[anjan_c2007]

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) is again at their games, doing what it is best known for. Hike taxes to unaffordable levels, create confusion and trouble owners! The hapless relinquish ownership of old vehicles swapping these for new ones. The air gets"tremendously purified."

Massive hikes have been proposed in the existing fitness fee structure vide a draft notification of 07.02.25 for old vehicles of all categories. The idea is to BANISH these from the Indian soil by creating confusion and torment for the owners, who will get fed up and give up ownership of these. Thereby these "ageing" vehicles will be handed over to scrappers. Scrappers are waiting hungrily ( malnourished they are) and eagerly for the numbers, to sustain themselves and earn more. And OE's also are to subsequently fill their coffers as soon as the ex-owners land in a new automobile showrooms and buy something new. The air quaility is awaiting purification. The question is will all these dreams and goals come true for the scrappers and OE showrooms? However, it has not come true till now, after such charges were hiked wef 01.04.2022 based on the October 2021 notification by the MoRTH.

The renewal of registration of over 20-year-old motorcycles and cars would cost Rs 2,000 and Rs 10,000 respectively. The move is aimed at disincentivising people to keep vehicles that were manufactured before the BS-II emission norms came into force. With focus on phasing out commercial medium and heavy vehicles that are over 15 years old, the draft rule has proposed renewal fees to Rs 12,000 and Rs 18,000 respectively. For renewing registration of such vehicles over 20 years would be doubled to Rs 24,000 and Rs 36,000 respectively.

The road transport ministry in October 2021 had increased the registration and renewal fee of motorcycles, three-wheelers and cars, but had left out medium and heavy passenger and goods vehicles. "We have not touched the renewal fees for private vehicles after they complete 15 years. While we have proposed revised fees for 15-year-old commercial vehicles, we have sought to increase the renewal charge for the ones which were registered 20 years back," said a transport ministry official.

All India Motor Transport Congress said it has opposed "sudden and excessive hike" in the fitness test fees. It said the fee for fitness test ranged between Rs 500 and Rs 1,500 for most vehicles, with heavy transport vehicles paying a maximum of Rs 3,000. But in the draft notification, it has been more than doubled, with commercial motorcycles now requiring to pay Rs 1,000 for 8-15 year old and Rs 2,000 after 15 years. Similarly, fitness tests for three-wheelers and heavy vehicles have been proposed between Rs 7,000 and Rs 25,000. It has sought withdrawal of the draft notification.

For private vehicle owners (cars and bikes) for the renewal at the end of 15 years there is no hike. The rates based on the October 2021 notification applies. However, the next fitness wef the 20th year onwards these hikes shall apply if this draft notification becomes the rule.

The commercial vehicle owners have powerful unions and these are already aghast at the sight of such hikes.
They will surely get their issues resolved by taking suitable steps that the government is well aware of. They can cripple the system.

Newslink:-
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/.../118128532.cms

Hike in respect of commercial vehicles:-

A prominent transport union leader, representing Maharashtra's Goods and Passengers Transport Association and the All India Motor Transport Congress, criticized the fee increase. He pointed out that vehicles older than 15 years require re-registration with the Regional Transport Offices (RTOs) after undergoing fitness tests. He added that this new fee structure would force many transporters, who are already struggling financially, to either scrap their vehicles or face severe losses, benefitting vehicle manufacturers who might see a boost in sales.

Additionally, the leader highlighted that in metro cities, vehicles over 8 years old are no longer allowed to operate, leading transporters to sell their older vehicles to operators in rural areas. The new fee increase could further exacerbate the situation, leaving many with no viable option but to dispose of their fleet and purchase new ones.

The unions have already addressed letters to the transport ministry and the Union Minister for Transport, urging them to reconsider the decision. If the fees are not revised, the unions have warned of a nationwide "chakka jam" protest, which could disrupt transport

The newslink with CV unions venting their ire:-

https://punemirror.com/pune/others/t...1739169794.htm

The topic is for the draft notification dated 07.02.2025 to hike fitness fees by the MoRTH. Representations can be made to them within 30 days, with points and counterpoints before these draconian fee hikes get enforced.

[ringsoftime]

The said draft on 07.02.2025 is not yet updated on the MoRTH website : https://morth.nic.in/Motor-Vehicle-Legislation

But the 2021 notification is listed, and attaching a copy here. The proposed hikes are indeed very steep.

