The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways on 25th September 2021 has approved the rules for recognition, regulation and control of Automated Testing Stations under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, which would make fitness testing easier for customers.
These rules take into account the vehicle safety and emission requirements, global best practices. These have been incorporated them according to the vehicles and systems in place in India.
The Automated Testing Station (ATS) may be owned or operated by a person including any individual or company or association or body of individuals or special purpose vehicle or State Government. A Single window clearance system to be provided for pre-registration/registration of the ATS. The registering authority shall not below the rank of the Transport Commissioner of the State.
The appointment for fitness test at an Automated Testing Station shall done through an online portal developed by Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH). All automatic and manual data, along with the results of the tests performed on the vehicle will be automatically transmitted to a central unit. All results will be masked on the test lane and test data to be encrypted. The test report will be generated automatically after completion of all tests and shall be sent to the registered owner/ authorised signatory of the vehicle through electronic mode.
The Audit of ATSs set up under these rules shall be conducted by National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) accredited agencies every six months. The cost of such audit shall be borne by the operator of such station. Under exceptional circumstances, which are adequately recorded, surprise audit may also be conducted.
