MoRTH aims to make vehicle registration process hassle-free, proposes a change in the law.
In a bid to preserve and promote the vintage cars and two-wheelers in India, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has proposed an amendment in the Central Motor Vehicle Rules (CMVR) 1989, which aims to formalise the vintage vehicle registration. The ministry has issued a notification on 25th November 2020, seeking comments and suggestions from the stakeholders.
As per the MoRTH notification, there are no existing rules for regulating the vehicle registration process that has heritage value. “Through this notification, the Ministry intends to formalise the registration process of the vintage motor vehicles,” says the notification.
The MoRTH has proposed to insert the new set of rules as sub-rules 81A, 81B, 81C, 81D, 81E, 81F, 81G in the CMVR 1989.
MoRTH’s notification also says that the vintage vehicles will be allowed to ply on Indian roads only for display, technical research or taking part in a vintage car rally, refuelling and maintenance, exhibitions, vintage rallies etc.
MoRTH definition for vintage vehicles
According to the ministry, vintage vehicles are those vehicles which are four-wheelers and two-wheelers for non-commercial and personal use and are more than 50 years old from the date of their first registration. These rules apply to imported vehicles as well. However, in case, such vintage vehicles have gone through modification in chassis or body shell or engine, will not be considered as vintage vehicles.
Procedure to register vintage vehicles
- The vintage vehicle registration applications have to be applied on ‘Parivahan’ portal.
- The vehicle registration authority in all the states across India will appoint a nodal officer to process the vintage vehicle registration applications.
- The state governments will form a committee to inspect a vehicle and declare that fit for registration as a vintage vehicle.
- A 10-digit alphanumeric code will be assigned to the vintage vehicles by the state registering authority and it will be valid for 10 years.
- The 10-digit alphanumeric code’s format will be like XX VA YY ****, where XX stands for state code, VA stands for vintage, YY will be a two-letter series and **** will be a number between 0001 and 9999.
- The vintage vehicle registration fees will be Rs 20,000 for a single vehicle and Rs 5,000 for subsequent re-registration.
- There will be a clause allowing sale and purchase of the vintage vehicles under the amended law.
Vehicle ownership transfer in case of death to be hassle-free
The MoRTH has also proposed the changes in the law to make the transfer of vehicle ownership hassle-free in of death of the owner. As per the MoRTH proposal, the CMVR will allow the owner of the vehicle to put the name of the family member as nominee while applying for vehicle registration. He or she can also add the names online at a later stage.
According to the ministry, this amendment will bring huge relief to the family members o the owner, especially in case of his or her death. As per the draft rule, in case of death of the owner, the nominee will have to inform the registering authority in the state of his or her residence or place of business through the online portal to get a fresh electronic registration certificate in his or her name.
Presently, in case of death of the registered owner, his or her family members need to get the vehicle’s ownership transferred within three months and complying with procedures. This often results in frequent visits to different government offices leading to the harassments of the consumers. The proposed move is claimed to be improving the ease of living and bring transparency.
According to experts, this is going to be a big reform and will end the hassle the vehicle owners face, especially in cases where the registered owners pass away. In the case of commercial vehicles, even the permits get cancelled causing a lot of hardship for families dependent on the operation of the vehicle.
Also Read: New motor vehicle rules are in force from October 1: All you need to know
