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Road Tax in Karnataka: Complete Guide on Calculation, Rates & Online Payment

Team AckoApr 30, 2024

Karnataka is the sixth-largest state by area in the country. It is also a manufacturing hub of some of India's largest public sector industries and is a leader in IT. Bustling with life, the state of Karnataka has to continuously maintain its road network to keep up with the logistical needs and the rise in traffic density due to the influx of people visiting the state or moving here.

To cope with these expenses, the government collects taxes from everyone who intends to use the state's road network. The Karnataka Road Tax, once paid, allows you 15 years of stress-free driving on the state's roads.

Contents

Karnataka Road Tax
Karnataka Road Tax Calculation
Road Tax in Karnataka for Two-Wheelers
Road Tax in Karnataka for Three-Wheelers
Road Tax in Karnataka for Four-Wheelers
Commercial Vehicles Road Tax in Karnataka
Road Tax for Other State Vehicles in Karnataka
How to Pay Karnataka Road Tax Online?
Penalty for Non-payment of Road Tax in Karnataka
FAQs

Karnataka Road Tax

As per The Motor Vehicles Act 1988, paying road tax is mandatory, similar to other mandatory rules like buying a bike or car insurance, holding a valid DL, etc.

The RTOs collect the road taxes in Karnataka and are then utilised by the Karnataka Government to improve/maintain roads in the state.

The department is responsible for 29,072.58 km of State Highways and 55,428.85 km of Major District Roads.

Karnataka Road Tax Calculation

The Karnataka government determines tax slabs for various vehicles after considering multiple factors such as:

The seating capacity of a vehicle
The cubic capacity of its engine
The type of fuel it runs on
Vehicle’s cost
Usage (private/commercial) and its age.
The age of the vehicle (comes into consideration only when you are registering an used vehicle or in case of transfer of vehicle to Karnataka from a different state)

Road Tax in Karnataka for Two-Wheelers

The road tax slab in Karnataka for Two-wheelers is as follows:

Category	Road Tax Applicable
A new vehicle costing less than Rs 50,000	10%
A new vehicle that costs more than Rs 50,000	12%
Vehicles no 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	4%

Road Tax in Karnataka for Three-Wheelers

The table below mentions the Karnataka Road tax for three-wheelers:

Category	Road Tax Applicable
A new auto-rickshaw at the time of registration	Rs. 2,500/-

Road Tax in Karnataka for Four-Wheelers

The road tax slab in the State of Karnataka for Four-wheelers is mentioned in the following table:

Category	Percentage of Road Tax Applicable
Vehicles valued at less than Rs 5 lakhs	13%
A new vehicle valued between Rs 5-10 lakhs	14%
A new vehicle valued between 10-20 lakhs	17%
A new vehicle valued at 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%

Commercial Vehicles Road Tax in Karnataka

The road tax levied by Karnataka is the highest in the country. Unlike most states, Karnataka has a uniform tax slab for commercial and private vehicles.

The following table details the road tax for commercial vehicles registered in Karnataka.

Category	Road Tax Applicable
A new vehicle valued at less than Rs 5 lakhs	13%
A new vehicle valued between Rs 5-10 lakhs	14%
A new vehicle valued between Rs 10-20 lakhs	17%
A new vehicle valued at over Rs 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%

Road Tax for Other State Vehicles in Karnataka

If your vehicle is registered under a different state, the Karnataka Government allows you to drive anywhere within its border for 30 days (without paying a road tax). If you wish to drive the vehicle in Karnataka any longer, you will need to pay the road tax based on the duration of your stay, as mentioned in the following table.

Duration of vehicle use	Measures to be taken
Less than 30 days	NA
30 days to 11 months	Apply for a change of address only
Beyond 11 months	Re-register the vehicle in Karnataka and pay lifetime taxes accordingly.

How to Pay Karnataka Road Tax Online?

You can pay the Karnataka road tax online via the Parivahan portal or while visiting the local RTO to register your vehicle.

To pay the road tax online, you can follow the steps listed below:

Access the Parivahan website.
Click on "Online Services" and select the "Vehicles Related Services" option.
Choose the state of Karnataka from the available list and then select the RTO.
Enter the registration number of the vehicle and all the required information.
After verification of details, pay the road tax and download a copy of the receipt.

If you are unable to pay your dues online, you can do so in-person by following the steps listed below:

Visit the nearest RTO with the required documents.
Get the documents verified.
Make the payment as per the applicable road tax.

If you decide to pay the road tax at the local RTO, you will be required to carry the following documents:

A copy of the vehicle's invoice.
The Registration Certificate (RC) of the vehicle.
No Objection Certificate (If re-registering a vehicle from another state).
Form number KMVT14 (If re-registering a vehicle from another state).
The certificate of Insurance of the vehicle.
Documents to serve as proof of address (Voter ID card, Passport, Utility Bills, etc.)

Penalty for Non-payment of Road Tax in Karnataka

You can drive an out-of-state vehicle in Karnataka for up to a year without paying road taxes. No interest is charged if you pay within the grace period (30 days).

Status of Road Tax Payment	Penalty
If the road tax is not paid within the stipulated time	The vehicle is impounded and released only after the payment of the pending road tax.

List of Different Motor Insurance Plans

According to the Motor Vehicles Act 1988, purchasing a third-party motor insurance policy in India is mandatory. Moreover, having a valid motor insurance policy will help vehicle owners in case of road accidents or other mishaps. For further information, visit ACKO. You can also learn about the different motor insurance plans mentioned in the table below.

Car Insurance	Bike Insurance
Comprehensive Car Insurance	Comprehensive Bike Insurance
Third-Party Car Insurance	Third-Party Bike Insurance
Commercial Car Insurance

Conclusion

This sums up the guide for Karnataka road tax. We hope that this blog familiarises you with how the Karnataka road tax is calculated, the various classification of vehicles and why this road tax is levied. While it is true that Karnataka has one of the highest road taxes in the country, this, in turn, results in better infrastructure and roads for those residing here.

Apart from road tax, having a valid motor insurance is also mandatory as per law. It is essential to keep your family and yourself safe by purchasing an insurance policy that gives the best coverage. ACKO offers wide-ranging insurance plans with a variety of add-ons to choose from. A car/bike insurance will safeguard you from potential financial losses, should the need arise!

FAQs

Here are some answers to the common questions related to Karnataka Road Tax

Can I check the validity of my vehicle with the registration number?

Yes, you can check the validity of your vehicle using your registration number from theParivahan website. Select the “Vehicle details" option, enter the registration number, and click search.

Where can I pay my vehicle tax?

You can pay the Karnataka road tax online via theParivahan website or in person by visiting the RTO.

Which vehicles don't have to pay road tax in Karnataka?

There are no exemptions when it comes to paying road taxes in Karnataka.

Within how many days should the road tax be paid?

The Karnataka Road tax has to be paid within 30 days of registering your vehicle.

Can I get a refund for the Road tax in Karnataka?

You can get a refund of your Road Tax under two scenarios:

When you transfer your vehicle from Karnataka to another state and pay the road taxes for the same, you produce a tax payment receipt as proof and apply for a refund from the RTO where the vehicle was initially registered.
If your vehicle gets written off, you can cancel its registration and apply for a refund of your road tax.

Disclaimer: The content on this page is generic and shared only for informational and explanatory purposes. It is based on several secondary sources on the internet, and is subject to changes.

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