Vehicle Fitness Fees Hiked Up to 10x: Running Older Cars to Become More Expensive

The Indian government has revised fitness test fees for vehicles aged over 10 years, implementing new age-based slabs and significantly increasing costs-up to 10 times-for commercial and private vehicles. This aims to promote the scrapping of older polluting vehicles from Indian roads. 

Fitness Fee Hikes Based on Vehicle Age and Category 

Under the amended Central Motor Vehicles Rules, vehicles are now grouped into 3 age brackets: 10-15 years, 15-20 years, and above 20 years. Fees have been substantially increased for each bracket. For vehicles over 20 years old, commercial vehicle fees have seen the steepest rise. Heavy vehicles like buses and trucks now face a fee of ₹25,000, up from ₹2,500. Medium commercial vehicles will pay ₹20,000 instead of ₹1,800, while light motor vehicles must shell out ₹15,000 compared to earlier ₹600. Three-wheelers will now pay ₹7,000, and two-wheelers face a hike from ₹600 to ₹2,000. 

Revised Fitness Fees for Vehicles Below 15 Years 

Even newer vehicles haven’t been exempted. For those below 15 years, fees have also been moderately increased. Motorcycles will now pay ₹400, light motor vehicles ₹600, and medium to heavy commercial vehicles ₹1,000 for the mandatory fitness test. 

Read More: Alert Car Buyers: Here Are 7 Must-Know FAQs to Save Up to 15% on Car Insurance!! 

Scrappage Policy and Safety Regulations Behind Fee Increase 

The revised fee structure is part of the government’s broader push to enforce the vehicle scrappage policy and improve road safety. By increasing the cost of retaining older vehicles, the government aims to reduce emissions from outdated engines and remove unsafe vehicles from circulation. Vehicle owners are now faced with a strong economic disincentive to continue using ageing transport assets. 

The new fitness test fees have been implemented from November 18, 2025, across the country. No transitional relief or grace period has been announced, making compliance mandatory with immediate effect. 

Conclusion 

The latest revision in fitness testing fees is a significant policy move encouraging the phasing out of older vehicles. With charges rising steeply based on vehicle age and type, the cost of maintaining ageing vehicles has increased notably across India. 

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