RTO Charges For New Car in India: State-Wise List in 2026

A car's on-road price consistently exceeds its ex-showroom price because it incorporates mandatory expenses like insurance and RTO charges for a new car. These additional costs include registration fees, road tax, and various miscellaneous charges that fluctuate across different Indian states. State governments determine road tax by evaluating several factors, such as engine capacity, unladen weight, seating capacity, etc.

Understanding these registration requirements and the specifics of Bharat Series (BH) registration fees is essential for any buyer to accurately estimate the final cost of ownership. By accounting for state-specific road tax variations and preparing the necessary documentation, you can better navigate the transition from the showroom price to the total amount paid.

What are the RTO charges for New Cars in India?

Every new vehicle needs to be registered at a Regional Transport Office (RTO) before it can be used on the road legally. The RTO charges for new cars vary from state to state, but in general, there are similar components that make up the total. 

How is Road Tax Calculated in India?

In India, every vehicle owner must pay road tax as per motor laws. This tax is generally calculated on the vehicle’s ex-showroom price.

Each state decides its own road tax rates, which are influenced by factors such as:

• Vehicle Age
• Vehicle Weight
• Engine capacity
• Ex-showroom price

Typically, this road tax is paid when you purchase the vehicle. If the dealer handles the registration, they include the tax in the total price. If not, you’ll need to pay it separately at the RTO in your state. Also, if you move your vehicle from one state to another, you will need to pay road tax again in the new state.

How Much Road Tax Do I need to pay in different States of India?

The road tax component makes up the largest part of RTO charges for new car registration and differs between states. We’ve compiled the road tax charges in different states for you to get an idea of how much road tax you can expect to pay on your next car, based on where you reside. 

From the table, you can see that the state of Himachal Pradesh has the lowest road tax in India, hence the lowest RTO charges, leading to the on-road price of new cars being the lowest in HP. 

States like Arunachal Pradesh and Assam also offer minimum RTO charges in India, which can help you save significantly on registration costs. On the other hand, Karnataka has the highest road taxes in India, accordingly reflected in the highest on-road prices of new cars. 

Document Required to Register a New Car in India

The responsibility of registering and paying RTO charges for a new car in India usually lies with the dealership, which arranges for all documentation at the time that the car is sent to the RTO for registration. Here is the list of documents required: 
 

• Retail Invoice
• Sale Certificate (RTO Form 21)
• Road Worthiness Certificate (RTO Form 22)
• Copy of Insurance Certificate
• Loan Hypothecation (RTO Form 34)
• Vehicle Registration Form (RTO Form 20)
• Valid ID & Address Proof
• Chassis Imprint on Plain Paper taken by Pencil 
• Additional Documents such as IGST Bill (If Applicable)

What is the fee for Bharat Series (BH) vehicle registration?

The Bharat Series (BH Series) number plate is aimed at making vehicle registration easier for individuals who frequently relocate their state of residence due to work commitments. The BH Series is only applicable for non-transport vehicles and is only available to employees of State and Central government offices, public sector undertakings and private sector organisations that have offices in at least four Indian states. The fee for Bharat Series vehicle registration is as follows: