Road Tax in Delhi: Everything You Need to Know Before Registering Your Vehicle

In Delhi, there’s more to owning a vehicle than avoiding traffic or searching for a parking space: it begins with getting your papers in order, and that starts with paying the road tax. It is a mandatory payment levied on every vehicle in India. This tax goes towards maintaining and upgrading road facilities. The rules and exact tax amounts vary between states and vehicle types. If you are purchasing or registering a car in Delhi, this blog will help you understand the road tax in Delhi, who needs to pay it, how much to pay, and other important details, so keep reading. 

Who Needs to Pay Road Tax in Delhi?

Whether you are purchasing a new scooter, car, commercial truck, or moving to Delhi with a car from another state, you must pay road tax. Here’s typically who pays the road tax: 

• Private car owners (2-wheelers, 4-wheelers, EVs)
• Commercial vehicle operators (taxis, buses, trucks, etc.)
• People moving vehicles to Delhi from another state (after 90 days of stay)

How is Road Tax Calculated in Delhi?

In Delhi, road tax is calculated based on a broad range of factors, not only the vehicle category. Here are some factors that affect it:

• Vehicle category: Two-wheeler, four-wheeler, commercial vehicle, etc.
• Engine size: Larger CC invariably translates into higher tax.
• Ex-showroom price: Expensive cars shell out more in taxes.
• Fuel: Petrol, diesel, or electric (EVs can be exempted).
• Vehicle use: Private or commercial use.
• Vehicle's age: One-time payment for new vehicles and annual payment for older/commercial vehicles.

Example:

Suppose you purchase a new petrol car in Delhi weighing 1,200 kg for ₹9 lakh ex-showroom. According to the Delhi transport department slabs, your road tax will be in the middle-weight slab and will be ₹4,880 per year (if paid annually), or higher as one-time payment for private use.

Road Tax Rates in Delhi

Here is a detailed table of the road tax rates in Delhi for different types of vehicles:

Delhi Road Tax Rates for Private Two-Wheelers 

Delhi Road Tax Rates for Private Four-Wheelers

Note: Some older, fixed annual rates of two-wheelers and four-wheelers by engine capacity (e.g., < 50 cc at ₹650, > 50 cc at ₹1220) may be cited in some sources, but the calculation based on the percentage of ex-showroom price is usually the norm in the case of new registration. For official and up-to-date slabs, do check the Parivahan website. 

Important Considerations:

• One-Time Payment: In the case of personal cars, it is usually a single payment during the registration of the car.
• Green Tax: Delhi also imposes a Green Tax on old vehicles, particularly diesel vehicles more than 10 years old and petrol vehicles more than 15 years old, in order to promote the phasing out of polluting vehicles. 
• Taxation: A lifetime tax is levied on most of the private cars in Delhi. Commercial cars are typically taxed annually.

How to Pay Road Tax in Delhi?

You can pay your road tax in Delhi both online and offline.

Online Method:

1. Visit this Vahan Citizen Services Portal
2. Enter your vehicle registration number, state name, and RTO
3. Verify details and proceed with payment.
4. Pay the amount through your chosen mode.
5. You will get a confirmation message upon completion.

Offline Process:

1. Go to the nearest RTO office in Delhi with your documents.
2. Fill out the payment form.
3. Submit mandatory documents: RC, invoice, ID proof, and address proof.
4. Pay the amount and get the receipt.

Penalty for Non-Payment of Road Tax in Delhi

According to Section 11 of the Delhi Motor Vehicles Taxation Act, 1962, non-payment within the time specified may invite:

• Heavy fines
• Penalties based on your vehicle's value
• Late fees or interest charges

Vehicles other than those registered with Delhi are exempt for 90 days, but have to pay the road tax after that.

Road Tax Refund in Delhi

Yes, you can get refunds in certain situations. You can get a refund on your road tax in Delhi if:

• The vehicle is scrapped or permanently de-registered
• You shift to another state and register the vehicle in your new state.
• You paid the road tax twice by mistake.

You will need to provide adequate documents and go through the correct procedure via the RTO to get your refund.

RTO Offices and Contact Details in Delhi

Here’s a quick look at major RTOs in Delhi:

For more information, check out the complete list of  RTO vehicle details in Delhi.

Conclusion

Paying the road tax in Delhi is mandatory by law, and you should ensure timely payments to have a smooth ownership experience. The road tax in Delhi is different among various types of vehicles and classes. You can pay the road tax both online and offline. If you don't pay your taxes on time, then you can face heavy penalties in Delhi. Lastly, if you’re looking for a hassle-free car ownership experience, CARS24 is where you can find a good inventory of cars and also check genuine RTO vehicle details for Delhi and other states.