Centre extends validity of all vehicle documents to 31 July

Hyderabad: The Union ministry of road transport and highways (MoRTH), on 24 May, issued orders to extend the validity of all vehicle documents like vehicle permits, registration, fitness certificates, renewal of the driving license, or any other vehicle-related documents in view of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Earlier, the ministry had issued orders extending the validity of all such documents till 30 June 2020. But it has decided to extend the validity till 31 July. This decision comes as a relief to motorists who could not process their vehicle documents due to the nationwide lockdown. The ministry also made it clear that no additional or late fee would be charged till 31 July.

Further, the ministry also observed that people were facing difficulties in respect of various fees and late fees, as mandated in the Motor Vehicles Act 1988, due to the lockdown and closure of government transport offices. There are also instances where the fees have already been paid, for the service or renewal but the process could not be completed due to the lockdown. Further, there are issues where people are facing difficulties in depositing fees due to the closure of RTO offices.

MORTH issued a statutory order prescribing that the fees paid on or after 1 February for activities, including renewal, and if that is not completed due to conditions for prevention of COVID-19 pandemic, the fees paid shall continue to remain valid. If there is a delay in paying the fees from 1 February till the period of lockdown, there will be no additional or late fee till 31 July.