Looking to pay Punjab road tax online? Before you know the process of Punjab road tax payment, you need to know what is road tax in Punjab, how much you need to pay, and what decides your Punjab RTO tax rate. This blog covers it all — factors that affect your RTO tax in Punjab, updated road tax list, and how to check and pay Punjab road tax online in a few steps.
What Is Punjab Road Tax?
Punjab road tax, also called motor vehicle tax, is a mandatory fee you pay to the Punjab government if you own a vehicle. It’s a basic charge — no extras, just your part in using public roads. The rule isn’t random. It comes from the Punjab Motor Vehicles Taxation Act, 1924. This law allows the state to collect tax on all vehicles. The Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 supports it nationally. Together, they make it clear: RTO tax in Punjab is the law.
Why You Pay It
Every rupee collected goes into building new roads, fixing old ones, and improving transport across Punjab. Paying road tax in Punjab isn’t just a rule — it’s how the state keeps your roads running.
- Driving without paying Punjab RTO tax is illegal.
- You may face fines or legal action.
- The money funds roads that benefit everyone.
Who must pay Punjab RTO Tax?
If your vehicle is used or kept in Punjab, you must pay road tax. This includes:
- Two-wheelers: bikes, scooters
- Four-wheelers: cars, SUVs
- Commercial vehicles: trucks, buses, autos
- Out-of-state vehicles: if used in Punjab beyond a short visit
Whether for personal or commercial use, paying Punjab road tax online or offline is a must.
Factors that decide Punjab Road Tax
The amount of Punjab road tax you pay depends on specific features of your vehicle. It’s not the same for everyone — here’s what affects your RTO tax in Punjab:
1. Vehicle Type
Different types mean different tax rates. Whether it’s a two-wheeler, four-wheeler, three-wheeler, or a commercial vehicle — each has its own tax slab under Punjab RTO tax rate rules.
2. Vehicle Price (Ex-Showroom)
For new vehicles, road tax is based on the ex-showroom price. Higher the cost, higher the tax. This is especially true for personal bikes and cars.
3. Engine Capacity (CC)
Mainly applies to two-wheelers. Bikes with smaller CC pay less. Bigger, more powerful engines attract more tax.
4. Vehicle Age
Older vehicles may have lower road tax compared to new ones. In some cases, age-based tax applies only after a few years or if the vehicle falls under old tax rules.
5. Usage Type: Personal or Commercial
RTO tax in Punjab is higher for commercial vehicles like taxis, buses, or trucks. Private use vehicles usually have a lower tax rate.
6. Unladen Weight (for Two-Wheelers)
Used mostly in older tax systems. Lighter bikes (below 95 kg) were taxed less. Though less common now, it still matters for some vehicles.
7. Seating Capacity (for Cars & Commercial Vehicles)
More seats = more tax. This is especially relevant for commercial vehicles like vans and buses, where tax is charged per seat annually.
Punjab RTO Tax Rates
A. Two-Wheelers (Motorcycles & Scooters)
1. For New Vehicles (Post-Amendment):
- Up to 50cc: 1.5% of ex-showroom price
- Above 50cc: 3% of ex-showroom price
2. For Older Vehicles (Pre-Amendment – Age & Weight Based):
| Age of Vehicle | Up to 95 kg | Above 95 kg |
|---|---|---|
| Under 3 years | ₹120 | ₹400 |
| 3–6 years | ₹90 | ₹300 |
| 6–9 years | ₹60 | ₹200 |
| Over 9 years | ₹30 | ₹100 |
B. Four-Wheelers (Personal Cars)
For New Vehicles (Post-Amendment):
- Flat 2% of ex-showroom price
Four-Wheelers (Older Vehicles – Pre-Amendment)
Up to 4 Seats
| Age of Vehicle | Tax Amount |
|---|---|
| Under 3 years | ₹1,800 |
| 3–6 years | ₹1,500 |
| 6–9 years | ₹1,200 |
| Over 9 years | ₹900 |
Up to 5 Seats
| Age of Vehicle | Tax Amount |
|---|---|
| Under 3 years | ₹2,100 |
| 3–6 years | ₹1,650 |
| 6–9 years | ₹1,200 |
| Over 9 years | ₹750 |
Up to 6 Seats
| Age of Vehicle | Tax Amount |
|---|---|
| Under 3 years | ₹2,400 |
| 3–6 years | ₹1,800 |
| 6–9 years | ₹1,200 |
| Over 9 years | ₹750 |
C. Commercial Vehicles
1. Goods Vehicles (Based on GVW):
| GVW Range | Annual Tax |
|---|---|
| Up to 1.2 tonnes | ₹3,000 |
| 1.2 – 6 tonnes | ₹4,000 |
| 6 – 16.2 tonnes | ₹5,000 |
| 16.2 – 25 tonnes | ₹8,000 |
| Over 25 tonnes | ₹15,000 |
2. Passenger/Stage Carriages (Buses, Tourist Vehicles):
- By Seat & Bus Type (Indicative Annual Rates):
- Ordinary bus: ₹2,050 per seat
- Deluxe Non-AC: ₹2,650 per seat
- AC Deluxe: ₹4,150 per seat
- Super Integral Bus: ₹5,000 per seat
- By Route & AC Type:
- Inter-state or city routes, AC buses, and luxury variants attract higher taxes.
