The old AP RTO codes are the district codes that united Andhra Pradesh used before Telangana became a separate state. Codes like AP 09, AP 10, AP 11, AP 20, AP 28 and AP 29 are still seen on many older vehicles. This page explains which district each code belonged to, which codes moved to Telangana, and how Andhra Pradesh numbers vehicles now.
Original AP district codes
The codes come from the First Schedule to Rule 80 of the Andhra Pradesh Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, as shown on the Andhra Pradesh Transport Department website. Big districts got more than one code.
| Old code | District | Now in |
|---|---|---|
| AP 01 | Adilabad | Telangana |
| AP 02 | Anantapur | Andhra Pradesh |
| AP 03 | Chittoor | Andhra Pradesh |
| AP 04 | Kadapa | Andhra Pradesh |
| AP 05, AP 06 | East Godavari | Andhra Pradesh |
| AP 07, AP 08 | Guntur | Andhra Pradesh |
| AP 09 to AP 14 | Hyderabad | Telangana |
| AP 15 | Karimnagar | Telangana |
| AP 16 to AP 19 | Krishna | Andhra Pradesh |
| AP 20 | Khammam | Telangana |
| AP 21 | Kurnool | Andhra Pradesh |
| AP 22 | Mahabubnagar | Telangana |
| AP 23 | Medak | Telangana |
| AP 24 | Nalgonda | Telangana |
| AP 25 | Nizamabad | Telangana |
| AP 26 | Nellore | Andhra Pradesh |
| AP 27 | Prakasam | Andhra Pradesh |
| AP 28, AP 29 | Ranga Reddy | Telangana |
| AP 30 | Srikakulam | Andhra Pradesh |
| AP 31 to AP 34 | Visakhapatnam | Andhra Pradesh |
| AP 35 | Vizianagaram | Andhra Pradesh |
| AP 36 | Warangal | Telangana |
| AP 37, AP 38 | West Godavari | Andhra Pradesh |
The same schedule set aside series starting with Z for state road transport buses, a P series under the Hyderabad codes for police vehicles, and the letters T, U, V, W, X and Y for transport vehicles. Later lists also show AP 18 with a P series for Andhra Pradesh police vehicles.
Which AP codes moved to Telangana
When Telangana was formed, it got its own state code, TS. New vehicles in the Telangana districts were registered with TS codes from then on. Later the Centre changed the Telangana mark from TS to TG through notification S.O. 1306(E). TG is used for new registrations, and vehicles already on TS plates keep them.
| Old AP code | District | Telangana code today |
|---|---|---|
| AP 01 | Adilabad | TS 01, now TG 01 |
| AP 09 to AP 14 | Hyderabad | TS 09 to TS 14, now TG 09 to TG 14 |
| AP 15 | Karimnagar | TS 02, now TG 02 |
| AP 20 | Khammam | TS 04, now TG 04 |
| AP 22 | Mahabubnagar | TS 06, now TG 06 |
| AP 23 | Medak | TS 15, now TG 15 (Sangareddy) |
| AP 24 | Nalgonda | TS 05, now TG 05 |
| AP 25 | Nizamabad | TS 16, now TG 16 |
| AP 28, AP 29 | Ranga Reddy | TS 07 and TS 08, now TG 07 (Ranga Reddy) and TG 08 (Medchal Malkajgiri) |
| AP 36 | Warangal | TS 03, now TG 03 (Hanumakonda) |
Telangana later created many new districts, which got codes up to TG 38. See the full Telangana RTO code list for every office.
Do old AP plates in Telangana need to change?
No forced change applies today. The Telangana government once planned to make owners re-register old AP vehicles with TS numbers, but the High Court stayed that plan and allowed TS only for new vehicles. So an old AP 09 or AP 28 car in Hyderabad can still run on its AP number. If you sell it or move it, ask your RTO about the papers needed.
The current Andhra Pradesh system: AP 39 and AP 40
Andhra Pradesh now follows a one state, one code system. Instead of a separate code for each district, every RTO in the state issues the same code to new vehicles. AP 39 was used first, and AP 40 was opened once that series filled up. The letter series still tells you the vehicle type, for example Z for state transport buses and T to Y for transport vehicles.
Old district codes such as AP 16 (Vijayawada) or AP 31 (Visakhapatnam) are no longer given to new vehicles, but plates already issued stay valid. For the full list of Andhra Pradesh codes, see the Andhra Pradesh RTO code list.
Finding the office for an old AP plate
Old AP codes can be confusing for three reasons. First, one district often had several codes, like Hyderabad with six. Second, the Telangana districts were later split into many smaller districts, so an old code may now be served by more than one office. Third, the same office now issues a different state mark, first TS and then TG. If you need to do work on an old AP vehicle, such as a transfer, a duplicate RC or a change of address, go to the RTO that serves the area where the vehicle owner lives now. Your RTO can pull up the old record from the Vahan system.
How to read an old AP number
Take AP 28 BK 1234 as an example. AP is the old united state code. 28 is the Ranga Reddy district code. BK is the letter series, and 1234 is the vehicle's own number. Today that office is in Telangana, but the plate stays as it is unless the owner chooses to re-register.
Questions people ask
Which district is AP 09?
AP 09 was one of the Hyderabad codes in united Andhra Pradesh. Hyderabad used AP 09 to AP 14. Hyderabad is now in Telangana, where the matching codes are TS 09, now TG 09.
Which district is AP 28 and AP 29?
AP 28 and AP 29 were the Ranga Reddy district codes in united Andhra Pradesh. Ranga Reddy is now in Telangana. New vehicles there get TG 07, and the Medchal Malkajgiri area uses TG 08.
Which district is AP 10 and AP 11?
AP 10 and AP 11 were part of the Hyderabad group of codes, AP 09 to AP 14. These offices are now in Telangana and issue TG codes to new vehicles.
Which district is AP 20?
AP 20 was the code for Khammam district. Khammam is now in Telangana and uses TS 04, now TG 04, for new vehicles.
Is an old AP number still valid?
Yes. Vehicles registered under old AP codes keep their numbers in both Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. New vehicles in Andhra Pradesh get AP 39 or AP 40, and new vehicles in Telangana get TG codes.