Thiruvananthapuram: In a major relief for vehicle owners, the Kerala government has brought into effect a sharp reduction in vehicle fitness test fees, slashing charges by up to 50 per cent across multiple categories. Transport Minister K B Ganesh Kumar said the decision was taken using the state government’s discretionary powers.
The revised fee structure will apply to all vehicles older than 15 years presented for fitness tests from the 17th onwards, as well as to medium and heavy transport vehicles aged between 10 and 15 years. The minister added that the necessary software upgrades to implement the new rates would be completed shortly.
Under the revised rates, the fitness test fee for cars has been reduced from ₹8,500 to ₹4,750, while two-wheelers older than 15 years will now be charged ₹1,000 instead of ₹1,500. Heavy vehicles older than 20 years, for which the Centre had fixed a fee of ₹28,000, will now be charged ₹14,000 in Kerala. For heavy vehicles aged 15–20 years, the fee has been halved from ₹14,000 to ₹7,000.
Light goods vehicles and passenger vehicles have also seen significant relief. Vehicles aged 15–20 years will be charged ₹6,000, while those older than 20 years will pay ₹11,300, compared to the Centre’s earlier rates of ₹11,300 and ₹22,600 respectively.
The move is expected to ease the financial burden on vehicle owners while ensuring continued compliance with fitness regulations across the state.
