Advisory for Extension of Validity of Documents till 31 March 2021

To

1. The Director-General of Police

2. Principal Secretaries/ Secretaries, Department of Transport

3. The Transport Commissioners of all the States and Union Territories.

Subject: Extension of the Validity of documents related to the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 and Central Motor Vehicle Rules, 1989

Madam /Sir,

Please refer to Ministry of Home Affairs Order No.40-3/2020-DMI(A), dated 24th March 2020, and the guidelines issued subsequently, pursuant to a decision to impose a complete lockdown initially and certain restrictions subsequently in view of the threat imposed by the spread of COVID-19. The Government has provided for the availability of the essential goods and production thereof and has allowed the vehicles for the transport of such goods/cargo and further opening up the operation of passenger transport in view of the fact that citizens were finding it difficult to get renewed the validity of various documents related to Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 and Central Motor Vehicle Rules, 1989 due to lock-down in operation at various stages in different parts of the country and other countries world over. Renewal of such documents is still leading to the assembly of people and long queues in front of the Transport Offices across the country.

2. In view of the above, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways had issued advisories dated 30th March 2020, 9th June 2020, and 24th August 2020 to all States and Union Territories regarding extension of validity of the documents related to the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 and Central Motor Vehicle Rules, 1989. It was advised that the validity of Fitness, Permit (all types), Driving License, Registration, or any other concerned document (s) whose extension of validity could or not likely be granted due to lock-down and which had expired since 1st of Feb, 2020, or would expire by 31st of December 2020 the same might be treated as valid till 31st of December 2020. Enforcement authorities were advised to treat such documents as valid till 31st of December 2020.

3. Considering the Pandemic situation is yet to become normal and Government needs to bring conducive situation for prevention of the spread of COVID-19 across the country, it is advised that the validity of all the of the above-referred Documents whose extension of validity could not or not likely to be granted due to COVID 19 pandemic and which is expired from 1st of Feb, 2020 or would expire by 31st March 2021, be treated as valid till 31st March 2021. Enforcement authorities are advised to treat such documents as valid till 31st March 2021. This will help out the citizens in availing of transport-related services.

4. All the States and Union Territories are requested to implement this advisory in letter and spirit so that the citizens, the transporters, and various other organizations which are operating during this difficult time during Covid Pandemic may not get harassed or face difficulties.