Central Motor Vehicles (Second Amendment) Rules, 2026
- 21 Jan 2026
On 20th January 2026, the Government of India notified the Central Motor Vehicles (Second Amendment) Rules, 2026, amending the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, to strengthen compliance with user fee (toll) payments on National Highways.
Key Points
- Objective of the Amendment: The amendments aim to improve user fee compliance, enhance the efficiency of Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) systems, and discourage toll evasion on National Highways.
- Definition of ‘Unpaid User Fee’: A new definition has been introduced for unpaid user fee, referring to toll charges recorded by the ETC system for a vehicle’s passage on a National Highway section but not received as per the National Highways Act, 1956.
- Linkage with Vehicle Services: Clearance of unpaid toll dues has been made mandatory for accessing key vehicle-related services.
- No Objection Certificate (NOC): A No Objection Certificate for transfer of ownership or inter-State vehicle transfer will not be granted unless all unpaid National Highway user fees are cleared.
- Certificate of Fitness: Renewal or issuance of a Certificate of Fitness for vehicles will be disallowed if toll dues remain unpaid.
- National Permit for Commercial Vehicles: Commercial vehicles seeking a National Permit must have no pending unpaid user fees.
- Changes in Form 28: Form 28 (application for NOC) has been amended to require disclosure of any pending unpaid user fee demand at toll plazas, along with relevant details.
- Digital Enablement: The amended rules allow electronic issuance of relevant portions of Form 28 through the designated online portal, promoting digital and paperless processes.
- Support for MLFF System: The amendments will facilitate toll collection under the Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) system, enabling barrier-less tolling on National Highways.
