The ministry of road transport and highways has proposed major changes to motor vehicle rules that would make automated fitness and pollution testing compulsory for private vehicles and require video evidence before any certificate is issued. The draft notification, currently under consideration, is aimed at reducing malpractice in the certification process and lowering vehicular emissions.
Vehicle fitness certificate checks to require video proof
Under the draft, authorised testing stations will have to upload a geo-tagged video of at least 10 seconds showing the vehicle from the front, rear, right and left sides. The footage must clearly display the registration plate, chassis number, engine number and salient features of the vehicle. Officials say the digital record will prevent fake inspections and backdated approvals that have undermined confidence in the system.
The government proposes to make automated test stations mandatory for private vehicles in the same way they already are for commercial vehicles. At present more than 160 automated test stations operate across the country, but the draft specifies that private vehicles older than 15 years must present themselves at these centres for fitness assessments. A valid vehicle fitness certificate will remain necessary to renew registration and, thereafter, owners will have to complete checks every five years.
For those vehicles that fail initial inspection, the draft tightens repair timelines. Owners will have 180 days to make necessary fixes and secure a fresh fitness certificate. If the vehicle is not declared fit within that period it will be categorised as an End of Life Vehicle and flagged as such in the Vahan database, removing it from active use. The proposal removes a prior loophole which allowed owners to extend deadlines by paying fees, a practice officials say encouraged delay rather than repairs.
Transport ministry sources say safeguards will be built into the automated testing system to avoid incorrect results from any authorised test station. The combination of machine-based testing and digital evidence is intended to increase transparency and ensure that only roadworthy vehicles remain on the nation’s roads, thereby addressing both safety and pollution concerns.
Policy analysts welcomed the emphasis on enforcement but noted practical challenges. With only around 160 automated centres currently available, scaling capacity to serve millions of private vehicles will require investment and a phased rollout. Rural and remote vehicle owners may face additional travel and time costs to reach testing centres. Authorities will need to plan for increased demand and consider mobile ATS units or regional hubs.
Privacy and data retention are likely to feature in public consultation. The draft requires geo-tagged videos to be uploaded at the time of testing, raising questions about how long records will be stored and who will have access. Officials say the Vahan database will reflect fitness status and ELV markings, but they must now set clear rules on data protection and retention periods.
If implemented, the reforms could accelerate the removal of older, high-emitting vehicles from circulation and improve the credibility of pollution and fitness checks. The draft notification is open to stakeholders before final rules are issued, giving industry groups and citizen organisations an opportunity to raise implementation concerns and suggest refinements.
Key Takeaways:
- India will require automated tests and a geo-tagged 10 second video before issuing any vehicle fitness certificate.
- Private vehicles, especially those older than 15 years, must visit authorised automated test stations instead of obtaining home-delivered approvals.
- Owners have 180 days to repair failed vehicles or face an End of Life Vehicle (ELV) flag in the Vahan database.
- The move aims to curb malpractice and reduce vehicle emissions by making the vehicle fitness certificate process transparent.
