Road tax in Bangalore is a mandatory charge paid by vehicle owners for using public roads, governed by the Karnataka Motor Vehicles Taxation Act 1957 and was updated on 27th January, 2025. It is usually collected as a one-time lifetime tax at the time of vehicle registration, based on the vehicle’s cost and type. New vehicle owners and those moving from other states should understand the applicable tax rates, payment process, and re-registration rules to avoid penalties.
Road tax in Bangalore is calculated based on the vehicle’s ex-showroom price, type, fuel type, and engine capacity. For private vehicles, it is usually charged as a one-time lifetime tax (up to 15 years) at the time of registration. Higher-value vehicles attract higher tax slabs, while additional cess applies as per the latest Karnataka government rules.
Road tax in Bangalore is levied by the Karnataka State Government under the Karnataka Motor Vehicles Taxation Act and is collected through the Regional Transport Offices (RTOs). The State Government is responsible for fixing tax rates, collecting road tax, and managing its utilisation for road and transport infrastructure, while the Central Government frames the broader motor vehicle laws through the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, which states follow while implementing taxation and registration rules.
The road tax in Bangalore for two-wheelers is:
| Two-Wheeler Category | Road Tax Rate (Approx.) |
|---|---|
| New bike costing up to ₹50,000 | 10% of the vehicle cost |
| New bike costing ₹50,000 – ₹1,00,000 | 12% of the vehicle cost |
| Electric two-wheelers | 4% of the vehicle cost |
| New bike costing above ₹1,00,000 | 18% of the vehicle cost |
| Additional cess at registration | ₹500 (for new two-wheelers) |
In Bangalore (Karnataka), road tax for three-wheelers like auto-rickshaws is generally a fixed lump-sum amount paid at the time of registration based on official state road tax rules.
| Three-Wheeler Category | Road Tax Rate (Approx.) |
|---|---|
| New auto-rickshaw at registration | ₹2,500 |
| Registered auto-rickshaw (≤ 2 years old) | ₹2,400 |
| Registered auto-rickshaw (2–3 years old) | ₹2,300 |
| Registered auto-rickshaw (3–4 years old) | ₹2,200 |
| Registered auto-rickshaw (4–5 years old) | ₹2,100 |
| Registered auto-rickshaw (5–6 years old) | ₹2,000 |
| Registered auto-rickshaw (6–7 years old) | ₹1,900 |
| Registered auto-rickshaw (7–8 years old) | ₹1,800 |
| Registered auto-rickshaw (8–9 years old) | ₹1,700 |
| Registered auto-rickshaw (9–10 years old) | ₹1,600 |
| Registered auto-rickshaw (> 10 years old) | ₹1,500 |
This table reflects typical lifetime road tax amounts payable for three-wheelers in Karnataka; exact figures may vary slightly with RTO assessment and any applicable cess.
In Bangalore (Karnataka), road tax for four-wheelers like cars is charged as a percentage of the vehicle’s cost at registration, with slabs based on price and age of the vehicle.
| Four-Wheeler Category | Road Tax Applicable |
|---|---|
| New car costing below ₹5 lakh | 13% of the vehicle cost |
| New car costing ₹5 lakh – ₹10 lakh | 14% of the vehicle cost |
| New car costing ₹10 lakh – ₹20 lakh | 17% of the vehicle cost |
| New car costing above ₹20 lakh | 18% of the vehicle cost |
| Electric four-wheelers | Around 4% of the vehicle cost |
| Cars up to 5 years old | 75% – 93% of original tax |
| Cars 5–10 years old | 49% – 69% of original tax |
| Cars 10–15 years old | 25% – 45% of original tax |
| Additional cess (new cars) | ₹1,000 at registration |
These rates reflect the current lifetime tax slabs used by the Karnataka RTO for first-time registration and the reduced tax percentages for older vehicles.
Commercial vehicle road tax in Bangalore is charged annually and is calculated based on the vehicle type, seating capacity, weight, and usage. Unlike private vehicles, commercial vehicles do not pay lifetime tax.
| Vehicle Type | Road Tax (Approx.) |
|---|---|
| Auto-rickshaw (Passenger) | ₹2,500 per year |
| Taxi / Cab (LMV – Commercial) | ₹6,000 – ₹9,000 per year |
| Maxi cab / Tourist vehicle | ₹8,000 – ₹12,000 per year |
| Mini bus | ₹12,000 – ₹18,000 per year |
| Stage carriage / Bus | Based on seating capacity & route permit |
| Vehicle Category | Road Tax (Approx.) |
|---|---|
| Goods vehicle up to 1,500 kg | ₹2,500 per year |
| Goods vehicle 1,500 – 2,000 kg | ₹10,000 per year |
| Goods vehicle 2,000 – 3,000 kg | ₹15,000 per year |
| Goods vehicle 3,000 – 5,500 kg | ₹20,000 per year |
| Heavy goods vehicle (above 5,500 kg) | ₹25,000+ per year |
| Tractor (commercial use) | ₹1,500 per year |
| Trailer / Tipper | ₹500 – ₹2,000 per year |
| Construction equipment vehicle | Around 6% of vehicle cost |
Important Notes
Commercial vehicle tax in Karnataka is paid yearly, not lifetime.
