10-second video, geotagging: Government makes vehicle fitness certificates, PUC harder to obtain

The days of getting fitness and pollution certificates delivered to our homes, without taking vehicles to a testing center, may soon be over. The Ministry of Road Transport has proposed sweeping changes to motor vehicle rules, making automated testing mandatory for private vehicles, along with video evidence of the test. The move is aimed at curbing malpractices and addressing rising concerns over air pollution, a TOI report said. According to the draft notification, owners of private vehicles will have to take their vehicles to automated testing stations (ATS) for fitness and pollution checks, similar to commercial vehicles. Officials say this will bring transparency and ensure that only roadworthy vehicles remain on Indian roads.

Automated testing stations will be mandatory

The Ministry of Transport has proposed major changes in the Central Motor Vehicle Rules through a draft notification. Once implemented, private vehicles will no longer be able to obtain fitness certificates through informal or proxy arrangements.

There are currently more than 160 automated testing stations operating across the country. The draft makes it clear that private vehicles, especially those over 15 years old, will have to visit these centers for fitness testing. A valid fitness certificate remains mandatory for renewal of registration of such vehicles and every five years thereafter.

Video evidence required prior to issuance of certificate

To ensure that tests are real, the draft notification introduces a new digital check. The authorized testing station or inspection officer must upload a geotagged video of the vehicle before issuing a fitness certificate.

According to the draft notification “the renewal of a fitness certificate should only take place after uploading a geotagged video of at least 10 seconds of the vehicle at the time of the fitness test, capturing the vehicle from the front, rear, right and left, with the registration plate, chassis number, engine number and vehicle characteristics clearly visible.”.

This move is intended to prevent bogus inspections and backlogged approvals that have plagued the system for years.

Old vehicles are given a 180-day deadline

The proposed rules also expand the options for repairing defective vehicles. If a vehicle fails the fitness test, owners are given up to 180 days to make the vehicle roadworthy.

If the vehicle is still declared unsuitable within this period, the vehicle will be classified as an End of Life Vehicle (ELV). The system then marks it as ‘ELV’ in the Vahan database, effectively decommissioning it.

No more renewals via paperwork

Officials said the new rules close a loophole that allowed vehicle owners to extend deadlines without repairing their vehicles. Previously, owners could extend the 180-day limit by simply paying a fee.

“That will not be possible. They have to get the fitness certificate within 180 days from the day the first test found the vehicle unfit. Sufficient safeguards have been put in place to ensure that ATS does not return an incorrect test result,” an official said.

Why the change matters

The proposed revision gains importance amid growing concerns over air pollution and unsafe vehicles on the roads. By mandating automated testing and digital evidence, the ministry hopes to clean up the certification process and ensure that aging vehicles meet safety and emissions standards – or leave the system for good.