Validity of DLs, documents linked to MV Act extended

Considering the problems being faced by people amid lockdown, the government has announced to extend till June end the validity of all driving licences and other documents related to Motor Vehicle Act expiring on February 1 and June 30.

Ministry of Road Transport and Highways in an order issued on Monday made the declaration in view of closure of government transport offices due to the nationwide lockdown imposed to contain the spread of novel coronavirus or COVID-19 disease which so far claimed 47 lives and 1,417 confirmed cases.

The Ministry said that the decision was taken as the government noticed that people have been facing problems in renewal of validity of various documents related to Motor Vehicle Act, 1988 and Central Motor Vehicle Rules, 1989 due to complete lockdown."It is advised that the validity of fitness, permit (all types), driving license, registration or any other concerned documents whose extension of validity could not or not likely be processed due to lockdown and which have expired since February 1, 2020 or would expire by June 30, 2020. The same may by treated to be valid till June 30, 2020," the order said.

Enforcement authorities are advised to treat such documents valid till June 30. The Ministry said that the order will comply with the Motor Vehicle Act, 1988 and Central Motor Vehicle Rules, 1989. 'Non-use clause facility' for transport vehicles for suspensions of tax liability, which is operational in a number of states and the facility is being provided by the NIC on the VAHAN platform online, may be adopted by the other states to give relief to the commercial vehicles like taxi, bus and other vehicles which are non-operational under the current circumstances, the order mentioned.

The Ministry has requested all the states and the Union Territories to implement this advisory in "letter and spirit" so that the people, the transporters and various other organisations, which are rendering essential services at this difficult time, may not get harassed and face difficulties amidst national lockdown.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 24 announced the complete lockdown across the country since midnight on the same day announcing for a three week lockdown to maintain social distancing to break the chain of infection from the deadly virus. The lockdown will continue till April 14.