[DicKy]

Someone drill sense into these knuckleheads and let them know that the only people who are going to be affected are the ones who follow rules and tend to keep their vehicles in good condition.

The ones who cause most of the pollution and don't keep the vehicles in condition won't even know such a rule exists, let alone heed them.

Stop being lazy and put up vehicle test centres to test vehicles' fitness. Not just ban them. And if you really want gleaming new vehicles on the road, stop swallowing the 40%+ taxes.

[alpha1]

So, the govt feels that I will spend Rs 20 lakhs on a new car to save Rs 20 thousand on re-registration and fitness tests?

[for_cars1]

Its the politicians exploiting below attitude of ours depicted in the video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mCc4wu3IUic

[sarathlal]

Originally Posted by DicKy

let them know that the only people who are going to be affected are the ones who follow rules and tend to keep their vehicles in good condition.

The ones who cause most of the pollution and don't keep the vehicles in condition won't even know such a rule exists, let alone heed them.

Exactly. It is those who care about their vehicles who will go behind and keep everything updated. And majority of such vehicles will be in pristine condition let alone damaging the environment.

Penalising based on fitness and compliance is the ideal way to go about these things. With pollution testing (another 6 month interval scam) very tightly integrated with the system, it should not be a problem to do this, technically.

All the while, we can see extremely poorly maintained public transport buses happily smoking around in public roads

[Apex1815]

I think I am misunderstanding something here.

The fitness renewal fee is Rs 2000 and Rs 10000 at 20 years for 2W and 4W respectively.

At the outset, very minimal percentage of people (I think less than 1%) use a 2W and 4W for 20+ years.

Even if they want to use their vehicle beyond 20 years, the aforesaid fitness renewal fees is very less as compared to the cost of an equivalent new vehicle. So a person who wants to use his vehicle for 20, 30, 40 yrs is not losing anything and the fitness fees is still minimal.

[KrisTvpm]

My daily ride - Bajaj Caliber 111.6cc, Oct2000 model - is up for next FC renewal in 2026.

Have maintained it in quite good condition, have strong sentimental attachment to it as it is a gift from my late father upon landing my 1st job!

Wouldn't mind paying 2K or more for FC renewal, I can't think of scrapping it

If USA/Europe many other countries allow enthusiasts and even daily drivers to maintain their decades old cars (presume bikes too), what's the problem with GoI/Morth? If they follow this path, how do they think we can have any vintage cars/bikes?

Instead of penalising law-abiding citizens even more, they must look at various state govt. owned vehicles incl. public transport buses, which pollute more in a day than what our cars/bikes does in all the years of ownership

[cpbhp]

Originally Posted by KrisTvpm

My daily ride - Bajaj Caliber 111.6cc, Oct2000 model - is up for next FC renewal in 2026.

Have maintained it in quite good condition, have strong sentimental attachment to it as it is a gift from my late father upon landing my 1st job!

Wouldn't mind paying 2K or more for FC renewal, I can't think of scrapping it

The Caliber makes me nostalgic. Some of the best moments of my life were spent on the back of my friends Caliber. Crazy times.

[Whirlwind]

It’s truly frustrating to see the Ministry at it again with this draft notification. I am a proud owner of a pristine-condition 2010 Fiat Linea due for renewal next month, and already dreading these new fitness fees. I haven’t even checked the exact charges yet, but this relentless push from government is a clear attempt to phase out older vehicles. The goal of "air purification" seems like nothing more than an excuse to burden owners like us, forcing us to either scrap our cherished cars or cave in to new car showrooms. It’s discouraging, to say the least.

[dsuman]

I would like to go against the Tide.

There will be very few people who would use their vehicles beyond 20 years. Also we are assuming all vehicles will be maintained in top notch conditions when venting our ire on this decision. The MoRTH is referring to phasing out BS-II and older vehicles. i believe irrespective of Maintenance the amount of venom spewing out of the tailpipes of these vehicles will be bad if not worse than new age (BS 4 and above) vehicles.

I too have a Santro Xing which will complete 20 years in Sept 2025. I am ok with paying Rs 10K if my car is eligible fitness wise.

