India Transport Ministry Cracks Down on Old Vehicles: Steeper Fees Ahead
Image Source: Internet
In a bid to discourage the use of older vehicles, India's transport ministry has significantly hiked fees for fitness tests. A recent notification issued on November 11 introduces new age-based fee slabs for motor vehicles. Commercial vehicles will now face higher costs starting at 10 years, with a clear distinction between 10-15 years, 15-20 years, and vehicles above 20 years. The fee revision affects various vehicle types, including light motor vehicles, heavy trucks, buses, medium commercial vehicles, and two-wheelers. For instance, light motor vehicles above 20 years will now incur a ₹15,000 fitness test fee, up from ₹10,000. Heavy trucks and buses in the same age group will face a steep increase to ₹25,000 from ₹3,500. Medium commercial vehicles will now pay ₹20,000, while two-wheelers will incur a ₹2,000 fee, up from ₹600. This move follows the transport ministry's earlier decision in August to raise renewal charges for older vehicles. The Supreme Court had also intervened in August, instructing authorities not to take coercive action against owners of diesel vehicles older than 10 years and petrol vehicles above 15 years in the Delhi-NCR region. The ministry's latest fee hike aims to encourage vehicle owners to upgrade to newer models, promoting safer and more environmentally friendly transportation options.
