vehicle driving license registration
Representative image.

The Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) on Sunday has extended the validity of vehicular documents like driving licenses, registration certificates and permits till March 31, 2021 due to Covid19 pandemic.

The ministry on Sunday issued a directory to the states and Union territory administrations in this regard.

Also read: Validity of driving licenses, vehicle documents extended till Dec 30

Earlier, the ministry issued advisories on March 30, June 9 and August 24, 2020 regarding the extension of validity of documents related to the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 and Central Motor Vehicle Rules, 1989.

Earlier, it was advised that the validity of fitness, permit (all types), license, registration or any other concerned document(s) may be treated to be valid till December 31, 2020.

The advisory says, “Taking into consideration the need to prevent the spread of COVID-19, it is further advised that the validity of all of the above-referred documents may be treated to be valid till 31st March 2021.”

“This covers all documents whose validity has expired since 1st Feb, 2020 or would expire by 31st March 2021.”

It adds, “Enforcement authorities are advised to treat such documents valid till 31st of March 2021. This will help out citizens in availing transport related services, while maintaining social distancing.”

All the states and Union territories, the Union ministry said, have been requested to implement the advisory in letter and spirit so that the citizens, the transporters and various other organizations which are operating under this difficult time during Covid pandemic may not get harassed or face difficulties.