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Rajasthan HC Declares Collection of Road Tax from Out-of-State Private Cars Illegal
✍️ Amar Ujala · Rajasthan
🗓 05 Nov 2026, 08:15 AM
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The Rajasthan High Court has ruled that the transport department’s move to levy road tax on privately‑owned vehicles registered outside the state and to seize them for non‑payment is unlawful, citing the absence of a statutory notification.
In a recent judgment, the Rajasthan High Court struck down the transport department’s directive to collect road tax from private cars registered in other states and to confiscate those vehicles for non‑payment. The bench held that the department acted beyond its legal authority because the requisite statutory notification was never issued.
The transport department had earlier announced that owners of out‑of‑state private vehicles would be required to pay Rajasthan’s road tax and that failure to do so would result in seizure of the vehicle. The court observed that tax collection must be backed by a formal notification under the Motor Vehicles Act, which was missing in this case.
By declaring the action illegal, the court has effectively halted any ongoing seizures and ordered the department to cease further tax demands on such vehicles until proper procedural steps are taken. Legal experts note that the ruling underscores the importance of adhering to statutory processes before imposing fiscal obligations.
The decision may have wider implications for other states that have adopted similar measures, prompting a review of their notification procedures to avoid legal challenges.
The transport department had earlier announced that owners of out‑of‑state private vehicles would be required to pay Rajasthan’s road tax and that failure to do so would result in seizure of the vehicle. The court observed that tax collection must be backed by a formal notification under the Motor Vehicles Act, which was missing in this case.
By declaring the action illegal, the court has effectively halted any ongoing seizures and ordered the department to cease further tax demands on such vehicles until proper procedural steps are taken. Legal experts note that the ruling underscores the importance of adhering to statutory processes before imposing fiscal obligations.
The decision may have wider implications for other states that have adopted similar measures, prompting a review of their notification procedures to avoid legal challenges.