Coming soon: No NOC for RC, insurance renewal without paying toll dues

NEW DELHI: Those with pending toll dues for use of National Highways (NHs) will soon not be able to get a no-objection certificate (NOC) for renewal of registration and insurance, change of ownership, transfer and issuance of fitness certificate. The road transport ministry has issued a draft notification to introduce this change in Motor Vehicle Rules, to boost digital collection of toll fees and ensure that no one gets a free ride on tolled highways.

The move gains further importance in light of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) going for multi lane free flow (MLFF) on NH stretches for tolling purposes, with there being no physical barrier to stop vehicles for collection of user fee.

The draft notification proposes that the registration authorities “shall not grant request” for depositing motor vehicle tax or recording transfer of ownership in certificate of registration if “unpaid user fee” is reflected against the vehicle in question. The proposed change in rules also says that in case a vehicle crosses a tolling point after being electronically recorded but the toll charge is not paid, either because of the vehicle not having an affixed valid FASTag or on account of a pending challan, it will be reflected as unpaid user fee in the system.

Officials said that vehicle owners would be allowed to avail the vehicle- and transport-related services only after they clear the toll dues.

Earlier, NHAI had urged the road transport ministry to make changes in the Vahan system, which is the repository for all registered vehicles, to recover unpaid toll from vehicles with no FASTag or faulty/blacklisted tags.