New Delhi: The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has issued the National Highways Fee (Determination of Rates and Collection) Fourth Amendment Rules, 2026, aimed at tightening enforcement against overloaded vehicles and ensuring a more scientific and uniform fee structure across national highways.
The new rules will come into effect from April 15, 2026.
Objective: Stronger Enforcement and Road Safety
The amended framework is designed to:
- Improve compliance with permissible vehicle load limits
- Reduce damage to highway infrastructure
- Enhance road safety standards
- Ensure transparent and rational fee collection
The revised rules introduce a structured penalty system based on the extent of overloading.
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New Overloading Fee Structure
Under the updated Rule 10, vehicles carrying excess weight will be charged as follows:
- Up to 10% excess load: No penalty fee
- 10% to 40% excess load: Charged at 2x base toll rate
- Above 40% excess load: Charged at 4x base toll rate
This tiered system aims to discourage excessive overloading while maintaining fairness in enforcement.
Mandatory Use of Weighing and Digital Systems
The notification also strengthens monitoring and digital enforcement mechanisms:
Scientific Weighment
- Overloading will be determined using certified weigh-in-motion (WIM) systems installed at toll plazas
FASTag-Only Payments
- All overload fees must be collected through FASTag-based digital payment systems
No Weighment, No Penalty
- If no valid weighing facility is available at a toll plaza, no overload fee will be charged
Integration with National Vehicle Database
To improve monitoring and compliance:
- All overloaded vehicle data will be recorded in the VAHAN national vehicle registry
- Non-compliance cases will be systematically tracked for enforcement actions
FASTag Compliance Rules
The amended rules also reinforce existing toll regulations:
- Vehicles without a valid FASTag will continue to face applicable penalties
- Enforcement will remain aligned with existing National Highway toll policies
Applicability and Exceptions
The rules will apply uniformly across national highways, with limited exceptions:
- Certain private investment highway projects completed before the amendment may be exempt
- However, adoption is possible if concessionaires agree to implement the revised system
Why the Reform Matters
The new framework is expected to:
- Reduce structural damage caused by overloaded trucks
- Improve traffic efficiency on highways
- Increase transparency in toll collection
- Promote safer freight movement across India
About MoRTH
Ministry of Road Transport and Highways is responsible for the development, regulation, and maintenance of India’s road transport infrastructure. It plays a key role in national highway expansion, road safety initiatives, and transportation policy reforms across the country.
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