Karnataka Road Tax

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Karnataka Road Tax

Karnataka is India’s 6th largest state by area. It houses an extensive road network spanning 91959.80 km composed of major district roads and national and state highways. Most of its population relies on public transport or private vehicles to make their commute within the state. 

This southern state also experiences yearly increases in its traffic density, with more people visiting or moving to the state. To keep up with logistical needs, the state must continuously maintain its road networks by sustaining existing roads and building new ones.  

To fund this, the government imposes a road tax in Karnataka on all residents within the state who intend to use its roads. Therefore, anyone that owns a vehicle in Karnataka or plans to visit this state in their private vehicle must pay this tax. Once paid, they can drive freely within the state for up to 15 years. 

So what is road tax, and how is road tax in Karnataka calculated? Read on as we break down these terms and processes. We have also provided detailed instructions on how to pay your road taxes online and in person in Karnataka. 

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What is Road Tax?

In India, road tax is a type of taxation implemented or imposed on citizens of the state that needs to be paid whenever a person buys a new vehicle or gets their vehicle registered at an RTO (Regional Transport Office). It is a legally mandated tax that must be paid by commercial and private vehicles as per the rules of Section 39 of the Motor Vehicle Act, 1988.

This tax amount is determined based on the information provided by the vehicle owner on their vehicle details like vehicle type, engine capacity, age, vehicle purpose – for commercial or private use, and other essential information.

So when you buy a new vehicle, the road tax is included in the vehicle’s on-road price and is collected as a one-time payment on each new vehicle purchase and registration for non-commercial vehicles. For commercial vehicles, it can be done as a monthly, yearly or half-yearly payment.

This tax is used to fund the respective state’s road network maintenance and all its correlating expenses. For example, it can be used to build new roads, highways, bridges, railway tracks, etc.

You will also need to re-register your vehicle and pay a road tax when you move to a different state. This is because each Indian state has different tax norms, and the exact road tax amounts differ across states.

Who Levies Road Tax in Karnataka?

Road tax is imposed on commercial and private vehicles. It encompasses two-wheelers, three-wheelers, four-wheelers, and other types of vehicles. Generally, the state and central governments are responsible for levying road tax amounts in Karnataka.

Central Government Road Tax: These are collected by the NHAI (National Highway Authority of India) under the central government. These taxes are paid through toll fees collected from four-wheeled or larger vehicles that drive through toll roads. This needs to be paid only when your drive by toll roads.

State Government Road Tax: This is the most common type of road tax that people often encounter. This is levied by RTOs whenever you get your vehicle registered or buy a new vehicle. For example, road tax in Karnataka is collected by RTOs when you register your vehicle.

Karnataka RTO Road Tax Calculation

The Karnataka state government determines the road tax amount for vehicles based on some key factors that must be provided by the vehicle owner during the registration process.
Factors that affect the RTO tax in Karnataka are:

  • Seating capacity of the vehicle.
  • Cubic capacity of the vehicle engine.
  • Vehicle fuel type.
  • Vehicle cost.
  • Vehicle weight.
  • Usage (private/commercial) and its purchase date.
  • Age of the vehicle (considered when you are registering a used vehicle or in case of transfer of a vehicle to Karnataka from a different state).

These factors are used to ensure that the road tax is calculated fairly across all vehicle categories. The RTO charges in Karnataka can also be determined using a Karnataka road tax calculator available on the Parivahan portal.

Moreover, we have also provided comprehensive tables below for each vehicle category for new and old vehicles to help you find out your RTO tax in Karnataka.

Karnataka Road Tax for Two-Wheelers

Two-Wheeler Category  Applicable Road Tax in Karnataka 
New vehicles costing less than ₹50,000  10%
New vehicles that cost more than ₹50,000 12%
Vehicles not more than 5 years old  73% to 93%
Vehicles between 5 - 10 years old 49% to 69%
Vehicles that are between 10 - 15 years old 45% to 25%
Electric Vehicles or E-Bikes  4%

Karnataka Road Tax for Three-Wheelers

Three-Wheeler Category  Applicable Road Tax in Karnataka 
For new auto-rickshaws at the time of registration ₹2,500

Karnataka Road Tax for Cars and Four-Wheelers

Four-Wheeler Category  Applicable Road Tax in Karnataka 
Vehicles costing less than ₹5 lakhs 13% 
New vehicles costing between ₹5 - ₹10 lakhs 14%
New vehicles costing between ₹10 - ₹20 lakhs 17%
A new vehicle costing over ₹20 lakhs 18%
Vehicles no more than 5 years old  75% to 93%
Vehicles between 5 - 10 years old 49% to 69%
Vehicles that are between 10 - 15 years old 45% to 25%
Electric Vehicles 4%

Karnataka Road Tax for Cars: Classic and Vintage Rates

In addition to the tax rates stated above for four-wheelers, Karnataka also has separate tax slab for vintage and classic cars that must be paid by the vehicle owner when paying their road tax in Karnataka.

Four-Wheeler Category  Applicable Road Tax in Karnataka 
Classic Cars ₹1000
Vintage Cars ₹500

Karnataka Road Tax for Commercial Vehicles

Unlike most Indian States, Karnataka has a uniform tab slab rate for both commercial and non-commercial vehicles. Moreover, the road tax in Karnataka is known to be the highest in India.

