What To Do In Bangalore If You Have A Non KA (Karnataka) Registered Car? We Explain!

Bangalore is probably the biggest IT hub in India. The city is home to a lot of IT and service-based companies and therefore accommodates people from different places and states. This also means that Bengaluru is also home to the vehicles they bring, which will not always be 'KA registered'. For example, if you are from Kerala and have moved to Bengaluru for work, chances are high that the vehicle you end up using in the city has a 'KL' number plate. Bengaluru has been tolerant (and mostly accommodative) of these vehicles till recently. Later last month, however, the Karnataka Road Transport Department and police started seizing non-Karnataka-registered vehicles. Many may now wonder 'What should I do if I have a non-KA registered car in Bangalore?'. This article will answer just the same...

What To Do To Legally Drive A Non-KA Registered Car In Bengaluru?

Making a non-KA registered car legal in Bengaluru isn't that difficult or complicated. If you are someone who lives in the city or uses the vehicle there for an extended span of time (say for months or a year), the best way is to pay the road tax for a year.

Sources say that this amount will not be huge as it is valid for just a year. It could be around Rs 4000 for small cars and SUVs. However, to get more accurate information on the sum and payment process, get in touch with the nearest RTO in Bengaluru. You can also visit the Karnataka Transport Website for more details.

If you are someone who visits Bengaluru often and doesn't stay in the city for long, staying out of trouble is easier. Do not trash or throw away the toll receipts or petrol bills. You can produce these before the officials or policemen to prove that you're just a visitor and do not stay in the city.

As per rules, owners of vehicles from other states have to inform the Karnataka RTO and obtain a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for operating these in the city. If an NOC is issued, the vehicle can be used without any legal trouble. However, even with an NOC, if the vehicle is being used for more than 11 months, the road tax has to be paid.

What's Going On? Why Are Non-KA Vehicles Being Seized?

The Central Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 allows vehicles registered in one state to stay in another for up to 11 months. If they are to be used used for longer spans of time, these will have to be re-registered in the state in which they are used. The Karnataka Motor Vehicles Taxation (Amendment) Act, 2014, however, states that non-Karnataka vehicles can only stay in the state for a maximum of 30 days (1 month). Beyond this period, they can be fined. There is definitely a discrepancy here.

Vehicle inspections have heightened in recent times. The Road Transport Department and police have lately been stopping and checking all non-KA registered vehicles for compliance. Fines for non-compliance could vary. Authorities usually demand an immediate payment of road tax.

If the vehicle owner fails to pay the road tax in fine, the officials may seize the vehicle in question. The authorities are also reported to be checking for previous fines on non-KA vehicles.

According to reports, fines are being imposed on vehicles from neighbouring states as well. Only TN-70 (vehicles registered in Hosur) and AP-39 ( vehicles registered in Gajuwaka) are exempted. Hosur and Gajuwaka share borders with states like Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh respectively.