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.
The state government is continuously trying to vitalise the road infrastructure with the help of Assam road tax.
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
| 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) |
| Old vehicle which are transferred from other state and need to be registered in Assam | After depreciation of 7% per annum on the tax payable in the other state, the tax in Assam is calculated |
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.700 or Rs.1000 at intervals of 5 years, based on the bike’s weight category.
Road Tax Rates for Four-wheelers in Assam
| 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% |
| Old vehicles that need to be registered in Assam on transfer from another state | One time tax is fixed taking a 7% depreciation of the current value of the car |
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 |
| 4 wheeler cars with a seating capacity 6 or less person licensed to drive in one city or region | Rs. 2750 | Rs. 750 |
| 4 wheeler cars with a seating capacity 6 or less person licensed to drive all over the state | Rs. 5000 | Rs. 1350 |
| Passenger cars with a seating capacity between 7 and 12 individuals | Rs.6000 | Rs.1600 |
| 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
| 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.