Road Tax Refund Calculator
Estimate the unused portion of your road tax when moving to another state. Then prepare your documents and follow the refund process.
Vehicle & Tax Parameters
Statutory claimable road tax (80% of initial lifetime payment)
Statutory 15-Year Pro-Rata Formula
Under the Central Motor Vehicles Rules (CMVR) and State Motor Vehicles Taxation Acts, lifetime private vehicle road tax covers a statutory lifespan of 15 years (180 calendar months). On inter-state migration, the original registering authority refunds the pro-rata unutilized fraction upon verification of tax payment in the new state.
Form DT Enclosure Checklist
- Form DT (Application for Road Tax Refund) *MandatoryDuly filled and signed by the registered vehicle owner, detailing original registration and bank account.
- Form 28 (NOC Copy from Source RTO) *MandatoryCertified copy of the No Objection Certificate issued in triplicate by the parent registering authority.
- New State Registration Certificate (RC) *MandatorySelf-attested copy of the new Smart Card RC or Parivahan digital RC bearing the destination state registration number.
- Destination State Road Tax Receipt *MandatoryOfficial receipt or challan proving payment of road tax at the new registering authority.
- Original Lifetime Road Tax Receipt / B-Extract *MandatoryOriginal tax token, payment receipt, or B-Register extract from the parent RTO showing initial tax paid.
- Valid Vehicle Insurance Policy *MandatoryComprehensive or third-party insurance certificate covering the vehicle.
- Valid Pollution Under Control (PUC) CertificateCurrent emission test certificate with valid expiry date.
- Owner ID & Address Proof *MandatoryAadhaar Card, Voter ID, or Passport of the registered owner matching the RC name.
- Cancelled Cheque / Attested Bank Passbook *MandatoryCheque leaf with printed account holder name and IFSC code for direct electronic bank refund (PFMS/RTGS).
- Chassis Pencil Print on Form 28 / Plain PaperPhysical pencil tracing of the chassis VIN number verified during NOC inspection.
4-Step Statutory Inter-State Vehicle Relocation & Refund Process
Follow this statutory sequence under Section 47 of the Motor Vehicles Act 1988 to prevent double-taxation and secure your refund.
Obtain NOC from Source RTO
Apply for No Objection Certificate (NOC) using Form 28 in triplicate at Karnataka RTO. Ensure all outstanding traffic challans are cleared and any active bank hypothecation is either closed or backed by a bank NOC (Form 35).
Form 28 (Triplicate)Pay Tax & Re-Register in New State
Within 12 months of relocation, submit Form 27 (Assignment of New Registration Mark) and Form 20 to Maharashtra RTO. Pay the applicable lifetime road tax in the destination state and receive your new state registration mark.
Form 27 & Tax ChallanSubmit Form DT to Parent RTO
Submit the Form DT Application for Refund to the original Karnataka RTO where initial tax was paid. Attach certified copies of the new RC, new state road tax receipt, Form 28 NOC, original tax token, and a cancelled cheque.
Form DT & ReceiptsCross-RTO Verification & Credit
The parent RTO sends an inter-state verification request (CRTI confirmation) to Maharashtra RTO. Upon confirming genuine re-registration, the treasury disburses your pro-rata refund directly via PFMS/RTGS into your bank account (typically 60 to 120 days).
PFMS Direct CreditUnderstanding Vehicle Relocation & Tax Refund Under Indian Law
Section 47 of Motor Vehicles Act 1988
Mandates that when a motor vehicle registered in one state is kept in another state for a period exceeding 12 months, the owner must apply to the new registering authority for assignment of a new registration mark.
State Motor Vehicles Taxation Acts
Because road tax is an exclusive state subject under Entry 57, List II of the Seventh Schedule, road tax paid in State A cannot be transferred directly to State B. You pay new tax in State B and claim a pro-rata refund from State A via Form DT.
180-Month Lifecycle Standard
Private car and bike lifetime road taxes are calculated across 15 years. Every month the vehicle remains in the original state depreciates 1/180th of the initial tax. The remaining balance represents the legal pro-rata refund claim.
Moving Your Vehicle? Keep These Documents Ready
Before applying for an NOC at your source RTO, ensure your vehicle has no outstanding traffic fines, a valid insurance policy, and active FASTag details.
Road tax refund & inter-state transfer FAQ.
Everything you need to know about claiming your statutory road tax refund under Indian motor vehicle regulations.
What is the statutory formula for road tax refund on inter-state transfer?
Under the Central Motor Vehicles Rules (CMVR) and State Motor Vehicles Taxation Acts, lifetime private vehicle road tax is calculated across a statutory lifespan of 15 years (180 months). The pro-rata refund formula is: Refund = Original Lifetime Tax Paid × ((180 - Months Completed) / 180). The claimable amount equals the unexpired months of the 15-year lifecycle from initial registration.
Can I claim a road tax refund before re-registering in the destination state?
No. The parent RTO (source state) only processes a road tax refund after verifying that the vehicle has been re-registered and new road tax has been deposited in the destination state. The road tax receipt issued by the new registering authority and the new RC copy are mandatory enclosures for Form DT.
What is Form DT and where do I submit it?
Form DT is the statutory application for refund of motor vehicle road tax. It must be addressed and submitted to the original registering authority (source RTO) where the lifetime tax was originally deposited, along with Form 28 (NOC), proof of tax payment in the new state, new RC copy, original tax token, and a cancelled cheque.
Why is a 15-year (180 months) lifespan used to calculate the refund?
In India, private non-commercial vehicles are granted an initial Registration Certificate (RC) valid for 15 years under Section 41(7) of the Motor Vehicles Act 1988. State governments levy one-time Lifetime Road Tax (LTT) for this 15-year tenure. Consequently, statutory depreciation and unexpired tenure refunds are calculated across 180 calendar months.
How long do I have to apply for a tax refund after obtaining an NOC?
Section 47 of the Motor Vehicles Act provides a 12-month grace period to re-register a vehicle in a new state. State taxation acts typically mandate submitting Form DT within 6 to 12 months of obtaining the new registration in the destination state. Delaying your claim past state limitation periods can lead to rejection or penalty deductions.
How long does it take for the RTO to credit the road tax refund?
The inter-state road tax refund process typically takes between 60 to 120 days. Once Form DT is filed, the parent RTO issues an inter-state verification communication (CRTI confirmation) to the new state RTO. After cross-verification confirms genuine tax remittance, the state treasury disburses the refund directly to the owner's bank account via PFMS/RTGS.
Do BH Series (Bharat Series) registered vehicles require a road tax refund?
No. Bharat Series (BH) registered vehicles do not pay 15-year lump-sum lifetime road tax. Under MoRTH notification G.S.R. 594(E), BH series plates pay tax in 2-year installments online. When moving across states, BH vehicles do not require an NOC, re-registration, or inter-state road tax refund claims.
Can I apply for the Form DT road tax refund online via Parivahan?
Select state transport departments (such as Delhi, Karnataka, and Maharashtra) allow initiating the tax refund request through the Parivahan Citizen Services Portal (parivahan.gov.in). However, most state RTOs still require physical submission or speed-post dispatch of the original tax token, chassis pencil print, and certified receipts for final treasury audit.