Indian authorities are being told to accept digital versions of vehicle documents, finally

• The Centre announced on Wednesday that it wants to amend the country’s Motor Vehicle Rules.
  
• The amendment will make it compulsory for authorities to accept digital versions of all vehicle documents.
  
• It also makes fitness test rules easier for new and old vehicles.
  
  

It’s hard to believe that authorities in India do not accept digital versions of motor vehicle documents right now, given the country’s digital drive in recent years. However, this is set to change, as the Centre, on Wednesday, announced that it is set to amend the country’s Motor Vehicle Rules to make it compulsory for the authorities to accept digital versions of all vehicle documents.

The documents include the Pollution Under Control certificate, insurance documents, the Registration Certificate (RC) and Driver’s Licence, which will be stored in an online locker called DigiLocker. It is an initiative under the Indian government’s Digital India programme. The digital documents can also be used at airports as valid identity documents. The road ministry is expected to issue an advisory in about two days.

Back in 2016, the Telangana government had rolled out a similar state policy with the help of a digital locker named M-Wallet. However, some state transport authorities and traffic police had refused to accept the digital versions. However, once the Motor Vehicle Rules are updated, it will be mandatory for them to accept these.

The draft also puts out a rule to do away with mandatory norm of two drivers in long-haul vehicles. The ministry has proposed mandatory installation of FASTags, fixing reflective tapes and a vehicle tracking system in all National Permit vehicles.

Other than the provisions mentioned above, the Centre is also looking to make things easier for commercial vehicles. You can check out their entire guidelines here.