Tax amount varies based on vehicle weight, seating capacity, and usage type.
Permit charges, fitness fees, and green tax (if applicable) are separate from road tax.
The ₹1,000 additional cess introduced in 2025 applies mainly to non-transport vehicles, not commercial fleets.
When you bring a vehicle registered in another Indian state into Karnataka, the road tax rules depend on how long you use it in the state:
| Duration of Stay in Karnataka | Road Tax / Action Required |
|---|---|
| Up to 30 days | No road tax payable in Karnataka |
| 30 days to 11 months | You must update your address with Karnataka RTO (no full tax payment yet) |
| Over 11 months (continuous stay) | You must re-register the vehicle in Karnataka and pay lifetime road tax applicable to that vehicle type |
Under the Karnataka Motor Vehicles Taxation Act, 1957, if a vehicle owner fails to pay the tax due, the law states that on conviction the person is punishable with a fine not less than the quarterly tax payable and may extend to the annual tax payable for that vehicle. If previously convicted, the fine shall be not less than twice the annual tax payable and may extend further. The amount of tax due may also be treated as a fine and recovered accordingly.
Paying road tax in Bangalore is a straightforward process managed by the Karnataka Transport Department. Vehicle owners can pay the tax either online through the Parivahan portal or offline at the local RTO, depending on the type of vehicle and registration status.
Visit the Parivahan Website: Go to the official Parivahan portal and select Online Services → Tax Payment.
Enter Vehicle Details: Enter your vehicle registration number and chassis details to fetch tax information.
Select Tax Type: Choose the applicable tax type – lifetime tax, quarterly tax, or re-registration tax (for other-state vehicles).
Verify Tax Amount: The system will automatically calculate the payable amount based on vehicle type, cost, and age.
Make Online Payment: Pay using net banking, debit card, or UPI.
Download Payment Receipt: After successful payment, download and save the tax receipt for future reference.
Visit the nearest RTO office
Submit Form 14 / Form 16 (as applicable)
Provide vehicle documents and ID proof
Pay the tax at the RTO counter
Collect the payment receipt
Here’s a quick overview of the latest road tax updates and rule changes in Bangalore.
The Motor Vehicles Taxation Schedule & Act for Karnataka has been updated, and the latest official schedule (including amendments up to 27-Jan-2025) is published by the Transport Department, Government of Karnataka.
The Karnataka Motor Vehicles Taxation (Second Amendment) Act, 2024 was notified in the official Karnataka Gazette and amended the Karnataka Motor Vehicles Taxation Act, 1957 to introduce an additional registration cess on private vehicles.
There is a new Amendment Act of 2025 (Karnataka Act No. 24 of 2025) which further amends taxation provisions (e.g., removing certain cost conditions for commercial vehicle tax), published in the Official Gazette of Karnataka on 04-Apr-2025.
Source - Karnataka Transport Department Act No. 24 and Act No.3 of 2025. You can find any updates on Road tax in Bangalore at - https://transport.karnataka.gov.in/36/motor-vehicles-taxation-schedule/
Road tax can be paid online through the Parivahan portal or offline at the nearest RTO. The payment is usually done at the time of vehicle registration or re-registration.
Road tax for a new car is calculated based on the vehicle’s ex-showroom price and fuel type. It is generally charged as a one-time lifetime tax.
Failure to pay road tax can lead to penalties, fines, or vehicle seizure. Authorities may also collect pending tax with additional charges.
Yes, electric vehicles enjoy lower road tax compared to petrol and diesel vehicles, as per the Karnataka government’s EV policy.
For second-hand cars, road tax is calculated based on the vehicle’s age and depreciated value rather than the original price.
Yes, you can check your vehicle’s tax and registration status online using your vehicle registration number.
Yes, but if the vehicle is used in Karnataka beyond the permitted duration, re-registration and payment of Karnataka road tax become mandatory.
Road tax should be paid at the time of registration or within the period specified by the transport authority to avoid penalties.
You can check your road tax details online through the vehicle registration services provided by the transport department.
You typically need the vehicle’s registration certificate, invoice, identity proof, address proof, and applicable forms.
Yes, vehicles older than 15 years may be required to pay tax based on age slabs and must undergo fitness renewal.
Yes, if the vehicle is used in Karnataka for an extended period, you must re-register it locally and pay the applicable road tax.
