Using the infrared–ultraviolet double resonance (IRUVDR) technique, state-to-state rate coefficients have been measured for the transfer of NO from the initial rovibronic levels (X²Π_1/2, v=2, J_i=7.5, 20.5 and 31.5) in collisions with He, Ar, N₂ and NO itself. For relaxation by He, Ar and N₂ from the rotational level J_i=40.5, rate coefficients were measured by a new method in which IRUVDR was implemented instantly on NO molecules formed by photodissociation of NO₂ at 355 nm. As J_i is increased the distribution of states (J_f) was found to change in two ways: (a) the distribution of ΔJ(=J_f−J_i) values becomes narrower, and (b) negative values of ΔJ are increasingly favoured over positive values. Thus >80% of the transfer from J_i=40.5 is to J_f=39.5. As with the earlier experimental results for total transfer, the present results for NO–He and NO–Ar collisions are shown to agree quite well with those from coupled states quantum scattering calculations on ab initio potential energy surfaces, although the agreement becomes poorer at high J_i . Possible reasons for this discrepancy are discussed.