[F10D1061]

Severely infuriating. Basically pushing the hard 15y limit of NGT to everyone using market forces.

This problem is one that will affect people in metro and tier 1 cities more, particularly the class that cannot afford new cars on a whim, without downgrading. Someone with a ~13L budget cannot comfortably keep a 2 car garage anymore despite already having a functional beater car. They are hell bent on putting an artificial expiry date on supposed assets that already depreciate, are becoming costlier to operate and acquire all while offering no alternative.

Govt should realize that even though the voter base may not exist currently, such decisions will push away fence sitter whose lives these impact drastically.

My own example is that my family currently owns 2 Wagonrs, 2009 F10D Lxi model, and a 2017 K10 AGS Vxi. The running is extremely low as they were mainly city used prior to lockdown.

Now as the family is growing up, long road trips are becoming more common and we have been debating over a new car. Currently, the new wagonr is being used for all tasks including highway trips, which is far from ideal when covering 900+ km a day.

Why not use the older one? The older wagonr is practically my personal car as the exteriors are in shambles, so the status factor is gone, ageing mom now prefers automatic only (she got it with her own money).

Now consider this - if these new rates are implemented, I will be forced to let go of my baby, and we will be downgraded to a 1 car garage, in a family where 2 cars are often used simultaneously.

I am also relocating to haryana for career reasons, however within the NCR region yet far from gurugram. There is a requirement for a car with me due to absolutely pathetic connectivity, however due to NCR rules, my 16y wagonr cannot operate despite passing a fitness check (and will get caught in the odd chance I visit delhi or ggn for weekend entertainment).

The ideal solution would be to sell the new wagonr while it still has decent resale value, get a decent sub 4m category car like 3xo or kylaq, and pass along the older one to me, as nobody else drives it at home.

Yet we will be forced to spend atleast 3 -4L more for the same value I will be getting (easy travel) no good reason, which leaves us in a limbo, as that is not affordable, nor does it make sense to buy a small car that doesn't fit the highway requirements, as we tend to keep cars for very long.

[careind]

Originally Posted by F10D1061

Severely infuriating. Basically pushing the hard 15y limit of NGT to everyone using market forces.

Now consider this - if these new rates are implemented, I will be forced to let go of my baby, and we will be downgraded to a 1 car garage, in a family where 2 cars are often used simultaneously.

The reply seems to be disproportionately severe to the raise being proposed. Why would you need to leave your "baby" for a paltry renewal registration of Rs.10000 at the end of 20 years?

[F10D1061]

Originally Posted by careind

The reply seems to be disproportionately severe to the raise being proposed. Why would you need to leave your "baby" for a paltry renewal registration of Rs.10000 at the end of 20 years?

Because the car was passed down to me in a sort of uncared for state (used for very short trips only so engine wasn't kept well, worn out clutch and other signs of ill maintenance, was left untouched almost for 7 years due to various reasons), so the market value of the car doesn't justify most of the costs needed to fix the panels etc.

As I mentioned, I don't earn yet, and 10k is a large amount for me irrespective of that. With 10k I can get some more of the car repaired, but to set it aside for renewal gets me no value as such. I've already spent close to 20k getting the car to a mechanically running state.


It's a car I want to get fixed, but due to rusting damage, lack of maintenance and limited funds, I can't. On top of that, I know it's strictly a city car, and cannot be used for over 250km trips, so even less reason to justify the cost. I really wish I could, but once I start earning, there are more important places my money needs to go. Cars are one of the more expensive pleasures of life it seems.

[anjan_c2007]

The draft notification of the newly proposed hikes by the MoRTH dated 7.02.25 that invites representations within 30 days viz 08.03.25.

It proposes reregistration fee hikes of 100% for 20 year and older cars. Also the fees for 2 wheeler and all other categories of 20 yr or older vehicles are proposed to be hiked by at least 100% or more.

The second such massive hike within just two years and ten months, since the last hike effective 01.04.2022. The hike then was by 8 to 10 times or more of the then existing fees.

I shall be sending representations to the PMO and the Leader of the Opposition in respect of privately owned vehicles in a day or two and shall share the letter. All can accordingly edit and send the representation. More the better.

[ATTACH=GSR 124(E) - Draft Notification for increase in fee for renewal of Registration Certificate and Fitn]2730219[/ATTACH]