Major Overhaul Under New Motor Vehicle Rules

In a sweeping move targeting India’s ageing vehicle fleet, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has sharply increased fitness certification fees—by more than ten times—under the Central Motor Vehicles (Fifth Amendment) Rules, 2025. Alongside the fee hike, the age threshold for mandatory fitness testing has been lowered from 15 years to 10 years, fundamentally changing the cost of owning older vehicles.

New Age-Based Fee Structure for All Vehicle Categories

The revised framework applies to all vehicle types, including two-wheelers, three-wheelers, four-wheelers, quadricycles, light motor vehicles (LMVs), and medium and heavy commercial vehicles.
The rule introduces three age slabs:

• 10–15 years

• 15–20 years

• Above 20 years

Charges rise significantly as vehicles age, making it progressively costlier to keep older vehicles on the road.

Heavy Penalties for Commercial Vehicles Above 20 Years

Commercial operators will bear the steepest increases:

• Heavy goods/passenger vehicles (20+ years): ₹25,000 (up from ₹2,500)

• Medium commercial vehicles: ₹20,000 (up from ₹1,800)

• LMVs & three-wheelers: ₹7,000–₹15,000

• Late fee surcharge: ₹2,000 (up from ₹600)

Even vehicles in the lowest age slab (10–15 years) will now face base charges ranging from ₹400 to ₹1,000, depending on type.

Government Pushes for Cleaner Roads, Scrapping of Old Vehicles

MoRTH has defended the steep fee hike as a necessary step to:

• Reduce road accidents caused by poorly maintained vehicles

• Lower vehicular emissions

• Encourage faster scrapping of outdated and polluting automobiles

• Promote adoption of safer, cleaner, modern vehicles

Government officials say these measures will yield long-term environmental and safety benefits.

Owners Struggle as Costs Rise Sharply

The abrupt jump in fees, however, has left millions of vehicle owners—particularly working-class families and commercial transporters—concerned. Many rely on decade-old cars, bikes, or transport vehicles for their livelihood, and the new charges present a significant financial burden.

Transport unions and fleet operators have warned of increased operational costs, which could trickle down to consumers.

India’s Ageing Vehicle Fleet Faces Tougher Days Ahead

As India grapples with rising pollution levels and frequent road mishaps, the new rules signal a stricter regulatory era for older vehicles. With fitness certification now more expensive than ever, owners will have to choose between maintaining ageing machines or opting for scrapping and replacement.

The post Wallet Hit for Car & Bike Owners: Fitness Charges Hiked 10-Fold, Threshold Slashed to 10 Years appeared first on Odisha Connect.