. Spiti Circuit will be all open by May end, you will be able to complete it. Keep your plans as they are.

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Avinash kumar September 4, 2019 - 4:50 pm

How get permits for rental bike

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Vargis.Khan September 4, 2019 - 5:47 pm

The rental agency will arrange that

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Mukundo October 29, 2019 - 8:25 am

Hi Vargis,
Is November is right time to visit Rohtang with bike?

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Vargis.Khan October 30, 2019 - 9:59 pm

Hi Mukundo – No it is not. When are you planning to go? The pass will close anytime now.

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dheeraj November 1, 2019 - 8:18 am

we are planing to go on 5-6nov, we have our own bike. it is necessary to take permit, only go for manali to rohtang

Vargis.Khan November 2, 2019 - 4:23 am

Yes it is

Mohammad Ehsan Rana August 10, 2019 - 1:00 pm

i am from punjab and planning to travel from manali to rohtang pass but we are two persons on one bike and bike is royal enfield so could we get permit for our bike

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Vargis.Khan August 10, 2019 - 4:05 pm

If the bike is not older than 10 years, then yes you will get the permit.

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Ajith M L August 8, 2019 - 5:31 am

planning to visit Ladakh via Manali ..my bike is more than 10 years but below 15 years ..Can I get permission?

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Vargis.Khan August 8, 2019 - 12:55 pm

No you can’t

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Dhvani Pandya April 19, 2022 - 8:38 am

How can we get bike on rent??

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Bhushan July 12, 2019 - 11:57 am

Hi,

m planning to go to spiti via rohtang pass, do I need permit? if yes which one?

n my bike in not father’s name so will I get permit if he is not with me?

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Vargis.Khan July 12, 2019 - 12:27 pm

Yes you will get the permit and you need to get the Beyond Rohtang Permit

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Bhushan July 15, 2019 - 8:48 am

thank you

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Bhushan July 15, 2019 - 8:49 am

One more question … like what would the permit charges, any idea?

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Nitish June 9, 2019 - 2:26 pm

I have no license what to do

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Vargis.Khan June 9, 2019 - 7:01 pm

Get a license

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Tanay June 5, 2019 - 8:45 am

Hello ,
We are going to travel on a 2001 model RE , will it be a issue getting permits..?

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Vargis.Khan June 5, 2019 - 3:54 pm

You will not get the permit since your bike is over 10 years old.

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Pankaj Chavan September 4, 2018 - 5:04 pm

Hi Vargis
Planning to visit Manali from Kaza on a ‘Tuesday’.
2 questions:
will i require permit from Kaza to Manali?
Can i travel from Kaza to Manali on a tuesday?

Reply
Vargis.Khan September 5, 2018 - 12:20 am

Hi Pankaj,

1. No
2. Yes

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Munsih Singla August 28, 2018 - 9:07 am

I am going for Leh from manai, which permit i need to apply.

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Vargis.Khan August 28, 2018 - 12:10 pm

Beyond Rohtang Permit

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Kamal June 18, 2018 - 3:08 am

We are planning Manali to leh on our own bikes . Online portal is showing three types of permit rohtang pass , beyond rohtang pass and green tax .
Which one is to be obtained ??
Further there is no option for taking rohtang pass( first one ) for bike.
Pls help

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Vargis.Khan June 18, 2018 - 1:57 pm

If you just want to go to Rohtang and come back the same day then apply for Rohtang permit.

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Shriganesh Hegde June 12, 2018 - 10:13 am

Hello Sir,
I rather have a weird question. We are travelling to leh from Manali on July 16th, on our own bikes. My question is, my bike is registered in my dad’s name, whereas the Driver’s license will be mine. Is that going to be a problem for obtaining the rohtang pass permit and also the ILP at leh?? Waiting for your response.

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Vargis.Khan June 12, 2018 - 1:26 pm

No that will not be a problem.

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Mohd irfan June 9, 2018 - 4:02 am

Hello
Actually I am planning to roam in manali for atleast three days by bike and also want to go rohtang too by bike only.
Plz tell me how to rent a bike, charges, security, and other necessary information

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NAVEEN VERMA May 31, 2018 - 8:57 am

Bhut.masst article hai AAP. k really helpful… If any one want to join Manali Leh… On 4th morning…. Khan sir… Just let me know the difference between Leh and Ladakh… Why I need line off cross…. And from where????

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Himanshu May 29, 2018 - 6:19 pm

Hii,
Great piece of information
I am travelling Rohtang pass on my bike
Will they issue me a beyond rohtang pass permit for just one day
SInce I will be returning the next day itself from koksar

Thank you,

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Nilesh May 29, 2018 - 9:54 am

Is there any clause for bike permit, Where we cannot return back to manali on same day? If we are starting from manali to rhotang & same day back to manali. this is not allowed?

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Surakshith May 28, 2018 - 1:42 pm

We are planning to travel from Shimla – Kaza – Manali via Rohtang in Innova non-HP cab. Do we need any permits to cross Rohtang pass. Any info would be really helpful.

