The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has proposed a substantial increase in vehicle fitness testing and certificate renewal fees, particularly targeting older vehicles. This move, announced in September 2025, aims to reduce pollution and enhance road safety by discouraging the use of older, potentially less roadworthy vehicles.

Details of the Proposed Fee Hike

The proposed rules outline a significant increase in fees for vehicles aged 15-20 years, with even steeper hikes for vehicles over 20 years old. While specific figures may vary, owners of vehicles older than 20 years could face double the current testing fees. For instance, commercial motorcycles may be required to pay ₹1,000 for vehicles 8-15 years old and ₹2,000 for those older than 15 years. Similarly, fitness tests for three-wheelers and heavy vehicles could see fees between ₹7,000 and ₹25,000.

Rationale Behind the Proposal

The government's decision is motivated by several factors:

• Reducing Pollution: Older vehicles generally have higher emissions. By increasing the cost of maintaining these vehicles, the government hopes to encourage owners to switch to newer, more environmentally friendly models.
• Enhancing Road Safety: Older vehicles are more likely to have mechanical issues that could lead to accidents. Stricter and more frequent fitness tests, coupled with higher fees, are intended to ensure that only roadworthy vehicles remain in operation.
• Promoting Vehicle Scrapping: The fee hike aligns with the government's vehicle scrapping policy, which aims to phase out old and unfit vehicles. By making it more expensive to keep older vehicles on the road, the government hopes to incentivize owners to scrap them.

Implementation and Automated Testing

To ensure accurate and transparent assessments, the government is promoting the use of automated testing centers. These centers use mechanical equipment to conduct tests with minimal human intervention, reducing the potential for corruption and ensuring factual reports. The transition to mandatory fitness testing via Automated Testing Stations (ATS) is being implemented in a phased manner.

Concerns and Opposition

The proposed fee hike has faced opposition from transporters and vehicle owners, who argue that it will create an excessive financial burden, disrupt supply chains, and negatively impact the economy. The All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC) has criticized the move, stating that transporters are already struggling with rising operational costs. They also fear that increased fees and frequent fitness tests could lead to corruption and harassment.

Current Fitness Certificate Procedure

The current process for obtaining a vehicle fitness certificate involves:

1. Online Application: Applying through the Parivahan Sewa website.
2. Document Submission: Providing necessary documents such as the vehicle's registration certificate, insurance policy, and PUC certificate.
3. Fee Payment: Paying the required fee online. The current fees vary depending on the vehicle type and testing method (manual or automated).
4. RTO Visit: Visiting the Regional Transport Office (RTO) for vehicle inspection.
5. Inspection: The RTO examiner will inspect the vehicle to ensure it meets the required safety and emission standards.
6. Certificate Issuance: If the vehicle passes the inspection, the fitness certificate is issued.

Driving without a valid fitness certificate can result in fines ranging from ₹2,000 to ₹5,000 for the first offense, and ₹5,000 to ₹10,000 for subsequent offenses, potentially leading to imprisonment for repeated violations.

Feedback and Future Outlook

The government has provided a 30-day window for stakeholders to share their feedback on the proposed changes. It remains to be seen whether the concerns raised by transporters and vehicle owners will lead to any modifications in the final rules. However, the government seems determined to proceed with its plan to promote cleaner and safer vehicles on Indian roads.