Commercial Vehicle Categories Applicable Road Tax in Karnataka 
New vehicles costing less than ₹5 lakhs 13%
New vehicles costing between ₹5 - ₹10 lakhs 14%
New vehicles costing between ₹10 - ₹20 lakhs 17%
New vehicles costing over ₹20 lakhs 18%
Vehicles no more than 5 years old 75% to 93%
Vehicles between 5 - 10 years old 49% to 69%
Vehicles between 10 - 15 years old 45% to 25%
Electric Vehicles 4%

Karnataka RTO Road Tax Calculation for Other State Vehicles

Karnataka RTO Road Tax Online Payment: A Step-By-Step Process

  1. Visit the Parivahan official portal
  2. Click ‘Online Services’ on the top tab and click on ‘Vehicle-Related Services’
  3. Select your respective state from the dropdown menu
  4. Enter your registration number, select your RTO from the dropdown and click ‘Proceed’
  5. Click on the ‘Services’ tab and click ‘Tax/Fee Services’
  6. Next, click ‘Pay Your Tax’, and enter your vehicle registration number and chassis number (last 5 characters)
  7. Click ‘Verify Details’ and fill out the road tax collection form
  8. Click on ‘Payment’ and then click ‘Confirm Payment’
  9. Choose your online payment option and click ‘Continue’
  10. Once your payment has been processed, the site will generate a receipt you can download and print for future reference
  11. Download and print out the generated application letter to get your application number

How to Find Out Your Karnataka Road Tax Amount Online?

  1. Visit the Vahan Services portal.

  2. Click on ‘Know Your Tax Amount’ on the top tab.

  3. On the next page, enter all the required details and the correct captcha before clicking on ‘Get Tax Details’.

Note: For private vehicles, select the ‘Motor Cab’ option from the dropdown and then select ‘Light Motor Vehicle’ on the next field.

Offline Payment of Road Tax in Karnataka

  1. Visit your nearest local or state RTO with all your supporting documents. 
  2. Enquire about the road tax payment at the front desk and request an application form. 
  3. Fill in the form with all your relevant details and details about your vehicle, like vehicle type, registration date, purchase date, etc. 
  4. Present your completed form with all your supporting documents at the counter and pay the required road tax amount.
  5. Remember to get the payment receipt, which must be maintained for future reference.

Penalties for Non-Payment of Road Tax in Karnataka?

You can drive an out-of-state vehicle in Karnataka without paying a road tax for a maximum of 1 year so long as you pay the road tax within this grace period.

If you fail to make this payment, you will get penalised by the Karnataka state government. You may even have your vehicle papers seized if you are caught driving without paying the road tax.

Here are the various penalties your may face if you fail to pay the RTO tax in Karnataka:

For First Offenders: The tax amount for the vehicle is paid for the first two quarters.

For Serial Offenders: The fine will be equal to or less than the annual tax of the vehicle, which will be extended twice a year.

For Defaulters: The fine amount will be more than ₹300 and will be an extended one-time annual tax. This amount will be more than ₹500 for serial offenders and will be charged twice a year.

List Of RTOs in Karnataka

The state of Karnataka has 67 RTOs present to help its residents carry out their vehicle registration and road tax payment processes. Below is a list of all the RTOs in Karnataka with their respective RTO codes.

Duration of Visit/Stay Applicable Road Tax in Karnataka 
Less than 30 days NA
30 days to 11 months  Apply for a change of address only.
Over 11 months Must re-register the vehicle in an RTO in Karnataka and pay lifetime taxes accordingly. 
RTO City  RTO Code  RTO City  RTO Code
Bangalore  KA01, KA02, KA03, KA04, KA05, KA57 Bagalkot KA29
Tumkur KA06, KA64 Karwar KA30
Kolar KA07, KA08 Sirsi KA31
Mysore  KA09, KA55 Gulbarga KA32
Chamarajnagar KA10 Yadgir KA33
Mandya KA11 Bellary KA34
Madikeri KA12 Hospet KA35
Hassan KA13 Raichur KA36
Shimoga KA14 Gangavathi KA37
Sagar KA15 Bidar KA38
Chitradurga KA16 Bhalki KA39
Davanagere KA17 Chickballapur KA40
Chickmaglur KA18 Jnanabharathi KA41
Dakshina Kannada KA19 Ramanagar KA42
Udupi KA20 Devanahalli KA43
Puttur KA21 Tiptur KA44
Belgaum KA22 Hunsur KA45
Chikkodi KA23 Sakaleshapur KA46
Bailhongal KA24 Honnavar KA47
Dharwar KA25 Jamakhandi KA48
Gadag KA26 Gokak KA49
Haveri KA27 Yelhanka KA50
Bijapur KA28 Electronic City KA51
Chandapura KA59 Nelamangala KA52
Marathalli KA61 K.R.Puram KA53
Hubli, Dharwad District KA63 Basavakalyana KA56
Dandeli, Karwar District KA65 R.T.Nagar KA60
Banashankari KA58 Bantwal KA70
Surathkal, Dakshina Kannada District KA62 Tarikere, Chikkamagalore District KA66

Motor Insurance in Karnataka

Alongside paying for a road tax in Karnataka, new vehicle owners must also pay for registration charges and motor insurance whenever they buy a new vehicle. For example, new car owners would need 4-wheeler insurance for a new car.

This is because a car insurance policy certificate is a mandatory document that must be presented when registering your vehicle at an RTO. This applies to temporary (done by the dealership) and permanent (done by you) registration processes.

Moreover, according to the Motor Vehicles Act, it is mandatory to have at least a third-party four-wheeler insurance for your car if you wish to drive it on public roads within the state, in addition to paying the RTO charges in Karnataka.

At Tata AIG, we recommend buying a comprehensive car insurance policy for a new vehicle as it provides more coverage. We also provide additional ride plans for our comprehensive insurance plans so you can increase the amount of coverage you get for your vehicle.

If you have any additional queries regarding our plans and the premium amounts with respect to your state, contact us through our customer support helpline.

Disclaimer / TnC

Your policy is subjected to terms and conditions & inclusions and exclusions mentioned in your policy wording. Please go through the documents carefully.

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