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Vehicle tracking systems, FASTags mandatory for CVs obtaining N/P

New Delhi: With the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) notified draft amendments to the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, it has become mandatory for all commercial vehicles obtaining national permit to have FASTags and vehicle tracking system device.

As per the changed rules, the front windscreen of the vehicle would have to be affixed with a sticker confirming fitting of the Fastag. The draft rule also does away with the need to get a fitness certificate at the time of registration of a new vehicle.

The notification has also said that the words "National Permit or N/P" shall be inscribed in the front and rear of the vehicles in bold letters. In case of trailers, the words "N/P" shall be inscribed on the rear and left side of the vehicle. The ministry has sought public views on the draft rules.

"No fitness certification shall be required at the time of registration for new transport vehicle sold as fully built vehicle and such vehicle shall be deemed to be having a certificate of fitness for a period of two years from the date of registration," it said.

According to draft rule, in case of a tanker carrying dangerous or hazardous goods shall be painted in white colour and shall display the class label, on both the sides and rear of the tanker.

A FASTag is a device that employs radio frequency identification (RFID) technology for making toll payments directly from the prepaid or savings account linked to it. It is affixed on the windscreen of the vehicle and enables the commuter to drive through toll plazas, without stopping for cash transactions.

The draft rules say vehicle shall be affixed with reflective tapes at front and rear as a prescribed norm.

The proposed amendment also provides that the option of carrying driving license and pollution under control certificates either in physical or digital form. However, there is mention of digitalisation of registration certificate of vehicles in the proposed amended norms.

The draft rules talk tough on goods vehicles. As per the new norms, all goods carriage vehicles will be required to carry goods in a closed body of the vehicle or container.

"If it is necessary to carry goods in open bodies, goods will be covered by using appropriate covers like tarpaulin or any other suitable material. However, goods of indivisible nature, not capable of being carried in a closed body or being covered, may be carried without cover," the draft rules said.

The Ministry has also proposed that in Rule 139, after the words driving licence and the words certificate for pollution under check in physical or electronic forms shall be inserted. The Ministry has invited suggestions and objections to the proposed amendments till August 11.

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