The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MORTH) recently introduced changes to the Central Motor Vehicles Rules 1989. These alterations introduce special regulations for vintage vehicles that are over half a century old.
Understanding Vintage Vehicles
Before proceeding, it’s essential to define what qualifies as a vintage vehicle according to new amendments. According to MORTH, all two and four-wheelers that are at least 50 years old and have been conserved in their original form qualify. Any vehicle that hasn’t undergone substantial overhauling can consider itself under the category of Vintage Motor Vehicles.
Regulating Vintage Vehicles
The revised rules bring with them some regulation changes. These vintage vehicles won’t be driven for regular or commercial purposes but will necessitate special registration. Notwithstanding this, owners retain the freedom to use their cars as they desire, be it for exhibitions or occasional rides.
New Registration Rules
The fresh set of rules has details on registration. For vehicles already registered, they can keep their initial Registration Mark. However, new registrations will occur under a unique VA (Vintage) series. Information related to registration is available on the Parivahan portal of the MORTH. The newly obtained certificate will hold its validity for ten years and can be renewed thereafter.
Selling and Purchasing Vintage Vehicles
Sales and purchases of vehicles registered as vintage will still be permissible under the new amendments. However, the buyer and the seller need to inform their respective State Transport Authorities about the transaction.
Vintage Vehicles and the Scrappage Policy
The new amendments ensure that vintage vehicles get insulation from the scrappage policy. If an owner possesses a vehicle older than 15 years but younger than 50 years, they can continue owning it by passing fitness tests every five years.
The Significance of New Amendments
Previously, there were no uniform rules for registering vintage vehicles across different states. This update aims to provide a hassle-free process for new registrations, thereby preserving and promoting India’s heritage of old vehicles.
