Vehicle Road Tax & Charges in Assam

Know all about VAHAN/Parivahan Tax & RTO Charges in Assam

Assam is one of the most beautiful states in India, with a rich culture and diversity. Millions of travellers visit the state every year, either for work or as tourists.

Unfortunately, recent data claims that the rate of accidents in Assam is inordinately high when compared to other north-eastern Indian states.

As per the National Crime Records Bureau, the state’s road witnessed more than 3800 fatal road accidents in 2019 alone Source: [1]

While a part of this can be blamed on negligence, other crucial causes of this increasing number of accidents are the imperfect road conditions. The state government is continuously trying to maintain roads with the help of Assam road tax.

Do you know your rad tax liabilities as a resident of the state?

Road Tax in Assam

Road tax is a specialised form of charge that motor vehicle owners need to bear across all Indian states. Assam state authorities, or more specifically the regional transport offices (RTOs) are responsible for the collection of road taxes.

Such taxes are paid during the vehicle’s registration, and they involve a one-time payment. With these funds, the state government undertakes the upkeep of roads, ensuring the best driving condition for both residents and tourists. Additionally, the money is also used to ensure optimal safety for travellers on these roads.

RTO tax Assam is based on the Motor Vehicles Taxation Act of 1936, which claims that all vehicles driving on the state’s roads must clear this tax beforehand unless they are specifically exempt from road taxes. Specific guidelines are followed to determine one’s liabilities.

How is it calculated? Well, read on to know more!

Road Tax Calculation: How is it done?

As per the guidelines laid down in the Motor Vehicles Taxation Act, the Assam government calculates road tax liable after considering the following factors –

Vehicle purpose
Vehicle age
Engine capacity
Make and model
Weight
Assembly location

The one-time road tax is always equal to a certain percentage of a car or bike’s cost. Keep in mind that the cost, in such cases, refers to the ex-showroom price and not the on-road price.

Here is how much tax you would need to pay if you own a two-wheeler or a car!

Road Tax Rates for Two-wheelers in Assam

Assam’s road tax on two-wheelers is calculated based on its weight. Here are the different categories and taxes applicable to them:

Weight Class	Tax Liable
Lighter than 65 kg	Rs.1500
65 kg to 90 kg	Rs.2500
90 kg to 135 kg	Rs.3500
Heavier than 135 kg	Rs.4000
Two-wheelers with sidecars	Rs.1000 (additional)

Bike/scooter owners must remember that this tax payment is valid for 15 years since the vehicle’s registration. After this period ends, owners would need to service either Rs.500 or Rs.1000 at intervals of 5 years, based on the bike’s weight category.

Road Tax Rates for Four-wheelers in Assam

Assam car owners wondering about RTO tax Assam on cars can refer to the following to assess their liabilities during the vehicle’s registration. Remember, for Cars and four-wheelers, the vehicle cost is considered for taxation.

Vehicle Cost	Tax Rate (% of vehicle’s cost)
Less than Rs.3 lakh	3%
Between Rs.3 lakh and Rs.15 lakh	4%
Between Rs.15 lakh and Rs.20 lakh	5%
More than Rs.20 lakh	7%

After 15 years pass this one-time tax payment, vehicle owners would need to service between Rs.5000 and Rs.12000 as road taxes every five years, based on the actual ex-showroom price.

Road Tax Rates for Commercial Vehicles in Assam

Passenger vehicles used for commercial purposes draw road taxes as well. However, these are not one-time charges. Instead, owners can service these taxes annually or through quarterly instalments.

Vehicle Type	Yearly Road Tax	Quarterly Instalment
Passenger cars with a seating capacity of up to 3 individuals	Rs.1000	Rs.300
Passenger cars with a seating capacity between 4 and 6 individuals	Rs.2000	Rs.600
Passenger cars with a seating capacity between 7 and 12 individuals	Rs.6000	Rs.600
Passenger vehicles with a seating capacity between 13 and 30 individuals	Rs.8000	Rs.2200
Passenger vehicles with a seating capacity for more than 30 individuals	Rs.8000 + Rs.90 for every additional seat after 30	Rs.2200 + Rs.23 for every additional seat beyond 30
Tourist omnibus	Rs.14000	Rs.3500
Deluxe Express Buses with a seating capacity of more than 30 individuals	Rs.10000 + Rs.100 for every additional seat beyond 30	Rs.2500 + Rs.25 for every additional seat beyond 30
All Assam Super Deluxe contract carriage	Rs.50000	Rs.12500

Penalty for Non-payment of Road Taxes in Assam

Assam road tax can be paid using a single payment by April 15 of each year or through four equal instalments on April, July, October and January. Failure to pay these taxes would result in hefty penalties, which can range up to 50% of the outstanding tax amount. For instance, if your outstanding tax is Rs.2000, delay in servicing the same can increase your payable taxes to up to Rs.3000 but not higher.

List of RTOs in Assam

To complete vehicle registration and pay road taxes offline, one should know the name and location of all available RTOs in the state. Here is the list of RTOs operating in Assam –

RTO LOCATIONS	RTO CODE
Guwahati, Kamrup	AS01
Dhubri	AS17
Nagaon	AS02
Goalpara	AS18
Jorhat	AS03
Bongaigaon	AS19
Sibsagar	AS04
Assam	AS20
Golaghat	AS05
Marigaon	AS21
Dibrugarh	AS06
Dhemaji	AS22
Lakhimpur district	AS07
Tinsukia	AS23
Dima Hasao	AS08
Hailakandi	AS24
Karbi Anglong	AS09
Kamrup Rural	AS25
Karimganj	AS10
Chirang	AS26
Cachar	AS11
Udalguri	AS27
Sonitpur	AS12
Baksa	AS28
Darrang	AS13
Assam new series	AS29
Nalbari	AS14
Assam	AS30
Barpeta	AS15
Assam	AS31
Kokrajhar	AS16

Now that you possess all of the necessary information regarding road tax payment in Assam, you are finally ready to own a vehicle in the state. After completing such formalities, drivers can venture out with their cars/bikes freely, without drawing fines, penalties or additional charges.

Keep driving and stay safe!

FAQs about Road Tax in Assam

✓ What is the applicable road tax rate on re-registration of vehicles from a different state in Assam?

The rate of taxes will remain the same for such vehicles as they are for vehicles originally registered in Assam. However, on older cars and bikes, a 7% per annum deduction is applicable to compensate for the depreciation of vehicular cost. This comes into effect when vehicles from other states undergo registration in Assam once again.

✓ What road tax rate is applicable on vehicles belonging to Central government staff or the Armed Forces visiting Assam?

Defence personnel or central government employees visiting Assam do not need to bear any road taxes in the state, provided they have borne such taxes on the said vehicle in another state. These represent just a few cases where exemptions to road tax payment are offered to visitors in a state.

✓ If a bike costs Rs.4 lakh, what would be its road tax liability after 15 years of registration?

A bike priced between Rs.3 lakh and Rs.15 lakh will require owners to pay Rs.7000 as road tax every five years after 15 years pass the one-time tax payment. This liability will be higher if the concerned two-wheeler’s price is higher than this range and vice versa.