If you're driving from Punjab or Chandigarh into Himachal Pradesh in 2026, there are two separate charges that often get confused: the state's vehicle entry tax, and the Rohtang Pass permit. They're different things, charged at different points, and the entry tax in particular has changed more than once this year.
Quick answer
After a proposed hike and a rollback, Himachal's passenger vehicle entry tax is currently fixed at ₹100 for both 5-seater cars and 6-12 seater vehicles - though one later source quotes ₹130 for the larger vehicle category, so confirm the exact figure at the barrier. A separate Rohtang Pass permit (roughly ₹550) is only needed if you're driving over Rohtang Pass itself - not if you're taking the Atal Tunnel route to Manali.
What happened with the Himachal entry tax in 2026?
In February 2026, Himachal Pradesh proposed a steep increase to its vehicle entry tax for vehicles entering the state from outside. This caused enough pushback that the state rolled the hike back on 31 March 2026. The tax hike controversy led to real public frustration during the proposal period - including a group of Nihang Sikhs reportedly collecting their own informal "toll" near Kiratpur Sahib in protest. That was never an official fee; it's worth mentioning only as context for how contentious this got, not as something you'd actually be charged.
After the rollback, the final rate was set at:
| Vehicle type | Entry tax |
|---|---|
| 5-seater car | ₹100 |
| 6-12 seater vehicle | ₹100 |
| HP-registered commercial light vehicles | Exempt |
That said, a separate source dated June 2026 gives a slightly different figure - ₹100 for cars but ₹130 for 6-12 seater vehicles. Given the rate has already moved more than once this year, treat both figures as a reasonable ballpark and confirm the actual amount being charged at the entry barrier or with your driver on the day you travel.
Do I need a Rohtang Pass permit?
This depends entirely on your route into Manali.
- Going via the Atal Tunnel - you do not need a Rohtang permit at all. The tunnel bypasses Rohtang Pass itself, so the permit requirement doesn't apply. There may be a separate small toll or slip charge, reported at around ₹50, though treat that figure as approximate.
- Going over Rohtang Pass itself - a permit is required, and this is where the fees and daily quotas below apply.
Most travellers heading straight to Manali today use the tunnel route and skip the permit question entirely. The permit only matters if you specifically want to go over the pass - for the views, for snow access, or as part of a longer loop.
What does a Rohtang permit cost and how do you get one?
These figures come from a travel-guide source rather than an official rate card, so check the official portal for current pricing before you rely on them:
- Roughly ₹550 per permit - a ₹500 base fee plus a ₹50 congestion charge.
- About 1,200 regular tourism permits plus 100 special permits are issued per day.
- No permits are issued on Tuesdays - plan around this if Rohtang Pass itself is on your itinerary.
- Permits are booked online through the official Himachal government portal, rohtangpermits.hp.gov.in, up to 6 days in advance.
- Vehicles over 10 years old are not allowed through - something to check before you commit to a specific car.
Given the daily cap, booking ahead matters more than people expect, especially in peak season when demand for the 1,200 daily slots can be high.
How Punjab Taxi Co handles this for you
We've been driving Punjab and Himachal routes as a family business out of Ludhiana since 1980, and permit and tax rules are exactly the kind of logistics we'd rather sort out for you than leave you to figure out at a barrier. When you book a Chandigarh-to-Manali or Chandigarh-to-Shimla trip with us, tell us your travel dates and whether Rohtang Pass itself is part of your plan - we'll tell you what currently applies, whether that's just the standard entry tax or also a Rohtang permit, and handle the booking logistics where we can.
FAQs
Is the Himachal entry tax the same as the Rohtang permit? No. The entry tax applies to any vehicle entering Himachal Pradesh from outside the state. The Rohtang permit is a separate, additional requirement only for vehicles crossing Rohtang Pass itself.
How much is the Himachal entry tax right now? ₹100 for a 5-seater car as of the March 2026 rollback. One other source quotes ₹130 for 6-12 seater vehicles, so confirm the current rate with your driver or at the barrier.
Do I need a Rohtang permit if I'm going to Manali via the Atal Tunnel? No - the tunnel bypasses Rohtang Pass, so the permit isn't required on that route. There may be a small separate toll, reported around ₹50.
Can I get a Rohtang permit on the day of travel? Permits are booked online up to 6 days in advance through rohtangpermits.hp.gov.in, and none are issued on Tuesdays at all - plan ahead rather than assuming same-day availability.
Are HP-registered vehicles exempt from the entry tax? HP-registered commercial light vehicles are exempt. Private out-of-state vehicles, including from Punjab, are subject to the entry tax.
Will my taxi driver handle the permit paperwork? Ask us when you book - tell us your dates and whether Rohtang Pass is on your route, and we'll let you know what applies and help with the logistics.
Heading to the hills? See our Chandigarh to Manali taxi and Chandigarh to Shimla taxi pages, or WhatsApp us at +91 99148 41000 for a fixed quote and current permit guidance.