Old Vehicle Owners Hit as Fitness Certificate and Renewal Fees Increase

Pune, 27th November 2025: The Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has increased fees for vehicle fitness certificates, registration renewals, and Green Tax for older vehicles. The revision is expected to affect vehicle owners nationwide, who will now face significantly higher costs during the renewal process. Transport association leaders warn that the steep hike may lead to a decline in renewal applications and registrations, particularly for older vehicles.

The ministry has revised fees for vehicles older than 10 and 15 years as part of efforts to curb pollution. Authorities also cited the need for stricter fitness norms, made mandatory in response to a rise in road accidents.

Commenting on the sudden increase, Dr. Baba Shinde, president of the Goods and Passenger Transport Association, said, “Transporters had strongly opposed this hike. The Centre raised the charges without any discussion or prior written notification. The decision was abrupt and unexpected.”

He added that while the hike aims to discourage the use of older vehicles, it will make renewals unaffordable for many. “Old vehicles have minimal resale value. This move seems to favour only large capital owners,” he claimed.

Bapu Bhave, treasurer of the Rickshaw Federation, also criticised the decision. “The steep rise in renewal fees will impose a heavy financial burden on vehicle owners. With crores of vehicles across the country, the overall impact will run into thousands of crores. The government should have considered the economic situation of common vehicle owners,” he said.

Revised Fee Structure:
Two-wheelers: ₹600 (up to 15 years), ₹1,500 (15–20 years), ₹3,000 (above 20 years)

Four-wheelers: ₹800 (up to 15 years), ₹4,500 (15–20 years), ₹9,000 (above 20 years)

Heavy vehicles: ₹6,000 (15–20 years), ₹28,000 (above 20 years)