Quick Takeaways
- Commercial Vehicle Safety Regulations India mandate ADAS, AEB and ESC for trucks starting 2027.
- Government expands driver training network and cashless accident coverage up to Rs. 1.5 lakh.
Commercial Vehicle Safety Regulations India are set for a major overhaul as the government moves to mandate advanced driver assistance systems and enhanced braking technologies for medium and heavy-duty trucks. The new framework aims to reduce road fatalities, improve vehicle stability, and strengthen crash prevention capabilities across the freight transport sector. Announced by Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari in a written reply to the Lok Sabha on February 12, 2026, the phased rollout of these safety norms will begin in October 2027, signaling one of the most significant upgrades in heavy commercial vehicle safety norms in recent years.
A revised braking standard, IS 11852: 2019, will become compulsory for trucks from October 1, 2027. Earlier applicable mainly to buses produced by Original Equipment Manufacturers, the updated norm expands brake performance evaluation requirements to heavy commercial vehicles, ensuring more consistent stopping efficiency under varied load and road conditions.
Alongside braking upgrades, electronic stability control systems under AIS 162 will be mandatory from the same date. These systems enhance vehicle balance during sudden maneuvers or braking on curves, reducing rollover and skid risks in large trucks.
Advanced Emergency Braking Systems will also be required, enabling automatic intervention when a driver fails to react to an imminent collision. The advanced emergency braking system trucks mandate is designed to either prevent crashes entirely or significantly reduce impact severity.
Key safety technologies becoming mandatory from October 2027 include:
Together, these measures strengthen the ADAS mandate India is progressively implementing for the commercial vehicle segment.
From January 1, 2028, additional driver assistance systems will be compulsory for trucks under Commercial Vehicle Safety Regulations India. These technologies focus on protecting vulnerable road users and minimizing accidents linked to driver fatigue or inattention.
Blind Spot Information Systems (AIS 186) and Moving Off Information Systems (AIS 187) will be required to alert drivers about pedestrians, cyclists, or smaller vehicles around the truck. These features are particularly relevant in dense urban traffic environments.
Driver Drowsiness Detection and Alert Systems (AIS 184) and Lane Departure Warning Systems (AIS 188) will also be mandated from January 1, 2028. The driver drowsiness detection system AIS 184 aims to identify fatigue-related driving patterns, while lane departure warning system AIS 188 helps prevent unintended lane drift at highway speeds.
To further address fatigue, air conditioning in truck cabins has been mandated from October 1, 2025, improving driver comfort during long-haul operations.
Current regulations already require goods vehicles to pass cabin structural strength assessments. In addition, vehicles manufactured since April 1, 2020, must be equipped with:
These baseline measures, combined with the new ADAS mandate India is introducing, reflect a layered approach to truck safety that addresses both crash avoidance and impact mitigation.
To complement vehicle-level upgrades, the government is expanding its driver training ecosystem nationwide. Financial assistance has been increased to support Institutes of Driving Training & Research (IDTRs), Regional Driving Training Centres (RDTCs), and Driving Training Centres (DTCs). Funding provisions include Rs. 17.25 crore for IDTRs, Rs. 5.50 crore for RDTCs, and Rs. 2.50 crore for DTCs, strengthening driver skill development infrastructure.
In parallel, the Cashless Treatment for Road Accident Victims Scheme, 2025, notified in May 2025, provides treatment coverage of up to Rs. 1.5 lakh per victim for a maximum of seven days after an accident. The scheme enables stabilization treatment for 24 hours in non-life-threatening cases and 48 hours in critical cases at designated hospitals. It operates through the Motor Vehicle Accident Fund, supported by general insurance companies in insured cases and government budgetary support for uninsured vehicles, reinforcing the broader road safety net under Commercial Vehicle Safety Regulations India.
Upgraded Braking and Stability Under Commercial Vehicle Safety Regulations India
A revised braking standard, IS 11852: 2019, will become compulsory for trucks from October 1, 2027. Earlier applicable mainly to buses produced by Original Equipment Manufacturers, the updated norm expands brake performance evaluation requirements to heavy commercial vehicles, ensuring more consistent stopping efficiency under varied load and road conditions.
Alongside braking upgrades, electronic stability control systems under AIS 162 will be mandatory from the same date. These systems enhance vehicle balance during sudden maneuvers or braking on curves, reducing rollover and skid risks in large trucks.
Advanced Emergency Braking and ESC Integration
Advanced Emergency Braking Systems will also be required, enabling automatic intervention when a driver fails to react to an imminent collision. The advanced emergency braking system trucks mandate is designed to either prevent crashes entirely or significantly reduce impact severity.
Key safety technologies becoming mandatory from October 2027 include:
- Revised IS 11852: 2019 braking compliance
- Electronic Stability Control (AIS 162)
- Advanced Emergency Braking Systems
Together, these measures strengthen the ADAS mandate India is progressively implementing for the commercial vehicle segment.
Driver Assistance Technologies to Protect Road Users
From January 1, 2028, additional driver assistance systems will be compulsory for trucks under Commercial Vehicle Safety Regulations India. These technologies focus on protecting vulnerable road users and minimizing accidents linked to driver fatigue or inattention.
Blind Spot Information Systems (AIS 186) and Moving Off Information Systems (AIS 187) will be required to alert drivers about pedestrians, cyclists, or smaller vehicles around the truck. These features are particularly relevant in dense urban traffic environments.
Fatigue Monitoring and Lane Discipline Systems
Driver Drowsiness Detection and Alert Systems (AIS 184) and Lane Departure Warning Systems (AIS 188) will also be mandated from January 1, 2028. The driver drowsiness detection system AIS 184 aims to identify fatigue-related driving patterns, while lane departure warning system AIS 188 helps prevent unintended lane drift at highway speeds.
To further address fatigue, air conditioning in truck cabins has been mandated from October 1, 2025, improving driver comfort during long-haul operations.
Existing Safety Norms and Structural Requirements
Current regulations already require goods vehicles to pass cabin structural strength assessments. In addition, vehicles manufactured since April 1, 2020, must be equipped with:
- Reverse parking alert systems
- Reflective tapes for enhanced visibility
- Rear under-run protective devices
- Lateral under-run protective devices
These baseline measures, combined with the new ADAS mandate India is introducing, reflect a layered approach to truck safety that addresses both crash avoidance and impact mitigation.
Driver Training Expansion and Cashless Treatment Scheme 2025
To complement vehicle-level upgrades, the government is expanding its driver training ecosystem nationwide. Financial assistance has been increased to support Institutes of Driving Training & Research (IDTRs), Regional Driving Training Centres (RDTCs), and Driving Training Centres (DTCs). Funding provisions include Rs. 17.25 crore for IDTRs, Rs. 5.50 crore for RDTCs, and Rs. 2.50 crore for DTCs, strengthening driver skill development infrastructure.
In parallel, the Cashless Treatment for Road Accident Victims Scheme, 2025, notified in May 2025, provides treatment coverage of up to Rs. 1.5 lakh per victim for a maximum of seven days after an accident. The scheme enables stabilization treatment for 24 hours in non-life-threatening cases and 48 hours in critical cases at designated hospitals. It operates through the Motor Vehicle Accident Fund, supported by general insurance companies in insured cases and government budgetary support for uninsured vehicles, reinforcing the broader road safety net under Commercial Vehicle Safety Regulations India.
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