Vehicle Road Tax & Charges in Punjab
Know all about VAHAN/Parivahan Tax & RTO Charges in Punjab
Are you looking to invest in a car or bike? Before doing so, make sure that you consider the cost of owning such vehicles. From fuel to insurance premiums, motorised cars or bikes come bearing several additional expenses besides their price tag. Punjab road tax is another such expense, which you may fail to consider when buying your first two-wheeler or four-wheeler.
But what could a road tax be? Why do you need to pay for it?
Before ascertaining your road tax liabilities, you would first need to determine what such taxes entail.
Road Tax in Punjab
The state government of Punjab charges road taxes from its residents who own motorised vehicles. This taxed amount is utilised for the upkeep of roads, ensuring safe and efficient driving conditions.
Additionally, the same amount is also utilised to keep travellers secure as they traverse through Punjab roads.
Almost all vehicle owners need to service these taxes, as levied by the state authorities. The Motor Vehicles Act of 1988 is responsible for the collection and regulation of these taxes. However, provisions under the Motor Vehicles Taxation Act of 1924 determine the tax rates.
Punjab is the first Indian state to efficiently embrace digitalisation and introduced VAHAN and SARATHI throughout the state.
How Road Tax is Calculated in Punjab?
RTO tax Punjab is calculated using several associated factors, such as:
- Age
- Cost
- Usage purpose
- Engine capacity
Read on to know more about Punjab road tax slab!
Road Tax for Two-wheelers in Punjab
Before assessing the various slabs, one should understand that two different types of rates are followed, one before any amendment to the Motor Vehicles Taxation Act 1924 and another one after an amendment came into being.
Two-wheeler Tax Rates Prior to Amendment
| Vehicle Age | Two-wheelers with Unladen Weight of up to 95 kg | Two-wheelers with Unladen Weight of more than 95 kg |
| Less than 3 years | Rs.120 | Rs.400 |
| Between 3 and 6 years | Rs.90 | Rs.300 |
| Between 6 and 9 years | Rs.60 | Rs.200 |
| Older than 9 years | Rs.30 | Rs.100 |
Two-wheeler Tax Rates After Amendment
In case of vehicle registration post the amendment, two-wheeler owners would need to service 1.5% of a vehicle’s cost as road taxes if the bike/scooter in question had an engine capacity of up to 50cc. In case, this capacity was beyond 50cc, the road tax rate applicable would be 3% of that vehicle’s cost.
Keep in mind that in either case, individuals need to pay such road taxes through a lump-sum payment, instead of instalments.
Road Tax for Four-wheelers in Punjab
For cars too, the tax slab depends on when a vehicle was registered. Take a look at what you must know!
Four-wheeler Tax Rates Prior to Amendment
| Vehicle Age | Up to 4 Seats and 5 Seats | Up to 6 Seats |
| Less than 3 years | Rs.1800 | Rs.2100 | Rs.2400 |
| Between 3 and 6 years | Rs.1500 | Rs.1650 | Rs.1800 |
| Between 6 and 9 years | Rs.1200 | Rs.1200 | Rs.1200 |
| More than 9 years | Rs.900 | Rs.750 | Rs.7500 |
Although lump-sum payment is necessary, individuals are required to service these liabilities quarterly.
Four-wheeler Tax Rates After Amendment
If your vehicle has been registered after the amendment to taxation guidelines, you would need to service road taxes on your four-wheeler based on its cost and not its age. Any four-wheeler for personal use would be liable to service taxes at 2% the vehicle cost under such a circumstance.
Border Tax for Vehicles Passing Through Punjab
The following categories determine the border tax applicable on vehicles registered in other states passing through Punjab -
- Motor Car, Tractor or Omnibus – Any such vehicle with a seating capacity of up to 10 passengers, excluding the driver, is liable to pay Rs.200 as border tax. Keep in mind that three-wheeled vehicles are not taxed under this system.
- Any Other Type of Motor Vehicles – For all other motorised vehicles passing through Punjab, taxes amounting to Rs.1500 would be applicable.
Penalty for Non-payment of Punjab Road Taxes
Every vehicle owner must pay road taxes in Punjab during its registration. However, if one fails to do the same, it can lead to hefty penalties, ranging between Rs.1000 and Rs.5000. In severe cases, the state authorities can also confiscate your vehicle’s important documents. Thus, make sure to clear RTO tax Punjab at the earliest.
Road Tax Payment Online
Follow the steps mentioned below to complete your road tax liability payment online. This is the faster method, often saving considerable amounts of time:
- Step 1: Visit the official portal for Punjab Transport.
- Step 2: Next, choose the ‘Online Motor Vehicle Payment System to proceed.
