Karnataka’s road tax system plays a crucial role in the state’s transport infrastructure. Road tax is a law-mandated charge levied on vehicles plying on roads in Karnataka, India. The revenue generated through road tax charges contributes to the maintenance and enhancement of road connectivity.
The Regional Transport Office (RTO) in Karnataka serves as the administering and regulating authority for overseeing vehicle-related services in the state, including issuing vehicle registration, granting permits, issuing and renewal of driver’s licenses, collection of road tax, controlling pollution, and the enforcement of road safety regulations within Karnataka. One of the distinctive features of this system is the allocation of unique RTO codes to different regions/functional zonal within the state. There are over 67 RTOs spread across Karnataka that carry out all transport-related activities. These RTO codes are used to identify and for registering vehicles in a special jurisdiction. It also plays a pivotal role in facilitating convenient access to and maintenance of the database.
| TYPE OF CHARGE | AMOUNT |
|---|---|
| Registration Charges | Rs. 600 – For all cars |
| Hypothecation Charges | Rs. 1,500 – If the car is purchased on a loan |
| Number Plate Charges | Rs. 230 – 400 – Same for HSRP Number Plate |
| Parking Fee/State Development Charges | Rs. 2,000 – MCD Parking Fees for cars under Rs. 4 Lakh Rs. 4,000 – MCD Parking Fees for cars above Rs. 4 Lakh (Applicable in some States) |
| Temporary Registration Charges | Rs. 1,200 – 1,500 – Temporary Registration for up to 1 month |
| Road Tax Charges | Cars under Rs. 5.0 Lakh: 13% Cars between Rs. 5.0 – 10.0 Lakh: 14% Cars between Rs. 10.0 – 20.0 Lakh: 17% Cars above 20.0 Lakh: 18% Additional: Infra Cess and Road Tax Cess calculated at 11% of Calculated Road Tax |
| FasTag Charges | Rs. 600 FasTag fees payable on purchase of the vehicle |