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State rules · KA · Last checked 12 Nov 2026

Karnataka: road tax and permits for trucks

Karnataka's goods traffic centres on Bengaluru distribution, the Hosur and Tumakuru industrial corridors, the Mangaluru port road and the Hubballi to Belagavi stretch toward Maharashtra and Goa. Road tax is charged under the Karnataka Motor Vehicles Taxation Act, 1957.

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At a glance

Karnataka for fleet owners

Goods vehicles pay tax under the Karnataka Motor Vehicles Taxation Act, 1957. The schedule charges some lighter goods vehicles at registration and heavier ones periodically by laden weight.

This page describes how the tax is structured. It does not quote rates, because they change with each budget and notification. The current schedule is published by the state; the sources are listed below.

RTO code
KA
Region
South
Road tax charged under
Karnataka Motor Vehicles Taxation Act, 1957
Transport portal
transport.karnataka.gov.in
Last checked
12 Nov 2026

The rules

Tax, permits, testing and the practical side

Road tax for goods vehicles

  • Goods vehicles pay tax under the Karnataka Motor Vehicles Taxation Act, 1957. The schedule charges some lighter goods vehicles at registration and heavier ones periodically by laden weight.
  • Karnataka revises vehicle tax through the annual budget and follow-up notifications. Check the schedule in force on the day you pay.
  • The Transport Department publishes Acts, rules and notifications on transport.karnataka.gov.in. Tax for KA vehicles is paid through Parivahan vehicle services.

Fitness testing

  • MoRTH is moving fitness testing of transport vehicles to registered automated testing stations (ATS) in phases, and the deadlines have been extended before. Before booking, check whether an ATS has been registered for your RTO area or whether the RTO's motor vehicle inspector still conducts the test.
  • Check transport.karnataka.gov.in for the current list of automated testing stations and the RTOs they serve before you book.

Fitness due date calculator

Permits

  • Home-state goods carriage permits are issued by the Regional Transport Authority.
  • A national permit is issued by the home-state transport authority. The national permit authorisation that lets the truck run across India is paid online on the Parivahan national permit service, and its annual renewal date is separate from the permit's own validity. Track both dates.
  • Bengaluru city has its own time restrictions on heavy goods vehicles entering the core area. They are enforced by traffic police and are separate from the permit.

Practical notes for fleets

  • KA codes are tied to the RTO: KA 01 is Bengaluru (Koramangala), KA 25 is Dharwad, KA 19 is Mangaluru. Bengaluru alone has many RTOs.
  • Bengaluru traffic police issue challans through cameras and handheld devices. Trucks on city distribution runs collect them quickly, so check daily.
  • Trucks crossing into Tamil Nadu at Hosur and into Maharashtra at Belagavi need the permit position clear for both states.

Where it is published

Where to read the current Karnataka notification

If a notification is dated after 12 Nov 2026, the notification wins over this page.

Sources for Karnataka goods vehicle rules
What you needWhere to find it
Road tax schedule and late-payment penaltyKarnataka Motor Vehicles Taxation Act, 1957, and the department's notifications on transport.karnataka.gov.in
Paying road tax onlineVehicle services for Karnataka on parivahan.gov.in
National permit authorisationParivahan national permit service, paid annually online
Automated testing stations for fitnessDepartment notices on transport.karnataka.gov.in, and the RTO for your area
E-challans against your trucksParivahan e-Challan, searched by vehicle number

Other states

Questions about Karnataka

Ask the team

Where do I find the current goods vehicle tax rates for Karnataka?

Road tax in Karnataka is charged under the Karnataka Motor Vehicles Taxation Act, 1957. The current schedule is published by the state transport department; start at transport.karnataka.gov.in. Rates change with the state budget and notifications, so read the version in force on the day you pay.

Does a KA-registered national permit truck pay tax in other states?

It pays road tax to Karnataka as its home state, and an annual national permit authorisation fee online through Parivahan. The authorisation lets it run across India. Track the tax date and the authorisation date separately.

Where is fitness tested in Karnataka?

MoRTH is moving fitness testing of transport vehicles to registered automated testing stations in phases, and deadlines have been extended before. Check the department's notices for the stations that serve your RTO, or ask the RTO whether it still inspects your vehicle class.

What is the penalty if the tax lapses?

Karnataka sets its own grace period and penalty for late payment under the Karnataka Motor Vehicles Taxation Act, 1957. The penalty is charged on top of the tax, so the paid-up date on VAHAN is the one to watch.

Every KA truck's dates, without typing one.

PRACHSO reads tax, permit, authorisation, fitness, insurance and PUC dates from VAHAN for every truck, whichever state it is registered in, and reminds the right person on WhatsApp 30 days ahead.

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