Motor vehicle rules amended: no NOC, fitness or permit with unpaid toll
The Centre notified the Central Motor Vehicles (Second Amendment) Rules, 2026, linking unpaid National Highway user fees to vehicle transfers, fitness certificates and National Permits, the Road Transport Ministry said on 20 January 2026.
Summary
The amendment to the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989 aims to improve toll compliance, make Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) more efficient and discourage evasion. It defines 'unpaid user fee' as the fee for a National Highway section where the ETC system recorded the vehicle's passage but the fee was not received under the National Highways Act, 1956. A No Objection Certificate for transfer of ownership or inter-state transfer will not be issued until unpaid fees are cleared; fitness certificates cannot be renewed or generated with dues outstanding; and commercial vehicles seeking a National Permit must have no unpaid user fee. Form 28 has been changed accordingly.
Key facts
- Rules
- Central Motor Vehicles (Second Amendment) Rules, 2026
- Amends
- Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989
- New term
- 'Unpaid user fee' — passage recorded by ETC, fee not received
- Blocked until dues cleared
- NOC for transfer, fitness certificate, National Permit
- Form changed
- Form 28
- Parent law for fee
- National Highways Act, 1956
Practice MCQs 3 questions
The Central Motor Vehicles (Second Amendment) Rules, 2026 amend which set of rules?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989
PIB (MoRTH): the Second Amendment Rules, 2026 introduce changes to the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989.
Under the January 2026 amendment to the motor vehicle rules, which of the following is NOT stated to be withheld for a vehicle with unpaid National Highway user fee?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Renewal of the owner's driving licence
PIB (MoRTH): the rules bar the transfer NOC, fitness certificate renewal/generation and National Permit while user fee is unpaid; driving licence renewal is not mentioned.
Under the amended rules, an 'unpaid user fee' refers to a fee for a National Highway section where:
Show answer
Correct answer: B — The ETC system recorded the vehicle's passage but the fee was not received
PIB (MoRTH): 'unpaid user fee' is the fee for an NH section where the ETC system recorded the vehicle's passage but the fee was not received in accordance with the National Highways Act, 1956.