Not Paid Toll? Won’t Get NOC: Govt Links Vehicle Transfer, Fitness & Permits To Clearance Of Dues

Last Updated:January 20, 2026, 19:36 IST

MoRTH has announced Central Motor Vehicles (Second Amendment) Rules, 2026 to improve user fee compliance and enhance efficiency of toll collection systems

Under the amended rules, a new definition of ‘unpaid user fee’ has been introduced. (File for representation)

Skipping tolls on national highways (NH) may now land vehicle owners in a series of administrative roadblocks, with the government linking clearance of pending toll dues to key vehicle-related services such as ownership transfer, fitness renewal, and permits.

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways on Tuesday announced the notification of the Central Motor Vehicles (Second Amendment) Rules, 2026, introducing changes aimed at improving user fee compliance, enhancing the efficiency of Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) systems, and discouraging toll evasion on National Highways.

“As per the provisions, a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for transfer of ownership or transfer of a vehicle from one State to another will not be granted until any unpaid user fee is cleared. In addition, renewal or generation of a Certificate of Fitness for vehicles will not be permitted unless outstanding user fee dues have been paid. For commercial vehicles seeking a National Permit, the amended rules make it mandatory that the vehicle must not have any unpaid user fee," the Ministry said.

In July 2025, the Ministry issued draft rules and “only after careful consideration of the feedback received, the Government of India has finalised and notified the amended rules".

Under the amended rules, a new definition of ‘unpaid user fee’ has been introduced and it refers to the user fee payable for the use of a National Highway section, where Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) system has recorded the vehicle’s passage, but the applicable fee has not been received…," the Ministry said.

Corresponding changes have also been made to ‘Form 28’ – an application for a NOC – which now requires applicants to disclose whether any demand for an unpaid user fee at a toll plaza is pending against the vehicle, along with relevant details.

Promoting digital processes, the rules also enable the electronic issuance of relevant portions of ‘Form 28’ through the designated online portal.

‘Form 28’ is a key document required for transferring vehicle ownership to another state or district, confirming the vehicle has no pending taxes, challans, or legal issues. “These Amendments will also help in user fee collection after the implementation of the Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) system, that will enable barrierless tolling on the National Highway network," the Ministry said.

These changes will help NHAI move towards a transparent and technology-driven tolling system for sustained development and maintenance of the National Highway network across the country, the Ministry added.

Over the last few years, the Ministry has introduced a series of changes for more efficient toll collection on the national highways.

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