The Central Government has intimated that the validity of documents under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 and Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989 would stand extended until June 30, because of the national lockdown in place to curb the spread of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19).
Prior Facts:
The advisory was issued after the Government was apprised that people were facing difficulties in renewing such documents due to complete lockdown and closure of Government Transport Offices.
The Central Government has now directed that this advisory be complied with in letter and spirit also so that people, transporters and other organisations rendering essential services are not unduly harassed during this period.
Key Features:
- The documents so extended include Fitness certificates, Permit (all types), Driving License and Registration documents.
- The order would cover all documents that were subsisting as of February 1, 2020.
- The advisory issued in this regard states that the validity of these documents has been extended to June 30.
- The Government has also directed that the “Non-use clause facility” be invoked to suspend the tax liabilities of transport vehicles that are not being used during the lockdown.
- The Government is extending the validity of the documents under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 and the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989.
Advisory:
The Union Ministry of Road, Transport and Highways stated in its advisory that, “for the requirements of the validity of the documents under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 and Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989 it is advised that the validity of Fitness, Permit (all types), Driving License, Registration or any other concerned document (s) whose extension of validity could not or not likely to process due to lock-down and which have expired since 1st of Feb, 2020 or would expire by 30th of June 2020, the same may be treated to be valid up till 30th of June 2020. Enforcement authorities are advised to treat such documents valid till the 30th of June 2020″.
It added that, “Non-use clause facility” for transport vehicles for suspension of tax liability, which is operational in several states and the facilities are being provided by NIC on the VAHAN platform online, may be adopted by other states to give relief to commercial vehicles like tax, buses, etc. which are non-operational under the current circumstances”.
The Ministry in its notification said that “The Government has provided for the availability of the essential goods and production thereof and has allowed vehicles for the transport of such goods/cargo. It has come to the notice of the Government that citizens are facing difficulties in the renewal of validity of various documents related to the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 and Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989 due to complete lockdown in the country and closure of Government Transport offices”.
Edited by J. Madonna Jephi
Approved & Published – Sakshi Raje
Reference:
- RT-11012/02/2019-MVL (pt-8), Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MVL Section), Government of India dated March 30, 2020.