- Step 3: Enter your ID and password to login to this portal.
- Step 4: Alternatively, new users of this portal can select the appropriate option to initiate an account.
- Step 5: Provide all of the necessary details, as per the instruction on your screen.
- Step 6: Individuals can next choose their preferred mode of road tax payment from options, such as debit card, internet banking and credit card.
- Step 7: Once tax payment is complete, save the tax receipt for future reference and need.
Individuals who are not competent with this online payment system can also visit one of the local RTOs to clear tax liabilities.
List of RTOs in Punjab
| RTO LOCATIONS | RTO CODE |
|---|---|
| Chandigarh | PB-01 |
| Rajpura | PB-39 |
| Amritsar | PB-02 |
| Rampura Phul | PB-40 |
| Bathinda | PB-03 |
| Sultanpur Lodhi | PB-41 |
| Ferozepur | PB-04 |
| Samana | PB-42 |
| Faridkot | PB-05 |
| Samrala | PB-43 |
| Gurdaspur | PB-06 |
| Sunam | PB-44 |
| Hoshiarpur | PB-07 |
| Talwandi Sabo | PB-45 |
| Jalandhar | PB-08 |
| Tarn Taran | PB-46 |
| Kapurthala | PB-09 |
| Zira | PB-47 |
| Ludhiana | PB-10 |
| Amloh | PB-48 |
| Patiala | PB-11 |
| Khamano | PB-49 |
| Ropar | PB-12 |
| Budhlada | PB-50 |
| Sangrur | PB-13 |
| Jhunir / Sardulgarh | PB-51 |
| Ajnala | PB-14 |
| Bassi Pathana | PB-52 |
| Abohar | PB-15 |
| Malout | PB-53 |
| Anandpur Sahib | PB-16 |
| Mukerian | PB-54 |
| Baba Bakala | PB-17 |
| Payal | PB-55 |
| Batala | PB-18 |
| Raikot | PB-56 |
| Barnala | PB-19 |
| Bholath | PB-57 |
| Balachaur | PB-20 |
| Dera Baba Nanak | PB-58 |
| Dasuya | PB-21 |
| Dhuri | PB-59 |
| Fazilka | PB-22 |
| Gidderbaha | PB-60 |
| Fatehgarh Sahib | PB-23 |
| Jalalabad | PB-61 |
| Garhshankar | PB-24 |
| Jaitu | PB-62 |
| Jagraon | PB-25 |
| Khadoor Sahib | PB-63 |
| Khanna | PB-26 |
| Moonak | PB-64 |
| Kharar | PB-27 |
| Mohali | PB-65 |
| Malerkotla | PB-28 |
| Nihal Singh Wala | PB-66 |
| Moga | PB-29 |
| Shahkot | PB-67 |
| Muktsar | PB-30 |
| Dhar Kalan | PB-68 |
| Mansa | PB-31 |
| Bagha Purana | PB-69 |
| Nawanshahr | PB-32 |
| Dera Bassi | PB-70 |
| Nakodar | PB-33 |
| Chamkaur Sahib | PB-71 |
| Nabha | PB-34 |
| Patran | PB-72 |
| Pathankot | PB-35 |
| Tappa Mandi | PB-73 |
| Phagwara | PB-36 |
| Nangal | PB-74 |
| Phillaur | PB-37 |
| Lehra | PB-75 |
| Patti | PB-38 |
| Ahmedgarh | PB-76 |
| Guru Harsahai | PB-77 |
| Banga | PB-78 |
| Kotkapura | PB-79 |
| Malur Mandi | PB-80 |
Simply knowing about Punjab road tax is not enough. You must also take adequate steps to clear any existing dues immediately.
Pay your taxes and keep driving freely!
FAQs about Road Tax in Punjab
Which department is in charge of collecting road taxes in Punjab?
The state’s transport department is in charge of road tax collection. This is done in lieu of provision 213 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. Besides this tax collection, this particular department is also responsible for operating driving schools in Punjab and issuing fitness certificates.
What payment modes are available when paying Punjab road tax offline?
Individuals can choose to service road taxes offline through RTOs. One would need to visit any of the 80 Regional Transport Offices in Punjab to do this. He/she would then need to fill out a form, provide the necessary documentation and clear such payment. Demand draft and cash are two of the acceptable modes of payment in such cases.
What is the yearly road tax due for a 4-seat four-wheeler aged less than 3 years in Punjab, with registration prior to amendment in taxation?
As per the existing tax slab, such a vehicle owner is liable to bear road taxes at Rs.1800 per quarter. Thus, the yearly tax rate would be Rs.7200 considering the four quarterly payments. Keep in mind that each quarter’s payment must be borne through a lump-sum payment.