Driving license, pollution-certificates can now be carried in digital form
On Tuesday, the government announced that driving licenses and pollution control certificates can now be carried in digital forms. Additionally, the fitness certification requirement for new commercial vehicles at the time of registration has been scrapped. Furthermore, fitness certificates will be renewed for two years for vehicles up to eight-years-old, and one year for vehicles older than eight years. Meanwhile, the ministry will accept suggestions on the amendments till August 11.
The ministry explains new fitness certification norms
"No fitness certification shall be required at the time of registration for new transport vehicles sold as fully built vehicles. Such vehicles will be deemed to be having certificate of fitness for a period of two years from the date of registration," explained the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways ministry.
Draft amendment proposes changes for commercial vehicles with national permits
Another notable change in the draft amendment is that vehicle tracking systems and FASTags for toll collection would be made mandatory for all commercial vehicles obtaining a national permit. The proposed changes are part of a draft amendment to the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, which prescribes several other changes too.
The MoRTH's official statement on the amendment
"Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has notified draft amendments to the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, making FASTags and vehicle tracking system device mandatory for all commercial vehicles (CVs) obtaining national permit," said the ministry in a statement.
All vehicles have to display their national permits
Other proposed changes include the mandatory displaying of "National Permit or N/P" on the front and rear of commercial vehicles obtaining the permit. For trailers, this has to be inscribed on the rear, and the left side of the vehicle. Tankers carrying hazardous goods have to be painted in white, and are required to have reflective tapes at front and rear ends.
The amendment also modifies requirements for carrying goods
Additionally, the draft amendment mandates that all goods carrying vehicles will have to carry goods within the closed body of the vehicle, in a container, or cover goods with appropriate material like tarpaulin if closed carriage isn't possible.
