Centre plans to scrap age from vehicle scrappage policy

The central government is contemplating changes that would prioritise vehicle emissions over age in a potential shift from the current vehicle scrappage policy. This move aims to address concerns from vehicle owners who maintain their cars meticulously but face mandatory scrapping after 15 years, regardless of their condition.

Speaking at the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) annual convention, Anurag Jain, Secretary of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, highlighted the issue. "When you introduce a policy that requires scrapping vehicles after 15 years, people question why they have to scrap their well-maintained vehicles. You can't simply mandate that," Mr. Jain said.

The government is now evaluating the scrappage policy with a focus on pollution levels rather than the age of the vehicle. Mr. Jain emphasised that the aim is to create a system where pollution levels, rather than vehicle age, determine the need for scrapping. "We are working on a policy that focuses solely on pollution," he added.

He also called on the automobile industry to contribute to designing a reliable pollution testing system. He pointed out the current issues with the trustworthiness of pollution certificates and stressed the need for improvements. Despite these challenges, Mr. Jain acknowledged the industry’s support for the existing scrappage policy, which offers discounts of up to 3 per cent on new vehicle purchases when old vehicles are scrapped.

Current rules and regulations

Under the Motor Vehicle Act of 1988, all vehicles must have a valid Certificate of Registration (RC) to be legally driven on public roads. The RC, issued by the Regional Transport Office (RTO), is valid for 15 years from the date of issue. After this period, vehicle owners must renew the registration, ideally 60 days before it expires. Renewal is granted for a further five years, contingent on the vehicle passing a fitness test.
Driving with an expired registration can lead to penalties or legal issues. Additionally, specific rules regarding older vehicles may vary by state, as detailed by Parivahan Sewa, a government portal for digital transport services.