- Other State Buses Entering Punjab:
- Ordinary bus: ₹6/km
- HVAC/Luxury: ₹7–₹13/km
3. Other Commercial Vehicles:
- School/Education Vehicles: ₹20,000/year
- Tractors (Commercial use): Separate fixed annual rates
- Motor Cabs/Taxis: Based on engine capacity and category
D. Three-Wheelers (Autos)
- New Autos: ₹8,000/year for every 50 vehicles (or part)
- Old Rate: ₹4,000/year per 50 vehicles
E. Vehicles from Other States Operating in Punjab
- Transport vehicles with ≤10 passengers: ₹200 (border fee)
- Other non-Punjab vehicles (except 3-wheelers): ₹1,500
Note: All rates and rules can change. For the latest and most accurate Punjab RTO tax rate for your vehicle, check the official Punjab Transport portal or Parivahan portal.
Procedure to pay Road Tax Punjab online
To make the procedure easy and quick for vehicle owners, the road tax levied on them can be paid through online mode on the official website of Punjab Transport. The online procedure also helps in saving a significant amount of time.
An applicant can complete the procedure to pay road tax Punjab online by following some simple steps mentioned below.
- Visit the official Parivahan Portal
- Click on “Online Services” > “Vehicle Related Services” from the top menu.
- Select “Punjab” from the state list to open VAHAN Punjab portal.
- Enter your vehicle registration number and select your registering authority (RTO), then click on “Proceed”.
- From the available services, select “Pay Your Tax” or “Online Tax”.
- Enter the last 5 characters of your chassis number and click on “Verify Details”.
- Choose the applicable tax mode – One-Time, Quarterly, or Annual. Verify the amount and click “Proceed to Pay”.
- Select your preferred payment method – Net Banking, Debit/Credit Card, or UPI – and complete the transaction.
- Download the PDF receipt after successful payment. Optionally, take a printout for records.
Re-verification in Case Payment Gets Stuck
- Go to the PARIVAHAN portal again and repeat the initial steps & go to vehicle service page.
- Click on “Status” and choose “Know Your Application Status”.
- Enter your registration number and captcha code, then copy the application number shown on the screen.
- Go back to “Status” and select “Re-verify Payment Transactions”.
- Enter your application number and captcha, then click on “Show Details”.
- Click on “Re-verify”, then “Check To Bank” and finally “Confirm Payment”.
- After successful re-verification, download and save your road tax payment receipt.
Documents Required for Punjab Road Tax
Whether you pay Punjab road tax online or offline, you’ll need:
- Vehicle Invoice Copy
- RC
- Valid Insurance Copy
- PUC Certificate
- ID + Address Proof (Aadhaar, Voter ID, etc.)
- Form 20 (for new vehicle registration)
- Form KMVT14 (for vehicles from other states)
- NOC (if you’re transferring your vehicle to Punjab or applying for refund)
Penalties for Late or Non-Payment of Road Tax Punjab
1. Fines & Interest – Late payment = Penalty of ₹1,000 to ₹5,000. Interest: 1.5% per month on overdue tax.
2. Legal Trouble – Your vehicle can be seized if you don’t pay. Driving without tax is illegal.
3. No Grace Period – Penalties apply right after the due date. Don’t delay.
Punjab Road Tax Exemptions
Some vehicles are exempt from paying road tax in Punjab:
1. Government Vehicles
Owned by State or Central Government, if not used commercially.
2. Special Categories (as per Punjab Motor Vehicles Taxation Act):
- Local authority vehicles
- School/college buses
- Ambulances
- Hearses
- Vehicles for disabled persons (invalid carriages)
- Trade certificate vehicles (test/demo use)
- Vehicles from other states for less than 30 days
Road Tax Refund in Punjab
You may qualify for a road tax refund in these cases:
- Vehicle scrapped or declared total loss
- You moved the vehicle to another state and re-registered it there
- Registration denied after tax payment
- Overpayment of tax
Documents Required for Refund
- Refund request letter with bank details
- Original tax payment receipt
- Old & new RC (if applicable)
- Chassis imprint
- Valid insurance copy
- PUC
- NOC from Punjab RTO (for relocation cases)
- Proof of interstate transfer (new RC, new tax receipt)
- Form 16 or DT (as required by RTO)
- ID + address proof
Note: Punjab road tax refund is offline only. Apply at your local RTO with all documents. There’s a time limit, so apply quickly if eligible.
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