Road Tax in Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu is home to Tamil - one of the oldest languages in the world, as well as a large number of people who are subject to road tax if they purchase their own vehicle in the state, under the Tamil Nadu Motor Vehicle Taxation Act, 1974.

Updated On - 06 Sep 2025

In the state of Tamil Nadu, the road tax is calculated as per provisions of the Tamil Nadu Motor Vehicle Taxation act of 1974.

The tax to be paid depends on the type of vehicle and the act states that every vehicle in the state of Tamil Nadu is required to pay the road tax.

Latest Tamil Nadu Road Tax Rates for Two-wheelers

Cost of a Vehicle

Taxation Rate on Vehicle Price

< 5 Lakh

12%

From 5-10 Lakh

13%

From 10-20 Lakh

18%

>20 Lakh

20%

Latest Tamil Nadu Road Tax Rates for Four-wheelers

Cost of a Vehicle

Taxation Rate on Vehicle Price

<5 lakh

12%

From 5-10 lakh

13%

From 10-20 Lakh

18%

>20 lakh

20%

How to Pay Road Tax In Tamil Nadu?

If a vehicle owner is in Tamil Nadu and needs to pay road tax, they can do so at any of the regional transport offices using cash or demand drafts, or they can pay road tax online. Transport vehicles now have the choice to pay road tax online rather than the required payment at the regional transport offices.

Vehicle Tax Particulars in Tamil Nadu

For Two Wheelers registered prior to 1989 with or without trailers attached the tax payable is

Type of Two Wheeler

Tax per Year

Motorcycles between 50 to 75 cc

Rs. 135

Motorcycles between 75 to 170 cc

Rs. 200

Motorcycles exceeding 175 cc

Rs. 240

Carriages for Invalids

Rs. 32

For Two Wheelers registered post 1989, the tax payable is

Period

Motorcycles below 50 cc

Motorcycles between 50 to 75 cc

Motorcycles between 75 to 170 cc

Motorcycles exceeding 175 cc and tricycles

At time of registration

1000

1500

2500

3000

Less than 1 year old

945

1260

1870

2240

Between 1 to 2 years

880

1210

1790

2150

Between 2 to 3 years

815

1150

1700

2040

Between 3 to 4 years

750

1080

1600

1920

Between 4 to 5 years

675

1010

1500

1800

Between 5 to 6 years

595

940

1390

1670

Between 6 to 7 years

510

860

1280

1530

Between 7 to 8 years

420

780

1150

1380

Between 8 to 9 years

325

690

1020

1220

Between 9 to 10 years

225

590

880

1050

More than 10 years old

115

490

720

870

For cars, Jeeps Omni Buses etc. The tax payable is

Classification

Imported Vehicles

Indian Manufactured vehicles owned by individuals

Indian Manufactured vehicles owned by others

Not exceeding 700 Kgs unladen weight

1800

600

1200

Between 700 to 1500 Kgs unladen weight

2350

800

1600

Between 1500 to 2000 Kgs unladen weight

2700

1000

2000

Between 2000 to 3000 Kgs unladen weight

2900

1100

2200

Exceeding 3000 Kgs unladen weight

3300

1250

2500

Vehicles may now pay lifetime tax as of 2023. The lifetime tax for four-wheeled vehicles, including cars, jeeps, omnibuses, and other non-transportation vehicles, is 10% of the vehicle's cost if the vehicle is priced upto Rs.10 Lakh. 15% of the car's total cost is the tax that must be paid if the cost of the vehicle exceeds RS 10 Lakh. The maximum lifetime tax that can be paid on non-transport motorcycles is 12% of the vehicle's purchase price.

If the vehicle is a battery-operated non-transport four-wheeler, then the lifetime tax payable is 5% of the cost of the vehicle if the cost of the vehicle is below RS 10 lakh and 7.5% of the cost of the vehicle if the cost is above RS 10 Lakh. If the vehicle is a battery-operated non-transport two-wheeler, then the lifetime tax payable is 4% of the cost of the vehicle.

FAQs on Road Tax in Tamil Nadu

  • How much of a green tax does Tamil Nadu have?

    In Tamil Nadu, vehicles older than 15 years are subject to a green tax. For individual cars, the tax is Rs.2,000, while for commercial vehicles, it is Rs. 4000. The Budget for 2017–18 included the introduction of the Green Tax. 

  • Do electric vehicles not have to pay road taxes?

    Yes, Tamil Nadu exempts electric vehicles from paying road taxes. The road tax for electric vehicles would be waived for three years starting from the date of registration, according to a statement from the Tamil Nadu government. This action is anticipated to encourage the use of electric vehicles in the state and contribute to the reduction of air pollution. 

  • Can I drive a different state vehicle in Tamil Nadu?

    There are rules regarding the type of vehicle you have and how long you can drive a car from another state in Tamil Nadu. However, if you choose to relocate your car permanently to Tamil Nadu, you'll need to finish re-registering it and pay the necessary road taxes. 

  • How do I calculate the car road tax in Tamil Nadu?

    In Tamil Nadu, the road tax is calculated using the following equation: (engine capacity in cc x wheelbase in mm / 1000) + (length x width x height / 1000000). 

  • What distinguishes a toll tax from a road tax?

    The road tax is paid at the time of purchase since it must be paid before a vehicle can be driven on a public road. In contrast to toll taxes, which must be paid each time a vehicle crosses a bridge or road subject to a toll, these payments are often made once. The government wants to recoup the cost of building and maintaining certain bridges and roads, thus these infrastructure projects impose a fee. 

  • Who needs to pay road tax in Tamil Nadu?

    Any person purchasing a new car is required to pay a road tax to the Tamil Nadu government. The cost of the car is used to determine the tax amount. Along with this, the weight of the vehicle as a whole and its complete capacity for passengers are taken into account when determining the road tax. 

  • Do I still have to pay road tax if I purchase a used car?

    If the former owner of the car paid a one-time road tax, you do not need to pay it again. However, if the tax was paid annually or for a set amount of time, you must pay the tax for the remaining time or as long as you are using the car. 

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