What’s inside:
The Bihar government has made it easier for vehicle owners to change their vehicle categories, along with stricter rules for commercial use of private vehicles.
The Bihar government has announced an important change for vehicle owners. They have simplified the process of changing private vehicles to commercial ones and vice versa. This means that if you own a vehicle, you can now switch its category based on your needs.
Transport Minister Shravan Kumar shared that to make this change, vehicle owners first need to get a ‘Fitness Certificate’ for their vehicle. They also need to pay any difference in tax if the new category has a higher tax rate than the old one.
Another significant change is that the District Transport Officer (DTO) now has the authority to approve the conversion of small and light commercial vehicles to private vehicles. This is a big shift from the previous rule that required approval from the District Magistrate, which often made the process longer.
The government has also taken a tough stance against using private vehicles for commercial purposes by government departments. They have instructed all departments to only use vehicles that are commercially registered and to ensure they have the proper number plates.
To enforce these new rules, heavy fines and possible jail time will be imposed for those found using private vehicles for commercial activities. First-time offenders may face a fine of ₹5,000 or up to three months in jail, while repeat offenders could be fined ₹10,000 and face up to one year in jail.
Summary:
- Bihar government has simplified vehicle category changes.
- Owners need a Fitness Certificate and may pay additional tax.
- DTO can now approve vehicle category changes without DM’s approval.
- Government departments must use commercially registered vehicles.
- Strict penalties for using private vehicles for commercial purposes.
