Karnataka Road Tax Guide: Rates & Online Payment

Karnataka, a land of captivating landscapes and renowned tourist attractions like Mysore Palace and Coorg, depends on well-connected road infrastructure to ensure smooth travel and transportation. Understanding the Karnataka road tax system is vital for the residents of this vibrant State.

As a resident of Karnataka, it is important to stay informed about road tax regulations. In this article, we have simplified the process for you to conveniently pay road taxes online. Read on to find out how you can fulfil your road tax obligations with ease and stay compliant with the norms of the Karnataka RTO!

How is Road Tax Calculated in Karnataka?

The Karnataka road tax or transport vehicle tax has several components basis which taxes are imposed on vehicles within the State.

The actual road tax amount is levied based on the following:

• Vehicle types, such as 2-wheeler, 3-wheeler, 4-wheeler, bus, tractor, trailer, or other State vehicles. 
• Purpose of use, such as for personal transportation, goods transportation, or passenger transportation. 
• Vehicle Model
• The vehicle’s seating capacity 
• The vehicle’s engine capacity
• The vehicle’s ex-showroom price
• Fuel Type (Diesel or Petrol)
• Vehicle Age
• Additional Cess (if applicable)

Here’s how much road tax you need to pay in Karnataka:

Road Tax for Two-Wheelers

Category	Tax Rate (% of vehicle cost)
New vehicles that cost less than ₹50,000	10%
New vehicles that cost more than ₹50,000	12%
Vehicles less than 5 years old	73%-93%
Vehicles between 5 years-10 years old	49%-69%
Vehicles between 10 years-15 years old	45%-25%
Electric Vehicles	4%

Road Tax for Three-Wheelers

Category	Road Tax
New auto-rickshaw (at the time of registration)	₹2,500

Road Tax for Four-Wheelers

Category	Tax Rate(% of vehicle cost)
Vehicles valued at less than ₹5 lakh	13%
New vehicles valued between ₹5 lakh-₹10 lakh	14%
New vehicles valued between ₹10 lakh-₹20 lakh	17%
New vehicles valued at over ₹20 lakh	18%
Vehicles less than 5 years old	75%-93%
Vehicles between 5 years-10 years old	49%-69%
Vehicles between 10 years-15 years old	45%-25%
Electric Vehicles	4%

Road Tax for Commercial Vehicles

Category	Tax Rate(% of vehicle cost)
New vehicles valued at less than ₹5 lakh	13%
New vehicles valued between ₹5 lakh-₹10 lakh	14%
New vehicles valued between ₹10 lakh-₹20 lakh	17%
New vehicles valued at over ₹20 lakh	18%
Vehicles less than 5 years old	75%-93%
Vehicles between 5 years-10 years old	49%-69%
Vehicles between 10 years-15 years old	45%-25%
Electric Vehicles	4%

Road Tax for Out-of-State Vehicles

Duration of Vehicle Use	Remedial Measures
Less than 30 days	Not Applicable
30 days-11 months	Apply for a change of address only
More than 11 months	Re-register the vehicle in Karnataka and pay taxes accordingly

How to Pay Road Tax Online in Karnataka?

Paying road tax online in Karnataka is quite simple using the Vahan 4.0 portal. To get started, read these steps and pay up within minutes!

Step 1 : Visit the Vahan Citizen Services Portal.

Step 2 : Enter your vehicle’s registration number, State, and RTO. 

Step 3 : Click on ‘I accept’ followed by ‘Proceed.’

Step 4 : Click on ‘Pay Your Tax.’

Step 5 : Enter your registration number.

Step 6 : Now you can pay your road tax through the payment gateway that appears on your screen.

Step 7 : Once you’ve made your payment successfully, you can print or download the receipt.

What is the Road Tax Penalty in Karnataka?

If you bring a vehicle from another state to Karnataka, you can drive it for up to one year without paying road taxes. However, it's important to pay the road tax within the given grace period of 30 days to avoid any complications.

For example, if you bring a car from Maharashtra to Karnataka, you can freely drive it within the state for up to a year without paying road taxes. But if you fail to pay the road tax within the initial 30-day period, the authorities may impound your vehicle. To get your vehicle released, you will need to pay the pending road tax amount.

So, it's crucial to ensure timely payment of road taxes to avoid any inconvenience and legal complications related to driving an out-of-state vehicle in Karnataka.

The Bottom Line

As we wrap up this guide on paying your road tax online in Karnataka, we are confident that you now have all the essential information to complete the process smoothly. If you ever feel confused at any point, you can always revisit this blog and go through the steps again for clarification!

FAQs

Q. What vehicles are exempted from paying road tax in Karnataka?

Two and four-wheeled electric vehicles are exempted from paying road tax in Karnataka.

Q. How often do I need to pay road tax in Karnataka?

You need to pay the road tax only once when you purchase a new vehicle. If you delay the payment beyond the specified window, you may incur penalties. If you transfer your vehicle from one State to another, you need to re-register your vehicle and pay the road tax in the new State.

Q. Which State in India has the highest amount of road tax?

Karnataka charges the highest amount of road tax in India.

Q. Is the road tax refund process online? 

Unfortunately, the road tax refund process is not online. If you wish to apply for a road tax refund, you need to visit the nearest RTO and complete the process of applying for a road tax refund. 

Q. Where can I check the status of road tax in Karnataka?

You can check the road tax status in Karnataka on the Parivahan website. You only require the registration number of your vehicle to check and pay road tax online.

Check the Tax Rates in Other States

Andhra Pradesh Road Tax	Manipur Road Tax
Arunachal Pradesh Road Tax	Meghalaya Road Tax
Assam Road Tax	Mizoram Road Tax
Bihar Road Tax	Nagaland Road Tax
Chhattisgarh Road Tax	Odisha Road Tax
Goa Road Tax	Punjab Road Tax
Gujarat Road Tax	Rajasthan Road Tax
Haryana Road Tax	Sikkim Road Tax
Himachal Pradesh Road Tax	Tamil Nadu Road Tax
Jharkhand Road Tax	Telangana Road Tax
Karnataka Road Tax	Tripura Road Tax
Kerala Road Tax	Uttar Pradesh Road Tax
Madhya Pradesh Road Tax	Uttarakhand Road Tax
Maharashtra Road Tax	West Bengal Road Tax