Thanks

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Aadrit May 28, 2018 - 10:25 am

Thanks for the info posted. I am travelling on a 2007 model RE and i cannot apply pass through online as its only allowing till 2008 and mine in Sep 2007. You said bikes have a limit of 15 years. How can we apply ?

Please reply asap.

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gopal May 24, 2018 - 7:29 am

hey this post is relay helpful for me

sir kya hum next day ke liye Permit le sakte h

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Vargis.Khan May 24, 2018 - 4:15 pm

Gopal Bhai aap online apply kar sakte ho 2 din advance mein

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Emmanuvel May 23, 2018 - 5:51 pm

Hi,

Thanks for your post its really very informative.

I would like to travel to leh from coimbatore via srinagar.
Is it required to get any permits to travel via srinagar to leh.

Thanks

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Vargis.Khan May 23, 2018 - 7:50 pm

Thanks Emmanuvel. You do not need a permit to go via Srinagar. It is only applicable from Manali side.

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udit sharma May 21, 2018 - 6:40 pm

Hello Vargis,

Brother you are doing a fabulous job. I love the way you draft this info precise and to the point. I am going for leh solo bike trip in july 2018 first week. This info is going to be really helpful.

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Vargis.Khan May 21, 2018 - 8:55 pm

Thanks for taking the time to drop a note Udit Bhai. I appreciate it.

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vipul makhija May 17, 2018 - 5:44 am

hey, Vargis
brother thanku so much for this Post . As i was really confused about those permits as so many of the trip advisors were telling tht u would not get it by urself as therfore i wasss so confused .
thanku so much brother .
thank you ,
regards
Vipul Makhija

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Vargis.Khan May 17, 2018 - 6:24 pm

I am glad that the information was of help Vipul Bhai. Thank you for taking the time to drop a note. I appreciate it.

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Akhilesh July 10, 2017 - 9:43 pm

Hi, thank you for sharing the information.

I am planning a solo bike trip from Delhi-Manali-Sarchu from 21Jul-25Jul.
21-22 Manali, 23Sun ride to Sarchu. Then back to Manali on 24Mon

If not online, can you please share suggestions to book the hotel (where/ which on way/how should i book), to get the travel permit.

[Last I travelled in HP to mcleodganj (Naddi) in April, there were no problem with any bookings (solo ride)]

Any alternate suggestion to plan this trip will be a great help or places to stop between manali-sarchu

Thank you, you are doing a great work!

Regards,
Akhilesh

It’s not about the destination just enjoy the journey. 🙂

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Abidkhan January 9, 2018 - 9:05 am

Hi! Vargis.ur post is very helpful for d fresher, will u plzzz suggest me that I m planning a trip from Delhi 2 Manali via leh and other spot what kind of permit will required in my whole journey…plzzzz suggest me……thanks.

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Vargis.Khan January 12, 2018 - 4:55 pm

Hello Abid – If you are going via Manali, then you will need to get Rohtang Pass Permit and then Inner line permit in Ladakh. If you are going via Srinagar and returning to Manali then you only need to get Inner line permit in Leh, won’t need Rohtang Pass permit.

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NAVEEN GIFT May 4, 2017 - 5:23 pm

Greetings !

Glad to have found this awesome post.
I read the post fully but was getting confused.
I would be thankful if I could get help on our bike trip for June 10th 2017

We are a couple. We will parcel our bike 14 year old Yamaha Enticer from Hubli to Chandigarh by train. Then start our bike trip from Chandigarh on 10th June 2017
We plan to reach Manali by evening if possible. So we will begin our Manali-Leh bike trip on 12th June.
We are carrying every possible thing with us and we want to do self camping in our tents.
Only in Manali we want to stay in a hotel. Rest all places we want to self camp.
Also we want to reach Leh from Manali in 2-3 days if possible or you can suggest.
Now we need a detailed itinerary for our trip from Manali to Leh with the following information:
1. When and by what time should we reach each place on our route?
2. What all permits and docs are required for us and where should we get them? Please name them so that it will be easy for us to get them.
3. What are all the self camping places along our route including Leh? We leave Manali on 12th June. We want to night camp on 12th and 13th night. And we want to reach Leh on 14th by noon. Can you suggest us the specific names of places where we can camp on 12th night and 13th night?

Awaiting an answer!

Thanks…

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Vargis.Khan May 5, 2017 - 12:50 am

Hi Naveen – From Manali, you can reach Jispa by evening easily and camp there by the river. Do not camp just anywhere though. There are a couple of camp sites there. Pay them a little money and ask them to show you a secluded spot, away from their camps.

Next day you can camp at either Pang or Sarchu.

3rd day you will be in Leh.

Regarding camping, please read the article below for more information.

https://vargiskhan.com/log/camping-in-ladakh-preparations-precautions/

From Manali, you will need permits to cross Rohtang Pass. Read the below article for more information about how and where to get.

https://vargiskhan.com/log/rohtang-pass-permits-details-charges-apply/

Reply

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