The government on Thursday, September 30 extended the validity of motor vehicle documents like driving licence, registration certificate and permits till October 31, 2021, in view of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) said it has asked the enforcement authorities to treat documents, including those related to fitness, permit (all types), driving licence and registration, as valid till October 31.
"Taking into consideration the grim situation still continuing due to condition for prevention of COVID-19 across the country, it is advised that the validity of all above referenced documents...whose extension of validity could not, or was not likely to be granted due to lockdown and which has expired since February 1, 2020 or would expire by October 31, 2021, the same may be treated as valid till October 31,2021," it said. This will help citizens in availing transport related services, it added.
The ministry said all the states and union territories are required to implement this advisory in letter and spirit so that citizens, transporters and various other organisations which are operating during this time do not face difficulties.
It had earlier issued advisories dated March 30, 2020, June 9, 2020, August 24, 2020, December 27, 2020, March 26, 2021 and June 17, 2021 in connection with extension of validity of documents related to the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, and Central Motor Vehicle Rules, 1989.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court on Thursday while rejecting a claim in theft of a car which had temporary registration, said that an insurance claim can be denied if a vehicle does not have valid registration. A bench headed by Justice U U Lalit said the claim of insurance amount be dismissed if there is a fundamental breach of the terms and conditions of the policy.
The observations were made during the hearing of an appeal filed by United India Insurance Co Ltd challenging an order of the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission which dismissed the company's revision petition that challenged the order of the Rajasthan State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, Circuit Bench at Bikaner.