All heavy commercial vehicles such as trucks and buses must complete a fitness test from the automatic testing station approved from June, 2023, according to the concept of notification issued by the Ministry of Road Transportation.
For private vehicles, medium and passenger goods, this compulsory norm will take effect from June 2024, he said.
The proposed changes in the Fitness Test regime are part of the government’s policy to encourage the policy of voluntary vehicle scrappage to retire unworthy vehicles.
At present, vehicle owners can do tests carried out both at the automatic or manual testing center.
There is a high scope of test results manipulated in the system manual.
Some transportation experts told TOI that the government had to ensure that there was enough such a center throughout the country before making this mandatory.
“You cannot be responsible to people, if they don’t get such a center in a 100 km radius.
Every official vehicle dealer must have this facility related to RTO.
You will see compliance when you ensure the facility rather than just blaming people, “The S P Singh of Iftrt said, a Delhi-based think tank tank on the transportation problem.
Motor vehicle laws mandate fitness testing for commercial vehicles every two years to eight years, and every year for more than eight years vehicles.
In terms of private vehicles, the owner needs to do a fitness test after 15 years at the time of registration updates.
They need to do a test done every five years for more than 15 years old vehicles.
Because the government has made vehicle fitness as criteria for removing old and unsafe, many will depend on the quality of the test results.
Officials say the provision of mandatory tests in the center will automatically ensure it.