- NOC from your current RTO (Form 28; needs loan hypothecation cleared or lender consent). Nominal fee.
- Move, then pay the destination state's road tax— don't wait for the 12-month limit; several states expect tax within weeks of the vehicle entering.
- Re-register at the destination RTO (Form 20 + NOC + address proof + insurance updated to the new address). New number plates (HSRP) issued.
- File for the old state's refund with proof of re-registration. Pro-rata on unexpired years; expect months, follow up in writing.
Interstate Car Transfer Cost Calculator
Every guide online says moving your car to another state costs "₹3,000–10,000" — which is only the paperwork. The real number is the new state's road tax on your car's depreciated value, minus the refund your old state owes you. This computes all three.
Enter your car's original invoice price and the estimate appears here.
The process, in order
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to re-register my car when moving to another state?
Yes, if the car stays in the new state beyond 12 months (Motor Vehicles Act). Practically, you also need the new state's road tax paid well before that — several states demand tax within weeks of entry, and driving long-term on an out-of-state plate invites fines. The sequence: NOC from your current RTO, then tax payment and re-registration at the destination RTO.
How is road tax calculated when re-registering in a new state?
The new state applies its own lifetime-tax percentage to your car's depreciated value — typically via an age schedule (roughly 93% of the new-car tax for a car under 2 years, sliding to under half by year 10). Each state's exact table differs, which is why our result is a labelled estimate; the destination RTO's figure is final.
Can I get back the road tax I paid in my old state?
Yes — most states refund the unexpired portion of the lifetime tax (commonly pro-rata on a 15-year basis) once you deregister and show proof of re-registration elsewhere. File with the original RTO with your CRTI/new RC. Be warned: refunds routinely take months and require follow-up, so treat it as money that comes back later, not budget for the move.
Is there any way to avoid paying road tax twice?
You can't legally avoid the destination state's tax if the car lives there — but the refund mechanism means you're not truly paying twice, just fronting the new tax while the old one is returned. If your stay is genuinely temporary (under 12 months), you can keep the original registration and skip the process entirely.