ATS proof must for vehicles from Apr ’23

HEAVY GOODS VEHICLES WILL BE MANDATORILY TESTED FROM 2023, WHILE PVS FROM JUNE 1, 2024

The government has made fitness testing of vehicles through automated testing stations (ATS) mandatory in a phased manner starting April next year. Fitness testing for heavy goods vehicles and heavy passenger motor vehicles through an ATS will be mandatory from April 1, 2023, according to the ministry of road transport and highways.

In the case of medium goods vehicles and medium passenger motor vehicles and light motor vehicles (transport), this will be compulsory more than a year later, from June 1, 2024.

The rules provides fitness certificates for two years for vehicles up to eight years old and one year for vehicles older than eight years. An ATS uses mechanical equipment to automate the various tests that are required to be done to check the fitness of a vehicle.

“The ministry of road transport and highways has issued a notification dated April 5, 2022, regarding mandatory fitness of motor vehicles only through an automated testing station, registered in accordance with rule 175 of the Central Motor Vehicle Rules 1989,” according to the ministry. Last year, the ministry said entities such as special purpose vehicles, state governments, companies, associations and bodies of individuals may be allowed to open ATS for testing fitness of both personal and transport vehicles.

Fitness testing for personal vehicles (non-transport) is done at the time of renewal of registration (after 15 years). The renewal of certificate of fitness will be for two years for commercial vehicles (or those used to carry passenger) that are up to eight years old and one year for commercial vehicles