In order to strengthen compliance towards user fee payment at the toll plazas on National Highways, the Government of India has notified the ‘Central Motor Vehicles (Second Amendment) Rules, 2026’, introducing key changes to the ‘Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989’. These amendments are aimed at improving user fee compliance, enhancing efficiency of Electronic Toll Collection and discouraging user fee evasion on National Highways.

Under the amended rules, a new definition of ‘unpaid user fee’ has been introduced and it refers to the user fee payable for the use of a National Highway section, where Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) system has recorded the vehicle’s passage, but the applicable fee has not been received in accordance with the National Highways Act, 1956.

The amendments link the clearance of unpaid National Highway user fee with vehicle-related services. As per the provisions, a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for transfer of ownership or transfer of a vehicle from one State to another shall not be granted until any unpaid user fee is cleared. In addition, renewal or generation of a Certificate of Fitness for vehicles will not be permitted unless outstanding user fee dues have been paid. For commercial vehicles seeking a National Permit, the amended rules make it mandatory that the vehicle must not have any unpaid user fee.

Corresponding changes have also been made to ‘Form 28’ which now requires applicants to disclose whether any demand for an unpaid user fee at a toll plaza is pending against the vehicle, along with relevant details. Promoting digital processes, the rules also enable the electronic issuance of relevant portions of ‘Form 28’ through the designated online portal. ‘Form 28’ is application for a No Objection Certificate (NOC), a key document required for transferring vehicle ownership to another state or district confirming the vehicle has no pending taxes, challans, or legal issues. These Amendments will also help in user fee collection after the implementation of the Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) system, that will enable barrier less tolling on the National Highway network.

The amendments have been issued following publication of draft rules on 11^th July 2025 vide a Gazette Notification, which invited suggestions from stakeholders and the general public. Copies of the draft notification were made available to the public on 14^th July 2025. After careful consideration of the feedback received, the Government of India has finalized and notified the amended rules.

These amendments will help NHAI in fostering transparent and technology-driven tolling systems for sustained development and maintenance of the National Highway network across the country.

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GDH/SJ