The Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has notified on August 24, 2020 that the validity of all motor vehicle documents such as fitness, permits, licenses, registration papers, etc., under the provisions of Motor Vehicle Act, 1988 along with Central Motor Vehicle Rules, 1989 have been further extended by the Ministry until December 31, 20201.

The Central Government vide its previous orders dated March 30, 20203 and June 09, 2020 respectively extended the validity of motor vehicle documents till September 30, 2020. This is the third extension that the Ministry has passed in the last 6 months, due to the coronavirus crisis. However, examining the current situation, the Ministry believes that a third extension for the same is required for the easement of citizens and their vehicles.

The Ministry has stated in its press release that:

"Taking into consideration the situation still continuing due to conditions for prevention of spread of COVID-19 across the country, it has further advised that the validity of the above referred documents whose extension of validity could not or not likely to be granted due to lock-down and which had expired on February 1, 2020 or would expire by December 31, 2020, the same may be treated to be valid till December 31, 2020."

The aforesaid move by the Central Government will certainly help the general public and also help in prohibiting the spread of the virus.

Also read Relaxation to renew heath and motor vehicle insurance amid COVID-19

Footnotes

1 https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=1648182

3 https://www.ssrana.in/articles/novel-coronavirus-covid-19-outbreak-ministry-of-road-and-transports-issued-advisory-extending-the-validity-of-documents-related-to-motor-vehicles-act-1988-and-central-motor-vehicle-rules-1989/

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