The Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH) has revised vehicle fitness test fees, making it costlier to keep older vehicles on the road. After earlier changes to renewal charges, the new fee structure aims to gradually phase out ageing and higher-polluting vehicles from Indian roads.
Under the updated MoRTH rules, fitness tests will now be grouped into three age slabs — 10–15 years, 15–20 years, and above 20 years. Commercial vehicles will shift into higher fee brackets from 10 years instead of the earlier 15, bringing more transport vehicles under stricter checks.
For car owners, the fee hike is significant. Light motor vehicles (LMVs) older than 20 years will now pay Rs 15,000, up from Rs 10,000. This is intended to discourage users from running very old vehicles that may no longer meet current emission and safety standards.
The sharpest increase is for commercial categories. Heavy trucks and buses above 20 years now face a massive jump to Rs 25,000, compared to the earlier Rs 3,500. Medium commercial vehicles in the same age group will pay Rs 20,000, while light commercial vehicles match the Rs 15,000 LMV slab. Two-wheelers above 20 years also see a notable rise — from Rs 600 to Rs 2,000.
Revised Vehicle Fitness Test Fees (New Age Slabs)
Vehicle Category | 10–15 Years | 15–20 Years | Above 20 Years (Revised) |
|---|---|---|---|
Light Motor Vehicle (LMV) | Standard fee | Standard fee | Rs 15,000 (Earlier: Rs 10,000) |
Light Commercial Vehicle | Higher slab begins | Higher slab continues | Rs 15,000 |
Medium Commercial Vehicle | Higher slab begins | Higher slab continues | Rs 20,000 |
Heavy Commercial Vehicle (Trucks/Buses) | Higher slab begins | Higher slab continues | Rs 25,000 (Earlier: Rs 3,500) |
Two-Wheelers | Standard fee | Standard fee | Rs 2,000 (Earlier: Rs 600) |
The Supreme Court has also provided temporary relief for NCR users by stopping authorities from taking action against older petrol and diesel vehicles for now. But overall, the message is clear — under the new fitness test charges in India, maintaining vehicles beyond 20 years will become increasingly expensive.
