Vehicle Fitness Test: Big news for everyone. The central government has taken a major step to curb the use of old vehicles in the country. Having already burdened vehicle owners by increasing renewal fees for vehicles older than 20 years, the government has now significantly increased fitness test fees. Once the new rule comes into effect, operating older vehicles will become more expensive than ever. This decision, aimed at reducing pollution and removing dangerous, underpowered vehicles from the roads, has attracted the attention of millions of vehicle owners.
New age category for fitness test
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has issued a notification establishing three new age categories for vehicle fitness testing: 10-15 years, 15-20 years, and over 20 years. The most significant change is that commercial vehicles will now be eligible for higher fee slabs after 10 years, compared to 15 years previously. This will bring a significant number of vehicles under the stricter regulations.
What changed for LMV?
The fitness fee for light motor vehicles (LMVs), i.e., cars and small four-wheelers, older than 20 years has been increased from Rs 10,000 to Rs 15,000. The government argues that these older vehicles no longer meet safety and pollution standards, so higher fees will be charged to keep them on the road.
Heavy and medium commercial vehicles have been hit the hardest. The fee for heavy trucks or buses older than 20 years has been increased from Rs 3,500 to Rs 25,000. Additionally, the fee for medium commercial vehicles has been increased to Rs 20,000, and for light commercial vehicles (LCVs) to Rs 15,000. This move is part of a policy to gradually phase out older, more polluting trucks and buses.
The fitness test fee for two-wheelers older than 20 years has been increased from Rs 600 to ₹2,000. The government had already raised the renewal fee in August, and this is another major blow.