Rules governing Vehicle Fitness Certification amended

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways issued a draft notification on 2^nd February 2022 that further amended the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989. The proposed rules make Vehicle Fitness Certification mandatory only via an automated testing station (ATS). As per the notification the ATS is required to be registered as per the provisions of Rule 175 for the purpose of recognition, regulation and control.

For Heavy Goods/Heavy Passenger motor vehicles the rules shall apply from 1^st April 2023. While, for Medium Goods Vehicles/Medium Passenger Motor Vehicles and Light Motor vehicles the applicability shall commence from 1^st June 2024.

The proposed rules also stipulate revised timelines for renewal of fitness certificates of transport vehicles:

• Two years for vehicles up to eight years old.
• One year for vehicles older than eight years.