Tamil Nadu Road Tax: Complete Guide on Calculation, Rates & Online Payment

The wondrous state of Tamil Nadu is home to many attractions like the ancient temple town of Madurai, the breezy and calm shores of the Mahabalipuram, the mist-covered hill town of Kodaikanal etc. If you own and drive a vehicle in the state, you must pay the mandatory road tax levied as per the Central Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.

The sections below will help you learn more about paying the required road tax to ensure a hassle-free experience while travelling through the state.

Tamil Nadu Road Tax

The State Government levies the mandatory road tax on all vehicle owners as per the Tamil Nadu Motor Vehicles Taxation Act, 1974. The road taxes you pay in Tamil Nadu are collected by the RTOs, and are then utilised by the Public Works Department to maintain and develop roads in the state. 

Tamil Nadu Road Tax Calculation

The amount of Tamil Nadu road tax payable, depends on the type of vehicle you own and your vehicle's engine capacity (CC). The rates also differ for petrol-powered and diesel-powered vehicles.

The following factors can affect the calculation of road tax in Tamil Nadu:

1. The type of vehicle that you own.

2. The purpose for which the vehicle will be used.

3. The age of the vehicle.

4. The displacement or engine capacity of the vehicle.

5. The registered seating capacity of the vehicle.

6. The fuel type of the vehicle

Road Tax in Tamil Nadu for Two-Wheelers

The road tax for new two-wheelers in Tamil Nadu is 8% of the total cost of the vehicle and charged by the RTO at the time of registration. Further, you can have a glance at the table below to understand the calculation of the road tax in Tamil Nadu for older vehicles. 

Road Tax in Tamil Nadu for Three-Wheelers

Road tax for three-wheelers in Tamil Nadu is levied based on the following table:

For example, if the value of your three-wheeler is Rs. 1,00,000, then the road tax payable would be Rs. 4,000.

Road Tax in Tamil Nadu for Four-Wheelers

The State Government of Tamil Nadu, levies road tax on four-wheeler vehicle owners based on factors such as, the vehicle's age and the cost of the vehicle wherever applicable. You can find detailed information on the same below:

Commercial Vehicles Road Tax in Tamil Nadu

If you own a commercial vehicle in Tamil Nadu, the road tax levied will be based on the payload. The following table details the road tax rates for the same:

Road Tax for Other State Vehicles in Tamil Nadu

If you permanently transfer your vehicle from another state to Tamil Nadu, then you must re-register it at the local RTO and pay the applicable road tax at the time. The amount of tax you pay will depend on the type and size of your vehicle. 

To pay road tax for a vehicle registered in another state, you will need to submit the following documents:

• Registration certificate of the vehicle

• Insurance certificate of the vehicle

• Valid ID proof of the owner/driver

• Address proof of the owner/driver

Once you have submitted the required documents, you can make payment online or at any RTO office in Tamil Nadu. How to Pay Tamil Nadu Road Tax Online?

You can pay the Tamil Nadu road tax online through the official Parivahan website. The steps to follow for online payment are as follows:

Step1: Access the Parivahan website.

Step2: Click on "Online Services" and select the "Vehicles Related Services" option.

Step3: Choose the state of Tamil Nadu from the dropdown list and then select your local RTO.

Step4: On the next page, enter the vehicle's registration number and all the required information. 

Step5: Once your details have been verified, you can pay your Tamil Nadu road tax online, and download a copy of the receipt. 

If you plan on paying the road tax offline, you can follow the steps given below.

• Gather the required documents mentioned below. 

• Visit the nearest RTO or the one where you registered your vehicle.

• Submit the necessary documents and pay the road tax.

• After you pay, you will receive a receipt confirming the payment.

If you decide to pay the road tax at the local RTO, you will have to carry the following documents with you:

• The Registration Certificate (RC) of the vehicle

• The certificate of Insurance of the vehicle

• A copy of the vehicle's invoice

• Documents to serve as proof of address (Passport, Utility Bills, Voter ID card, etc.)

• Form number KMVT14 (Applicable only if you are re-registering a vehicle from a different state)

• No Objection Certificate (Applicable only if you are re-registering a vehicle from a different state)

Penalty for Non-payment of Road Tax in Tamil Nadu

Vehicle owners in Tamil Nadu who do not pay road taxes are subject to a fine. The fine will be proportional to the amount of road tax that is still outstanding.

If taxes are underpaid for more than 4 weeks beyond the day they were due, 100% of the overall penalty may be imposed in Tamil Nadu in accordance with the law. If you are discovered driving without paying the road tax, you risk having your car seized due to the violation.

List of Different Motor Insurance Plans

According to the Motor Vehicles Act of 1988, having insurance coverage for your automobile is a legal necessity. Failure to comply may result in fines as well as liability issues. The table below details a few insurance policies offered by ACKO, which you must consider:

Conclusion 

You must thus pay the compulsory road tax to the State Government as mandated by the Tamil Nadu Motor Vehicles Taxation Act, 1974. Paying your road tax on time will prevent undue penalties from being levied on you.

You must ensure to also purchase or renew an insurance policy as per the Central Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. A motor insurance will protect you from potential financial liability, should the need arise! You can refer to the ACKO website or app, for more information on motor insurance policies and beneficial add-ons.

Frequently Asked Questions

FAQs

To what extent does Tamil Nadu have a Green Tax?

In Tamil Nadu, the Green Tax is levied on vehicles over 15 years old. The tax is Rs. 2,000 for private cars and Rs. 4,000 for commercial vehicles. The Green Tax was introduced in the Budget for 2017-18.

Which Tamil Nadu automobiles are road tax-free?

As per the Tamil Nadu Motor Vehicles Taxation Act, 1974, the following vehicles are exempted from road tax:

• Hand-drawn vehicles

• Invalid carriages

• Electric vehicles

• Military vehicles

• Agricultural implements which are drawn by animals.

• Government-owned vehicles which are used for official purposes only.

Are electric vehicles exempt from road tax?

Yes, there is an exemption road tax on electric vehicles in Tamil Nadu. The Tamil Nadu government has announced that the road tax on electric vehicles will be exempted for three years from the registration date. This move is expected to promote the adoption of electric vehicles in the state and help reduce air pollution.

How do I compute the Tamil Nadu car road tax?

The following formula computes the road tax in Tamil Nadu: (engine capacity in cc x wheelbase in mm / 1000) + (length x width x height / 1000000).

Can I drive another state vehicle in Tamil Nadu?

You can drive a vehicle from another state in Tamil Nadu for a certain period of time and the policy around the type of vehicle you have. However, if you decide to permanently move your vehicle to Tamil Nadu, then you must complete its re-registration and pay the applicable road tax.

Explore More:

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Disclaimer: The content on this page is generic and shared only for informational and explanatory purposes. It is based on several secondary sources on the internet, and is subject to changes.