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

Road Tax in Uttar Pradesh is a one-time payment for private vehicles and a periodic payment for commercial vehicles, as laid out by the UP Motor Vehicles Taxation Act. It is calculated not only on the basis of your vehicle’s price but also its weight, engine capacity, and usage.

Irrespective of whether you’re registering a new car or bringing one in from another state, or even switching to electric and hybrid, road tax must be paid in time. Keep reading as this blog covers the complete information on current slabs in two- and four-wheelers, EV exemptions, who pays what, payment modes and also the documents required.

Who Needs to Pay Road Tax in Uttar Pradesh?

Anyone who registers a vehicle in UP has to pay road tax, including:

• Owners of new two-wheelers and four-wheelers.
• People transferring vehicles from other states.
• Buyers of used cars/scooters being registered in UP for the first time.
• Commercial vehicle owners (goods/passenger vehicles) who pay periodically, annually, or quarterly, depending on vehicle type.

How Is Road Tax Calculated in Uttar Pradesh?

The road tax for two-wheelers and four-wheelers (private) is a one-time payment, based on the ex-showroom price of the vehicle and whether it is an AC or non-AC vehicle, as per the UP Motor Vehicles Taxation Act. In April 2025, rates were increased by 1% across categories. Electric, hybrid, and CNG cars will be subjected to a 100% tax exemption when purchased between October 14, 2022, and October 13, 2027.

In the case of commercial and transport vehicles, tax is levied in a periodic manner based on seating capacity or loading, with an explicit tiering structure. Older cars and interstate cars can be subject to depreciation benefits for tax.

Road Tax Rates in Uttar Pradesh

Two-Wheelers (private)

Four-Wheelers (private)

Electric, Hybrid & CNG Vehicles

Key Notes

• Depreciation: Old or interstate vehicles receive a 5% tax exemption per year of usage (up to 75%)
• Green Tax: This tax is levied on vehicles over 15 years old based on their environmental impact.
• Commercial Vehicles: Commercial vehicles are taxed annually or quarterly, depending on their services, such as passengers or load.

How to Pay Road Tax in Uttar Pradesh?

You can pay road tax in UP online and offline, as per your choice and convenience.

Online Payment Method

1. Visit the official Parivahan portal.
2. Select “Online Services” → “Vehicle Related Services”.
3. Enter your vehicle registration number and state (Uttar Pradesh).
4. Choose “Pay Tax” from the available services.
5. Enter the required details (vehicle class, purpose, duration, etc.).
6. Make the payment using net banking, UPI, or a card.
7. Download and keep the tax receipt for future reference.

Offline Payment Method

1. Visit your nearest RTO office in UP.
2. Fill out Form 20 (if registering a new vehicle) or tax forms for renewal.
3. Submit your documents and pay at the cash counter.
4. Collect the tax payment receipt and keep it with your RC.

Penalty for Non-Payment of Road Tax in Uttar Pradesh

Thinking of skipping or delaying your road tax payments? Here’s what to expect:

• Late Fee: A penalty of 1% of the tax amount per month is levied on delayed payments.
• If non-payment continues, you could face:
  • RC suspension
  • Vehicle seizure
  • Legal notices under the Motor Vehicles Act
• For commercial vehicles, repeated non-payment may result in permit cancellation.

Tip: Always set reminders near renewal dates to avoid extra costs or legal trouble.

Road Tax Refund in Uttar Pradesh

In certain cases, you may be eligible to get a partial refund of the road tax paid:

When Can You Claim a Refund?

• If your vehicle is transferred permanently to another state.
• If the vehicle is deregistered due to scrapping, theft, or accident.
• If you’ve paid excess tax by mistake.

How to Apply:

1. Visit your RTO office with:
   • Original tax receipt
   • RC book
   • Application letter
   • ID proof
   • Proof of transfer/deregistration (if applicable)
2. Submit your refund request, and the RTO will verify and process the refund via cheque or bank transfer.

Note: Refunds usually take 4–6 weeks after successful verification.

RTO Offices and Contact Details in Uttar Pradesh

To get more information about every RTO and more, check out: RTO vehicle details in Uttar Pradesh 

Conclusion

Whether you purchase a brand new car in Lucknow or bring a used two-wheeler vehicle from a different state, knowing the tax rates, documents required, and payment process helps you avoid delays and penalties. And when you want to go electric or cross state lines, the tax system of UP has provisions for that as well. The good part? Staying road-legal in UP has never been as easy with online and offline payment options. Moreover, if you need additional information on RTO details and car transfers, you can always rely on trusted platforms like CARS24 for added peace of mind.