Road Tax in Chennai

Here’s what you need to know about road tax in Chennai

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Are you thinking of buying a car in Chennai? Then it is crucial for you to be aware of the many additional expenses associated with owning it. The road tax and RTO fees are two significant expenses that you might incur while purchasing a vehicle. Now, how is road tax in Chennai calculated? It depends on the type and age of a vehicle. Depending on when a vehicle was first registered, the road tax rates may be determined by the engine size, fuel type, emissions, or other criteria.

How is Road Tax Calculated in Chennai?

Being a city in the southern state of Tamil Nadu, road tax in Chennai comes under the purview of the Tamil Nadu Motor Vehicles Taxation Act, 1974. The act lays down clear rules and regulations with respect to road tax and RTO charges for a new car in Chennai.

The road tax that you’re mandated to pay for your vehicle is dependent on a multitude of factors such as the make and model of your vehicle, its age, its engine capacity and the kind of fuel it runs on, and the purpose of the vehicle. Continue reading to know more about the road tax rates for both two-wheelers and four-wheelers in Chennai.

Two-Wheeler Road Tax in Chennai

The road taxation rules for two-wheelers in Chennai are very simple and easy to understand. In Chennai, all new two-wheelers are charged road tax at a flat rate of 8% of the cost of the vehicle irrespective of the make, model, and engine capacity.

However, for any subsequent registrations after the first registration, the tax rate varies depending on the age of the vehicle. Here’s a table that can help you understand it better.

Age of the Two-Wheeler (Since first registration)	Rate of Road Tax in Chennai (On the cost of the vehicle)
Up to 1 year	7.75%
1 to 2 years	7.5%
2 to 3 years	7.25%
3 to 4 years	7%
4 to 5 years	6.75%
5 to 6 years	6.5%
6 to 7 years	6.25%
7 to 8 years	6%
8 to 9 years	5.75%
9 to 10 years	5.5%
10 to 11 years	5.25%
More than 11 years	5%

Four-Wheeler Road Tax in Chennai

Again, as with the two-wheeler road tax in Chennai, the taxation scheme for four-wheelers is also quite simple. For all new four-wheelers costing below ₹10 Lakh, the road tax is charged at a flat rate of 10% of the cost of the vehicle. And for all new four-wheelers costing above ₹10 Lakh, the road tax is charged at a flat rate of 15% of the cost of the vehicle.

However, the road tax in chennai for four-wheelers undergoing re-registration is dependent on the vehicle’s age. The older the vehicle being re-registered, the lower the road tax rate. Check out the table below for more information.

Age of the Four-Wheeler (Since first registration)	Vehicles costing less than ₹10 Lakh	Vehicles costing more than ₹10 Lakh
Up to 1 year	8.75%	13.75%
1 to 2 years	8.5%	13.5%
2 to 3 years	8.25%	13.25%
3 to 4 years	8%	13%
4 to 5 years	7.75%	12.75%
5 to 6 years	7.5%	12.5%
6 to 7 years	7.25%	12.25%
7 to 8 years	7%	12%
8 to 9 years	6.75%	11.75%
9 to 10 years	6.5%	11.5%
10 to 11 years	6.25%	11.25%
More than 11 years	6%	11%

Commercial Vehicle Road Tax in Chennai

Vehicles that are used for commercial purposes are charged road tax not once, but periodically. In the case of road tax in Chennai, commercial vehicles are required to pay the tax every quarter. And the amount of tax that’s applicable is dependent on the laden weight of the vehicle. Check out the table below for more information on commercial vehicle road tax in Chennai.

Laden Weight of the Vehicle	Road Tax in Chennai (Quarterly)
Less than 3,000 kilograms	₹545
3,000 to 5,500 kilograms	₹885
5,500 to 9,000 kilograms	₹1,335
12,000 to 13,000 kilograms	₹1,930
13,000 to 15,000 kilograms	₹2,300
More than 15,000 kilograms	₹2,300 (plus ₹50 for every 250 kilograms above the laden weight of 15,000 kilograms)

How to Pay Road Tax in Chennai Online

Did you know that you can pay road tax in Chennai online? Yes, you read that right. All that you have to do is follow the below mentioned steps for road tax online payment in Chennai.

Use your web browser to visit this link - https://vahan.parivahan.gov.in/vahanservice/vahan/ui/statevalidation/homepage.xhtml

On the left side, you will see a section where you can enter your vehicle registration number. Enter it and click on the ‘Proceed’ button.
You will be redirected to a new webpage. Here, click on ‘Pay Your Tax’.
Once again, click on the ‘Verify Details’ option.
You will be asked to enter your registered mobile number to generate an OTP.
Generate the OTP, enter it in the respective field, and click on ‘Submit’.
Choose the kind of tax that you wish to pay.
Choose the payment method that you’re comfortable with.
Complete the payment.

Penalty for Non-Payment of Road Taxes in Chennai

If you fail to pay your road tax on time within the due date, you will be liable to pay penalties for non-adherence to the laid out rules. Let’s take a look at the amount of penalties that you will be forced to pay.

Period of Delay	Amount of Penalty
Within 15 days from the last due date	1/4th of the quarterly tax payable
More than 15 days but less than 45 days from the last due date	½ of the quarterly tax payable
More than 45 days from the last due date	The amount of quarterly tax payable

Are there any vehicles exempted from road tax in Chennai?

Yes, vehicles such as funeral cars, ambulances, and those registered to the armed forces are exempted from road tax.

What about electric vehicles? Do they still have to pay road tax in Chennai?

Electric vehicles need not pay road tax for the first two years. However, beyond that, they will have to pay the tax.

What is the road tax in Chennai for other state vehicles that are re-registered in Chennai?

The road tax rates for such vehicles are dependent on the age of the vehicle and can range anywhere from 7.75% to 5% for two-wheelers and 13.75% to 6% for four-wheelers.