Kerala Road Tax – Complete Guide on Rates & Payment

Key Takeaways
 

• Kerala road tax is applied to all motor vehicles, varying by type, weight, and seating capacity.
   
• Online platforms like Parivahan road tax and Kerala road tax online payment make compliance simple.
   
• Delayed payments attract fines, so a timely online road tax check is crucial for hassle-free scooty rides.
   

Bonus Tip: Kerala MVD has launched a Virtual PRO QR‑based service card that lets vehicle owners instantly access MVD services. It includes MVD services like online payment links for taxes and fines by scanning a QR code. It makes Kerala road tax online payment even easier.

Neha, a nurse in Trivandrum, dreamed of zipping around in a shiny new scooty after long night shifts. While sipping her coffee, she wondered about Kerala road taxes.

Road tax is like a “health check-up” for vehicles. It is mandatory, and it keeps everything legal and ensures smooth roads. Just as Neha monitors patients’ vitals, vehicle owners monitor tax schedules. It’s a fixed charge depending on vehicle type and cost.

Neha said, “I purchased my favorite 125cc scooty, priced at Rs. 75,000. It attracted a one-time tax based on the engine capacity and price. I paid the Kerala road tax to ride legally without worrying about fines.”

Road Tax Rates in Kerala

Kerala road tax rates are defined under the Kerala Motor Vehicles Taxation Act, 1976, and updated as of April 2025.
 

Neha realised her scooty falls under motorcycles, so she’ll pay Rs. 68 quarterly. She used the Kerala road tax calculator online to confirm the exact tax.

Kerala’s Motor Vehicles Taxation Act prescribes one‑time tax rates for key vehicle categories. It is based on purchase value or defined slabs, ensuring owners pay road tax upfront instead of quarterly. The Kerala road tax percentage that you need to pay can be classified by:
 

For Kerala Road Tax one‑time payment, owners can plan and pay tax upfront based on purchase value, simplifying future compliance and avoiding quarterly remittances.

How to Pay Road Tax in Kerala Online?

Neha logged onto the official portal for Kerala road tax online payment. The steps for Kerala road tax online payment are simple:

• Visit Kerala MVD Online Services
• Select “Online Road Tax Payment”
• Enter Vehicle Registration and Owner Details
• Confirm Tax Amount via Kerala road tax calculator
• Pay via net banking, credit, or UPI

Within minutes, she received a digital receipt. She also noted that online road tax check help track pending payments. Neha sang “All is well” while confirming her scooty was road-ready.

How to Pay Road Tax in Kerala if the vehicle is from another state?

If a vehicle from another state is brought to Kerala, the owner must obtain an NOC from the original RTO. Neha’s cousin from Delhi moved his two-wheeler, following:

• Apply for NOC from the other state RTO
• Submit NOC and vehicle documents at Kerala RTO
• Calculate Kerala road tax using official Kerala road tax calculator
• Make Kerala road tax online payment

This ensures compliance and avoids penalties. Neha joked, “Even Delhi’s scooty can get a Kerala tan!”

Penalty and Fines for Late Road Tax Payment in Kerala

Kerala road tax penalties can surprise even seasoned drivers. Neha discovered a fine structure while researching for her scooty:
 

If Neha delayed her scooter’s tax, she’d risk hefty fines. Additionally, repeated non-payment may result in seizure of registration or vehicle immobilization. Online road tax check minimizes surprises by alerting owners to due payments.

Conclusion

Neha finally purchased her scooty and ensured all taxes were paid. Timely use of Parivahan road tax, online road tax check, and Kerala road tax online payment made the process smooth. Kerala also allows for part-payment of Kerala road tax in certain cases, especially for new vehicles with delayed registration. Payment modes include net banking, debit/credit cards, UPI, or visiting the RTO. 

Timely compliance keeps Neha’s scooty scooting past Kovalam Beach without “khaki” interruptions. Always remember: even a ₹68 delay can snowball into fines, so early payment is smart and stress-free. Lesson? Even nurses need a scooty-friendly tax plan!

FAQs on Road Tax in Kerala

Can I pay Kerala road tax for 2 years in advance?
Yes. Kerala allows advance tax payment for multiple years using the Kerala road tax online payment.

Is road tax refundable if I sell my vehicle?
A partial refund applies if the vehicle is sold within a year. Submit Form 28 to the RTO.

How do I check my road tax online?
Use the Parivahan portal for online road tax check with vehicle details.

Are electric scooters exempt from road tax?
Yes, Kerala exempts certain EVs. Confirm eligibility on the Kerala MVD site.

Can a non-Kerala vehicle pay Kerala road tax online?
Yes, after submitting the NOC from the original state, and using the Kerala road tax calculator online.

How much road tax do you typically pay when registering a new car or bike in Kerala?
In Kerala, road tax for private vehicles is a one-time payment at registration and varies by vehicle cost. For example, two-wheelers can be taxed at around 10-21% of the purchase value, and private cars can be taxed roughly 9-21% of the ex-showroom price, depending on their price bracket. If you’re registering a used/out-of-state vehicle or an electric vehicle, the exact rate may differ. You usually calculate it using the Kerala MVD/Parivahan portal with your ex-showroom price and age.

Is Kerala’s road tax really higher compared to some other states?
Yes, a few riders have said that Kerala’s on-road price and taxes “feel higher” compared with places like Karnataka or Sikkim, but discussions often include friendly banter about road quality and state differences.

If I rent a Zoomcar in Karnataka and drive to Kerala, do I need to pay road/state entry tax?
Yes, when travelling interstate in a rental self-drive vehicle, you’ll typically pay the applicable state entry/road tax or permit charges as required at the border or by the local RTO during your trip. 
 

If I’m operating a 16-seater tempo traveller from Karnataka to Kerala, how much road/state tax might I pay?
You’ll usually pay state-entry/permit taxes for commercial vehicles like a tempo traveller when crossing into Kerala (often a few thousand rupees for the trip, depending on duration and state rules), and reputable operators typically handle these charges so your journey stays smooth and compliant.