The validity of crucial documents like driving licence, vehicle registration, and fitness certificates that have expired since February 1 and could not be extended owing to the coronavirus pandemic, has been extended until March 31, 2021, the Union ministry of road transport and highways (MoRTH) said.

A statement by the ministry said, "The Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has extended the validity of vehicular documents like DLs, RCs, permits etc till March 31, 2021 in the light of need to prevent spread of COVID-19. Ministry has today issued a directory to the states and Union Territory administrations in the regard".

In respect of the extension of validity of documents associated with Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 and Central Motor Vehicle Rules, 1989, the ministry of road transport and highways (MoRTH) earlier came up with advisories on March 30, 2020, June 9, 2020 and August 24, 2020.

This has been done to help citizens use their private modes of transportation while maintaining social distancing, said the MoRTH. “This will help out citizens in availing transport-related services while maintaining social distancing,” the circular released by the Press Information Bureau said. Keeping in mind the long queues for licence renewal that would violate social distancing norms, and the lockdowns and curfews that are still in force in different parts of the country, the decision of extending the deadline was taken by the Union ministry.

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