🇮🇳 India road tax calculator (at purchase)

India's road tax is a one-time charge at purchase, set by each state as a percentage of the car's ex-showroom price.

✓ Verified against 3 self-test cases Updated for 2026 · sources checked 2026-08-02

How road tax in India is calculated

Unlike an annual road tax, India charges a one-time road tax when a car is registered, and the rate is set by each state as a percentage of the ex-showroom price.

Rates vary widely: Karnataka runs 13-18%, Maharashtra 11% for petrol (diesel adds 2%), Tamil Nadu about 13% and Delhi 4-12.5% by price slab. Pick your state of registration from the dropdown to load a representative rate, or enter your own. Most states, Delhi and Karnataka among them, waive road tax entirely for electric vehicles.

Because it is a simple percentage of a known price, the figure is easy to check against the Vahan portal at registration. Estimate, not tax advice.

Worked example

C1 Karnataka, ex-showroom ₹1,200,000 at 18%
exShowroom1200000
stateKA
roadTax216000

Frequently asked questions

How much road tax on a ₹12 lakh car in Karnataka?

At an illustrative Karnataka rate of 18%, a 12 lakh ex-showroom price gives 2.16 lakh of one-time road tax. Adjust the rate to your state and price slab.

Is Indian road tax annual or one-time?

For private cars it is a one-time charge paid at registration, calculated as a percentage of the ex-showroom price. It is not billed every year.

Why does the rate vary so much by state?

Road tax is a state subject, so each state sets its own slabs by price and fuel type. Pick your state's rate to get an accurate figure.

Sources

Estimate. Not tax advice. The verification badge means the model reproduces the stated formula through 3 self-test cases; the sources support that the formula matches the rules.

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