RTO Charges & Road Tax Calculator

Road tax in India is calculated as a percentage of the ex-showroom price of the vehicle, and varies by state, vehicle type, and fuel type. For example, a petrol car in Maharashtra attracts 11% road tax, while in Karnataka it's 14%. Some states add a surcharge for company-owned vehicles. EV owners get complete or partial exemption in most states. The tax is paid at the time of registration and is a one-time lifetime payment for private vehicles.

For private vehicles, road tax in India is a one-time lifetime payment, collected at the time of registration. For commercial vehicles and some state-specific categories, a separate annual tax may apply. When you re-register a vehicle after moving to a new state, you may need to pay road tax in the new state (minus credit for what was paid in the original state, depending on the duration). Lifetime road tax rates range from 6% to 15% of ex-showroom price.

For a petrol car priced at ₹12 lakh ex-showroom in Maharashtra, the road tax is 11% = ₹1,32,000. For a diesel car, it's 13% = ₹1,56,000. EV cars are exempt from road tax. Add registration fee (₹600), hypothecation fee (₹1,500 if loan-financed), and HSRP charges (₹1,100 for cars). Total on-road price additions beyond ex-showroom are approximately ₹1.35–1.60 lakh for petrol/diesel cars in Maharashtra.

Most major states exempt electric vehicles from road tax as part of their EV adoption policies. Delhi, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Rajasthan, UP, Haryana, and several other states offer full EV road tax exemption. Karnataka charges 5% for EVs (reduced from the 14% petrol rate). West Bengal, MP, and Kerala do not currently offer EV exemptions. Always check the latest state EV policy as exemptions are subject to revision.

HSRP (High Security Registration Plate) is the tamper-proof number plate that's now mandatory for all new vehicles under a Supreme Court directive. It includes a unique laser-etched identification code and hot-stamped Indian flag for security. The charge ranges from ₹900 to ₹1,200 depending on vehicle type and state. HSRP must be fitted before the vehicle leaves the dealership for new vehicles registered after 2019.

Hypothecation is the process of pledging your vehicle as collateral when you take a car loan — the bank has a legal lien on the vehicle until the loan is repaid. The hypothecation entry in the RC (Registration Certificate) costs ₹1,500 as a one-time government fee. Once your loan is repaid, you must apply for hypothecation termination (Form 35) and get the RC updated. Vehicles purchased without a loan do not require hypothecation.

The central government-prescribed registration fee for new cars is ₹600, standardised across India since the Motor Vehicles Act amendment. This is separate from road tax (which is state-determined and the largest component). Additional charges include smart card/RC book fee, HSRP, and hypothecation fee if applicable. The total non-road-tax registration charges typically amount to ₹3,000–5,000 for a standard car loan purchase with HSRP.

Yes, road tax can be paid online through the Vahan portal (vahan.parivahan.gov.in) in most states. Dealers typically handle new vehicle registration including road tax payment on the buyer's behalf. For re-registration after moving states or for commercial vehicle renewals, you can pay online through the Vahan portal or the respective state RTO portal. Parivahan.gov.in is the central MoRTH portal for all vehicle-related services including tax payments.