Road Tax in Odisha: Fee Structure and Documents You Need

Thinking of purchasing a car in Odisha or bringing one into the state from outside? Road tax is one of the first things you will need to tackle. It is a mandatory fee that the state government levies to ensure that roads and transportation services are up to the required standards.

However, the road tax in Odisha varies by the features of your vehicle. It also has its own regulations for calculating and paying road tax. Be it a scooter or a commercial vehicle, you can avoid penalties by knowing the Odisha road tax system. Here, we will guide you through who has to pay road tax in Odisha and how it is calculated.

Who Needs to Pay Road Tax in Odisha

You must pay road tax in Odisha in case you own a vehicle and intend to operate it in the state. All vehicles that are road taxable in Odisha are as follows:

• Individuals who own two-wheelers or four-wheelers in private capacity.
• Owners or operators of commercial vehicles like taxis, trucks and buses.
• Those who transfer their vehicle and re-register it in Odisha.

Road tax is payable in case your vehicle is registered in Odisha or has been driven on Odisha roads for more than 12 months.

How is Road Tax Calculated in Odisha?

Odisha does not levy the same road tax on all vehicles. It is based on factors that are unique to your car, such as:

• Type of vehicle i.e. scooter, bike, car, or commercial vehicle
• Engine capacity
• The vehicle ex-showroom price
• Types of fuel, e.g. petrol, diesel or electric
• The purpose of the vehicle, whether it is a commercial or a personal one
• Age of the vehicle at the time of registration

For example, if you buy a petrol hatchback car that costs ₹8 lakh rupees and the road tax rate is 6%, you will pay ₹48,000 rupees as a single road tax when you register it.

Road Tax Rates in Odisha

This is a simplified table indicating the manner in which road tax is levied on various kinds of vehicles in Odisha:

Road tax rates in Odisha for four wheelers depends on the ex-showroom price of the vehicle:

Note: Private vehicles tend to pay road tax once during registration. In the case of commercial vehicles, the tax can be paid on an annual basis, depending on route and usage.

How to Pay Road Tax in Odisha?

Odisha has the option of paying road tax online and offline. The following is a brief overview of both the options:

Online Method

• Visit the Odisha Transport Department site or the https://vahan.parivahan.gov.in.
• Head to the 'Online Services' and then 'Pay Vehicle Tax'
• Type in your registration number and check the car particulars.
• Check the tax amount that is shown.
• Pay with a debit card, credit card, UPI or net banking.
• Save the copy of the payment receipt in your records.

Offline Method

• Visit the RTO office near you in Odisha.
• Collect and complete vehicle tax payment forms.
• Provide documents such as RC and others.
• Pay the sum at the counter with the available modes of payment.
• Take your receipt of the road tax payment.

Documents Required

• Vehicle’s Registration Certificate (RC)
• Identity proof like an Aadhaar card or driving licence
• Address proof like a utility bill or passport.
• Original bill of the car
• Past tax payment receipt, where applicable
• Older vehicle's pollution certificate

Penalty for Non-payment of Road Tax in Odisha

In Odisha, failure to pay road tax can lead to a huge fine of up to 200% of the amount due, especially for goods and commercial vehicles. It may also result in fines, penalties or even seizure of documents. In order to avoid rising charges and legal problems, it is important to pay the road tax on time. 

• Fixed fines based on the amount of delay.
• Your unpaid tax is charged interest daily or monthly.
• The risk of your car getting impounded or being prohibited.

Road Tax Refund in Odisha

In certain cases, you can get a refund of road tax with the Odisha Transport Department. Typical refund cases are:

• You scrap your vehicle and have valid proof.
• You also transfer your vehicle to a different state and register it there permanently.
• You accidentally pay road tax more than once.

RTO Offices in Odisha and Contact Details

These are some of the major RTO offices in Odisha:

For more details, visit the full list of RTO vehicle details in Odisha here.

Conclusion

The mandate of paying road tax in Odisha applies to all vehicle owners. When purchasing a new car or transferring an old one to the state, it is better to learn how to calculate and pay the tax to remain lawful and not get into trouble. The state of Odisha has made it easier for all to pay road tax both online and offline.