The validity of vehicle documents extends: Government has further extended the validity of documents related to motor vehicles such as license, registration, or fitness certificate to the end of September this year in view of the difficulties in renewal and extension of official documents during the lockdown phase creating a likely pendency. Official communication to this effect was made by the union road transport and highways ministry on Tuesday.

Following minister Nitin Gadkari’s announcement to this effect, an advisory has been issued to all states and Union Territories over the grant of extension to the validity date of motor vehicle documents till September this year, said an official release from the ministry.

In March, the government had that these documents would be valid until June 30. These documents include fitness, all types of permits, driving license, registration, or any other crucial document, the ministry said.

The step has been taken to mitigate the hardships of people in renewing the validity of crucial vehicle documents due to the nationwide lockdown in the country that led to the closure of government transport offices.

The order was released after the government shut down most government offices and non-essential services on March 25 in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak and ordered people to stay at home. While the lockdown provisions have been eased considerably, the government is granting people more time to get renewals done.


.Additionally, the ministry on 21st May this year had relaxed the fees validity and additional fee under Rule 32 or Rule 81 of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989 till 31st July 2020.

The official release says that states and UTs have also been requested to consider provisions available under the Motor Vehicles Act 1988 or other such provisions available under other acts for relaxation in requirement of a permit, or fees or taxes for renewal or penalty so that people could be provided relief during this difficult period of a pandemic outbreak.