1 hr ago
Maharashtra Plans Drive on Long-Term Out-of-State Vehicles
Maharashtra is checking cars and other vehicles that are registered in another state but have been used in Maharashtra for a long time.
A special check will run from October 5 to 17, 2026.
Officials will look at vehicle papers and other evidence to learn how long each vehicle has been in the state.
The rules generally allow a vehicle from another state to be used for up to 12 months before its owner must apply for registration in the new state and pay the required tax.
Some vehicles that do not follow the rules could be detained, re-registered or subject to tax collection.
Separately, officials are checking 5,664 high-value vehicles sold in Maharashtra but registered elsewhere.
They have not concluded that those registrations were illegal or that owners avoided tax deliberately.
An expert says the checks should treat people who moved for work or study differently from people who intentionally avoid tax.
Maharashtra will conduct a special verification drive from October 5 to 17, 2026, targeting private vehicles registered elsewhere and used in the state for more than a year.
RTO teams will check registration documents and evidence of how long vehicles have been operating in Maharashtra; violations may lead to detention, re-registration and tax recovery.
The department is separately examining 5,664 vehicles worth more than Rs 50 lakh each that were sold by Maharashtra dealers in 2025-26 but registered outside the state.
Officials estimate Maharashtra could have collected Rs 2,500 crore to Rs 3,000 crore if those vehicles had been registered in the state, but the actual revenue impact awaits verification.
Transport expert MD Faizal urged officials to distinguish deliberate tax avoidance from people who bring vehicles when moving to Maharashtra for work or study.
- Who
- Maharashtra Transport Department, RTOs and owners of vehicles registered outside the state.
- What
- A special drive to verify vehicle usage periods, registration formalities and tax compliance; officials are also examining 5,664 high-value vehicles sold in Maharashtra and registered elsewhere.
- Where
- Maharashtra, including metropolitan areas, industrial zones, commercial and residential complexes, and large parking facilities.
- When
- The special drive is scheduled for October 5–17, 2026.
- Why
- The department is checking compliance with the 12-month use limit and concerns that some vehicles may be registered outside Maharashtra to avoid the state's higher motor vehicle tax.
Enforcement and tax compliance
Fair treatment of vehicle owners
Checking out-of-state registrations
Enforcement and tax compliance
The department says it will verify whether vehicles have exceeded the permitted use period and whether registration arrangements are being used to avoid Maharashtra motor vehicle tax.
Fair treatment of vehicle owners
Transport expert MD Faizal says enforcement should focus on cases supported by evidence of deliberate tax avoidance, not automatically penalize people who move to Maharashtra for work or study.
High-value vehicles
Enforcement and tax compliance
Officials are investigating 5,664 high-value vehicles registered outside Maharashtra and estimating the potential tax impact.
Fair treatment of vehicle owners
The department has not concluded that the vehicles were illegally registered or that their owners intentionally evaded tax; the revenue impact depends on verification.
Key facts
- Drive dates
- October 5–17, 2026
- General inter-state use limit
- Up to 12 months before re-registration and applicable tax are required if the vehicle is to remain in the new state.
- Separate vehicle review
- 5,664 vehicles sold by Maharashtra dealers in 2025-26 and subsequently registered outside the state.
- Vehicle values
- Each vehicle is valued above Rs 50 lakh; the reported range is Rs 50 lakh to Rs 3 crore.
- Estimated potential Maharashtra revenue
- Rs 2,500 crore to Rs 3,000 crore, subject to verification.
- Possible enforcement
- Detention, re-registration and recovery of motor vehicle tax for vehicles found to have breached requirements.
- Registration notification rule
- Maharashtra Motor Vehicle Rules require information to be submitted to the registration authority within seven days of bringing a vehicle into the state.
Quotes
MD Faizal
Transport expert
“If a person has shifted to Maharashtra for work or studies, keeping the vehicle in the home state may serve little purpose.”
freepressjournal.in
Sources
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