Thiruvananthapuram: After the state government sharply increased road tax for old vehicles, the central government is set to raise the fitness testing fee of these vehicles. While the state hiked the tax by 50 per cent, the Centre is planning to increase the testing fee by up to eight times, making it more expensive for vehicle owners to retain older vehicles.

The proposed fees include ₹1,000 for two-wheelers older than 15 years, ₹2,500 for three-wheelers, and ₹5,000 for cars. The charges will double as the vehicle ages. Currently, the fee is ₹300 for two-wheelers and ₹600 for cars. Small cars like the Alto, Maruti 800, and Nano will cost around ₹14,600, including the increased state tax and fitness test fee, apart from maintenance expenses.

Private vehicles require inspection after 15 years and every five years thereafter, while tourist and taxi vehicles must undergo inspections at regular intervals. Currently, vehicle inspectors conduct these inspections, and the state government collects the fees. However, the Centre has proposed an automated vehicle inspection system.

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Although the law for this system was enacted in 2021, its implementation has been repeatedly delayed. As per the revised notification, testing centres must be operational by April 2025.

If states do not establish centres independently, the centre has decided to allow private players to set them up. The state government has already invited tenders to upgrade nine existing testing centres and establish 19 new ones. The Centre has also published a draft of the proposed fee structure for vehicle inspection centres.