Quick Takeaways
- Central Motor Vehicles (Second Amendment) Rules 2026 strengthen toll fee enforcement
- The amendments directly link unpaid toll fees with vehicle registration and permit-related approvals.
The Government of India has notified the Central Motor Vehicles (Second Amendment) Rules 2026, introducing tighter regulatory measures to improve compliance with toll user fee payments at National Highway toll plazas. The notification marks a policy shift by integrating toll payment discipline with critical vehicle-related approvals.
A key feature of the Central Motor Vehicles (Second Amendment) Rules 2026 is the formal definition of “unpaid user fee.” This term refers to toll charges captured by Electronic Toll Collection systems for vehicle movement on National Highway stretches where payment has not been completed in line with the National Highways Act, 1956.
Renewal of the Certificate of Fitness will now be permitted only after all pending toll-related dues are cleared, ensuring that roadworthiness certification aligns with payment compliance across the highway network.
Vehicles applying for National Permits must now confirm that no unpaid user fee is pending against them, making toll clearance a prerequisite for long-distance and interstate commercial operations.
Documentation processes have been updated to support these changes. Form 28, used for applying for No Objection Certificates, has been revised to mandate disclosure of any outstanding toll plaza demands. The form will also be enabled for electronic issuance through designated digital portals, supporting faster and more transparent processing.
The regulatory changes follow an extended consultative process. Draft rules were issued through a Gazette Notification on July 11, 2025, with stakeholder and public feedback invited after draft copies were made available on July 14, 2025. The final notification reflects inputs received during this consultation phase.
The approach is expected to enable seamless, barrier-free tolling while strengthening transparency and efficiency in technology-driven toll collection mechanisms. Overall, the amendments aim to reinforce user fee collection, reduce toll evasion, and ensure sustainable funding for the development, operation, and maintenance of India’s National Highway infrastructure without disrupting the broader vehicle regulatory framework.
- The revised framework amends the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, and creates a direct dependency between the settlement of unpaid toll fees and access to key transport services.
- Vehicle owners with outstanding toll dues will no longer be eligible to receive No Objection Certificates required for ownership transfer or interstate movement of vehicles.
A key feature of the Central Motor Vehicles (Second Amendment) Rules 2026 is the formal definition of “unpaid user fee.” This term refers to toll charges captured by Electronic Toll Collection systems for vehicle movement on National Highway stretches where payment has not been completed in line with the National Highways Act, 1956.
- Vehicle fitness compliance has also been brought within the scope of toll enforcement.
Renewal of the Certificate of Fitness will now be permitted only after all pending toll-related dues are cleared, ensuring that roadworthiness certification aligns with payment compliance across the highway network.
- Commercial transport operators are equally impacted by the amendments.
Vehicles applying for National Permits must now confirm that no unpaid user fee is pending against them, making toll clearance a prerequisite for long-distance and interstate commercial operations.
Documentation processes have been updated to support these changes. Form 28, used for applying for No Objection Certificates, has been revised to mandate disclosure of any outstanding toll plaza demands. The form will also be enabled for electronic issuance through designated digital portals, supporting faster and more transparent processing.
The regulatory changes follow an extended consultative process. Draft rules were issued through a Gazette Notification on July 11, 2025, with stakeholder and public feedback invited after draft copies were made available on July 14, 2025. The final notification reflects inputs received during this consultation phase.
- Officials have indicated that the Central Motor Vehicles (Second Amendment) Rules 2026 will support the rollout of the Multi-Lane Free Flow tolling system.
The approach is expected to enable seamless, barrier-free tolling while strengthening transparency and efficiency in technology-driven toll collection mechanisms. Overall, the amendments aim to reinforce user fee collection, reduce toll evasion, and ensure sustainable funding for the development, operation, and maintenance of India’s National Highway infrastructure without disrupting the broader vehicle regulatory framework.
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