How long can I drive an other-state (DL/HR/MH) car in Hyderabad without paying tax?

You can legally drive an other-state vehicle in Telangana for up to 12 months without paying local road tax. After one year, re-registration and payment of TS Life Tax is mandatory.

Is there a penalty for driving without paying TS Life Tax after 12 months?

Yes. Penalties can start from ₹500, escalate up to double the payable tax, and may include vehicle detention during enforcement drives.

Can I pay the Telangana Life Tax online?

Yes. Life tax can be paid via the Parivahan or TGCFSTONLINE portals, but physical vehicle inspection at the RTA is mandatory for re-registration.

How is TS Life Tax calculated for other-state vehicles?

TS Life Tax is calculated using the original ex-showroom invoice value, applicable tax slab, and age-based depreciation factor.

Do I need to pay full life tax or prorated tax in Telangana?

Telangana follows a prorated life tax system where older vehicles pay reduced tax based on age.

Is there extra tax if I already own a car in Telangana?

Yes. If a four-wheeler is already registered in your name in Telangana, an additional 2 percent life tax surcharge applies for the next vehicle.

Can I get a refund from my original RTO after paying TS Life Tax?

Yes. After TS re-registration, you can apply for a pro-rata refund from your original RTO using Form 16, the TS tax receipt, and the new RC.

Are Electric Vehicles exempt from TS Life Tax in 2026?

Yes. Telangana offers a 100 percent exemption on road tax and registration fees for Electric Vehicles until 31 December 2026.

Can I re-register a car that is still under bank loan?

Yes. A bank NOC or Form 35 is required before paying TS Life Tax and completing re-registration.

Can company-registered vehicles be re-registered in Telangana?

Yes. Company vehicles follow the same tax rules but require additional company authorization documents.

Can police seize my other-state vehicle in Hyderabad?

Yes. Repeated violations or unpaid life tax beyond the allowed period can result in vehicle detention or seizure.

NCR Car Migration Survival Guide (2026 Hyderabad Edition)

Warning: Driving a DL/HR registered car in Hyderabad? The 2026 RTO rules have changed. Here's your legal and financial survival plan.

1. The Reality Check: Increased Fines & Crackdowns in 2026

Did you bring a Delhi (DL) or Haryana (HR) vehicle to Hyderabad? 2025 saw a major hike in life taxes and increased RTO crackdowns at Financial District and Gachibowli. If your car has been in Telangana for over 12 months, you are legally required to re-register or pay life tax. Failure to do so can result in vehicle seizure and massive penalties.

⚠️ Green Tax Alert: As per the latest Telangana RTO rules, vehicles older than 15 years must pay an additional ₹5,000 as Green Tax every 5 years during the fitness renewal process.

2. Your 2026 Financial Impact: The Smart Calculator

Use the tool below to estimate your total payable tax instantly. The rates include the 2% hike from August 2025 and the mandatory Road Safety Tax introduced in January 2026.

TS RTO Tax Estimator (Feb 2026)

Original Ex-Showroom Price (INR) Vehicle Age (Approximate)

Result will appear here

*Includes Life Tax (based on 2026 hiked slabs) + ₹5,000 Road Safety Tax (Mandatory as per TMVT Bill 2026).

Note: This estimate is based on the TMVT (Amendment) Bill 2026. Final amount may vary slightly at the RTO.

3. Official 2026 Life Tax Slabs (Telangana RTO)

The table below, based on the TMVT (Amendment) Bill 2026, shows the hiked rates. Tax is calculated on the original ex-showroom price, depreciated by vehicle age.

Vehicle Age (from registration month)	Below ₹5 Lakh	₹5L – ₹10 Lakh	₹10L – ₹20 Lakh	Above ₹20 Lakh
New Vehicle	13%	14%	17%	18%
Less than 2 Years	12%	13%	16%	17%
2 to 3 Years	11.5%	12.5%	15.5%	16.5%
3 to 4 Years	11%	12%	15%	16%
4 to 5 Years	10.5%	11.5%	14.5%	15.5%
5 to 6 Years	10%	11%	14%	15%
6 to 7 Years	9.5%	10.5%	13.5%	14.5%
7 to 8 Years	9%	10%	13%	14%

+ Mandatory Road Safety Tax (2026): ₹5,000 for Light Motor Vehicles (LMVs).

4. The 5-Step RTO Process: NOC to TS Plates

Obtain NOC from Origin State RTO (e.g., Delhi): Clear all pending challans and taxes.
Pay Telangana Life Tax: Use the calculator above to estimate. Pay at the Hyderabad RTO or online.
Vehicle Inspection & Document Verification: At the Telangana RTO.
Pay Road Safety Tax & Fees: The mandatory ₹5,000 + other charges.
Receive New TS Registration Certificate & Plates: Surrender old plates, get new TS ones.

Grace Period: You have 12 months from the date of entering Telangana to complete this process without penalty.

5. Your Hassle-Free Solution Partners

TS RTO Life Tax: Frequently Asked Questions (2026)

Complete guide to DL/HR car re-registration in Hyderabad. 20+ questions answered by RTO experts.

You can legally drive an other-state vehicle in Telangana for up to 12 months without paying Telangana road tax. After completing one year, re-registration and payment of TS Life Tax becomes mandatory.

From January 2026, Telangana levies a one-time Road Safety Tax of ₹5,000 for cars and ₹2,000 for two-wheelers, applicable during new registration or re-assignment.

Yes. Penalties include fines starting from ₹500, escalation up to double the payable tax, and possible vehicle detention, especially during enforcement drives.

Yes. Life tax can be paid through the Parivahan or TGCFSTONLINE portals. However, physical inspection at the RTA is compulsory for full TS re-registration.

Life tax is calculated on the original ex-showroom invoice value, multiplied by the applicable Telangana tax slab and reduced using age-based depreciation factors.

Telangana follows a prorated tax model based on vehicle age. Older vehicles pay reduced life tax compared to new vehicles.

Yes. If a four-wheeler is already registered in your name in Telangana, an additional 2% life tax surcharge applies to the next car.

Yes. After TS re-registration, you can apply for a pro-rata refund from your original state RTO using Form 16, TS tax receipt, and the new RC.

Yes. Telangana provides a 100% exemption on road tax and registration fees for EVs until 31 December 2026.

Yes. A No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the original RTO is mandatory for permanent re-registration in Telangana.

Yes. You must obtain a bank NOC or Form 35 before paying TS Life Tax and proceeding with re-registration.

Yes. Physical vehicle inspection at the local RTA is mandatory, even if tax payment is done online.

Yes. Other-state two-wheelers must also pay TS life tax and complete re-registration, though the tax amount is lower than cars.

Yes. Company vehicles follow the same tax rules but require company authorization letters and additional documents.

Ignoring notices can result in the vehicle being blacklisted on Parivahan, affecting resale, insurance claims, and future transfers.

Yes. In cases of repeated violations or unpaid tax beyond the allowed period, authorities may detain or seize the vehicle.

Such documents may help establish duration of stay but do not exempt you from life tax liability.

Yes. You can apply for a refund from Telangana RTA after re-registering the vehicle in another state.

Vehicles older than 15 years may require a fitness certificate and face additional scrutiny before approval.

No. As of 2026, there is no legal exemption from TS Life Tax for non-electric private vehicles.

📞 Still Have Questions About Your Specific Case?

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Last Updated: February 2026 | Authority Source: TMVT (Amendment) Bill 2026, Telangana RTO Official Notifications

This FAQ is based on official Telangana Government notifications. Always verify with local RTO for specific cases.

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