Thiruvananthapuram: The ‘Vahan’ software has increased the fitness fee for heavy vehicles without the knowledge of the Motor Vehicles Department. Earlier, a fitness test for vehicles like lorries and buses cost ₹800 as a fee and ₹220 as a service charge, totaling ₹1,020.

Unexpectedly, the software began charging an additional ₹250 as a penalty, even for vehicles whose validity had not expired. The government, which has the authority to approve fee hikes, did not authorize this increase. It is believed that the issue is due to a software error.

The excess amount paid by vehicle owners will not be refunded. The website is under the control of the central government, and changes made at the request of other states often affect services in Kerala as well.