Motor Vehicle Tax (PKB) must be paid on time. If payment is overdue, the vehicle may enter an expired tax status, meaning the vehicle’s administrative status becomes inactive and the car is not allowed to be used on public roads. This condition can cause various problems, ranging from fines to STNK (Vehicle Registration Certificate) blocking, and can even complicate the process of selling the vehicle.
To better understand the risks of expired vehicle tax and how to check vehicle tax status, see the explanation below.
What Happens If Your Vehicle Tax Expires?
When a vehicle enters expired tax status, the consequences go beyond administrative issues. Several impacts may occur, ranging from fines to long-term effects on vehicle ownership. Here are the details:
1. Fines
Both motorcycle and car tax late-payment fines result in additional costs if the tax is paid late. For example, if the delay is more than 2 days but less than 1 month, the fine can reach 25% of the tax amount.
For longer delays, in addition to fines, there are extra charges in the form of SWDKLLJ (Mandatory Road Traffic Accident Fund Contribution), which is a compulsory contribution for road traffic accident insurance. Therefore, paying vehicle tax on time is very important to avoid additional financial burdens.
Vehicle Tax Fine Calculation Based on Delay Period
Delay Duration
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1 day: No fine
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2 days – 1 month: 25% × PKB
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2 months: (25% × 2/12 × PKB) + SWDKLLJ
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3 months: (25% × 3/12 × PKB) + SWDKLLJ
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6 months: (25% × 6/12 × PKB) + SWDKLLJ
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1 year: (25% × 12/12 × PKB) + SWDKLLJ
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2 years: (2 × 25% × 12/12 × PKB) + SWDKLLJ
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3 years: (3 × 25% × 12/12 × PKB) + SWDKLLJ
2. Risk of Detention or Legal Sanctions
Vehicle owners are required to pay taxes annually and ensure their STNK is validated. This is regulated in Article 70 Paragraph 2, which states that the STNK and vehicle license plate are valid for 5 years and must be validated every year.
If STNK tax has not been paid, the validation section will not be stamped. In addition, Law No. 22 of 2009 Article 288 Paragraph 1 regulates the use of invalid STNK and its sanctions, which may include detention for up to 2 months or a fine of up to IDR 500,000.
3. Vehicle Registration Number Deletion
If the vehicle owner does not re-register and pay the tax, the vehicle registration number may be deleted. If re-registration is not carried out for 2 years since the last validity period, the vehicle is considered unregistered. This is regulated under Law No. 22 of 2009 Article 74 Paragraph 2.
4. Decrease in Vehicle Resale Value
An expired STNK due to unpaid taxes can reduce the resale value of a vehicle, especially used cars, because the tax value changes based on the NJKB (Motor Vehicle Sale Value). Incomplete documents can further reduce the price, and used vehicles are still subject to transfer fees.
Vehicles that do not pay tax for two consecutive years are considered illegal to operate. While an expired STNK does not immediately result in confiscation, the vehicle cannot be used on public roads and its tax cannot be extended, making buyers hesitant due to accumulated tax obligations and document processing.
How to Check Vehicle Tax
Before paying vehicle tax, it is important to know the amount due. Here are some easy ways to check vehicle tax:
1. Check Vehicle Tax via the SIGNAL App
You can easily check and pay motorcycle tax using the SIGNAL application by following these steps:
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Download the SIGNAL app on your smartphone
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Register by entering personal data and verifying your ID and photo
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After verification, the system will generate a payment code
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Open the JakOne Mobile app and make the payment using the code
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Download the E-TBPKP, E-Validation, and E-KD directly from the SIGNAL app
2. Check Vehicle Tax Directly at the SAMSAT Office
You can also check your vehicle tax directly by visiting the SAMSAT office:
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Visit the nearest SAMSAT or regional revenue office
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Ask an officer for assistance in checking vehicle tax
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Fill in the form with vehicle details as instructed
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The officer will inform you of the tax amount due
3. Check Vehicle Tax via Official Bapenda Website
Vehicle tax can also be checked online through the official website of the Regional Revenue Agency (Bapenda) in each province:
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Search for the official Bapenda website of your province
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Open the vehicle tax check page
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Enter the vehicle license plate number
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Enter the last five digits of the chassis number
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The system will display the tax amount due
Requirements for Paying Expired Vehicle Tax Penalties
If vehicle tax has not been paid for up to 2 years, reactivating an expired STNK must be done at the main SAMSAT office that issued the STNK. Prepare the following documents:
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Copy of the vehicle owner’s ID card
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Copy of the expired STNK
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Original expired STNK
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Copy of the vehicle ownership book (BPKB)
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Funds to pay the vehicle tax
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Physical presence of the vehicle
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For foreign nationals, original passport and copy
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Proof of vehicle tax payment (if already paid online)
How to Pay Expired Vehicle Tax Penalties
After preparing the required documents, the next step is paying the vehicle tax penalty. There are two available methods:
1. Offline Payment
You can pay directly through:
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Main SAMSAT office, SAMSAT outlets, mobile SAMSAT, or SAMSAT Drive Thru
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For Drive Thru services, bring the vehicle physically
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Submit required documents (BPKB, ID card, and STNK along with copies)
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Officers will verify documents and process the payment
2. Online Payment
To pay vehicle tax penalties online, make sure the e-Samsat Digital app is installed:
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Open the e-Samsat Digital app
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Register or log in
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Select the payment menu and continue the process
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Obtain the payment code
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Choose a bank and follow the payment instructions
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Complete payment via internet banking, mobile banking, or ATM
With these steps, vehicle tax penalty payments can be completed quickly without visiting the SAMSAT office.
Understanding the consequences of expired vehicle tax and the payment process helps you avoid legal issues and ensures your vehicle remains legally operable. In addition to vehicle taxes, always manage other financial obligations properly to maintain financial stability.
If you need quick funds but your savings are insufficient, BFI Finance offers practical financing solutions using Motorcycle BPKB, Car BPKB, or Property Certificates as collateral. The process is fast, secure, and transparent, supported by over 40 years of experience and supervised by the Financial Services Authority (OJK).
With the right financial support, paying vehicle taxes and penalties becomes easier and stress-free—because #SelaluAdaJalan.
