Govt Notifies New Rules for Overloaded Vehicles on National Highways, Effective April 15

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has notified the National Highways Fee (Determination of Rates and Collection) Fourth Amendment Rules, 2026, introducing a revised framework for fee collection on overloaded vehicles across national highways.

The amended rules, effective from April 15, 2026, focus on stricter enforcement of permissible Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) limits to enhance road safety and protect highway infrastructure.

Under the new framework, vehicles carrying loads beyond permissible limits will be charged based on the degree of overloading, with higher penalties for greater excess weight. Overloading will be determined using certified weighment systems installed at toll plazas, ensuring accuracy and transparency in enforcement.

The rules mandate digital collection of overload fees through FASTag and require reporting of violations to the VAHAN system for monitoring and compliance.

The amendment is expected to improve adherence to load norms, reduce damage to road infrastructure, and enable more efficient and safer movement of freight across the national highway network.