The Centre has linked key vehicle-related services, including ownership transfer and fitness certification, with the clearance of pending toll dues on National Highways.
Accordingly, the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways has notified the Central Motor Vehicles (Second Amendment) Rules, 2026 to strengthen compliance with user fee payments at toll plazas on National Highways.
The amendments introduce changes to the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989.
The amended rules now define “unpaid user fee” as the amount payable for the use of a National Highway section where the Electronic Toll Collection system has recorded the vehicle’s passage, but the applicable fee has not been received in accordance with the National Highways Act, 1956.
As per the provisions, a No Objection Certificate for transfer of ownership or transfer of a vehicle from one State to another will not be granted until any unpaid user fee is cleared.
In addition, renewal or issuance of a Certificate of Fitness for vehicles will not be permitted unless outstanding user fee dues have been paid.
Besides, for commercial vehicles seeking a National Permit, the amended rules make it mandatory that the vehicle must not have any unpaid user fee.
Apart from this, corresponding changes have been made to Form 28 (application for a No Objection Certificate). This application is required for transferring vehicle ownership to another State or district and confirms that the vehicle has no pending taxes, challans or legal issues.
Furthermore, the applicants are now required to disclose whether any demand for unpaid user fee at a toll plaza is pending against the vehicle, along with relevant details.
Additionally, the rules enable electronic issuance of relevant portions of Form 28 through the designated online portal.
The notification States that the amendments will apply to user fee collection after the implementation of the Multi-Lane Free Flow system, which will enable barrier-less tolling on the National Highway network.
