Patna: The Bihar transport department is undertaking a wide-ranging review of vehicle registrations across the state, with over 4.5 lakh vehicles at risk of losing their registration status due to non-payment of road taxes. The move is part of a larger initiative to ensure better tax compliance and bring long-standing defaulters into the system. Departmental data shows that road tax remains unpaid on 4,51,000 vehicles statewide. Patna tops the list, with more than 1.25 lakh vehicles yet to clear their dues. Muzaffarpur is next, with nearly 69,000 such cases, while other districts are also reporting significant numbers.
According to transport officials, most of the defaulting vehicles belong to commercial operators who have not paid the required taxes over extended periods. The department has issued notices and may begin cancelling registrations if dues are not cleared soon. Outside Patna and Muzaffarpur, other districts with a high number of tax defaulters include Bhagalpur (22,143), Bhojpur (10,857), Saran (13,735), Begusarai (20,950), Rohtas (12,055), Vaishali (10,201), Gaya (12,722) and Purnia (33,740). In addition, several other districts have over 10,000 cases each of pending road tax.
Officials say this action is not aimed at penalising vehicle owners but encouraging them to fulfil their legal obligations. “The department is giving sufficient time to owners to pay their taxes. Our goal is to ensure transparency and accountability in the transport system,” said a senior transport official.
Vehicle owners are being advised to check their tax payment status through the official portal or at regional transport offices. Those who fail to pay the due amount in the stipulated time may face cancellation of their vehicle’s registration certificate, making it illegal to operate the vehicle on public roads. The department’s review comes amid efforts to improve revenue collection and update transport records across Bihar. It also aims to address the growing gap between registered vehicles and actual tax receipts. Transport authorities have assured that vehicle owners will have an opportunity to respond before any action is taken. The final decision on cancellation will be made only after due process.
