Keeping Old Vehicles to Get Costlier as Government Hikes Vehicle Fitness Test Fees by Up to 10 Times
Running and maintaining old vehicles is set to get costlier as the government has increased Vehicle Fitness Test Fees across the country. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has notified the revised rates under the Central Motor Vehicle Rules (Fifth Amendment), and the changes come into effect immediately. The move aims to push older and unsafe vehicles off Indian roads.
The biggest change in the updated Vehicle Fitness Test Fees is the reduction in the age threshold for higher charges. Earlier, higher rates applied only to vehicles older than 15 years. Now, increased fees kick in after 10 years, with three slabs:
• 10 to 15 years
• 15 to 20 years
• More than 20 years
The older the vehicle, the higher the fee. This is a shift from the previous flat rate that applied only after 15 years.
The revised structure covers all categories including two-wheelers, three-wheelers, quadricycles, light motor vehicles, and medium and heavy commercial vehicles.
Biggest Impact on Heavy Commercial Vehicles
• Trucks and buses over 20 years old will now pay Rs 25,000, up from Rs 2,500.
• Medium commercial vehicles in the same age group will pay Rs 20,000, up from Rs 1,800.
Revised Fees for Other Vehicle Categories Over 20 Years
• Light motor vehicles: Rs 15,000
• Three-wheelers: Rs 7,000
• Two-wheelers: Rs 2,000 (previously Rs 600)
Even vehicles under 15 years will see higher Vehicle Fitness Test Fees. Under Rule 81:
• Motorcycles: Rs 400
• Light motor vehicles: Rs 600
• Medium and heavy commercial vehicles: Rs 1,000
The revised rates are expected to discourage long-term use of older vehicles, especially commercial fleets, and push owners towards scrapping or replacing aging vehicles.
