Transporters who travel across different Indian states need to avail of a national permit from the appropriate authority to commence their operations legally. The fees are however different depending on the vehicle type. In this article, we’ll learn about the online registration process.
Overview
Transportation of commodities across different states takes place regularly. However, maintaining legal compliance while executing such tasks calls for adherence to some regulations by the National Government. You Can Know more about National Permit in this Blog.
The National permit, also called the All India Permit, embodies a form of registration specifically extended to transport chain operators for supplying goods across India. The individual state transport departments are responsible for authorizing vehicles to ply throughout the geographical landmass of the country.
When issued in a particular state, a NP permit allows the free flow of goods carriage in that state along with at least four states or union territories. This article will focus on steps on how a lorry can be registered online in India for a national permit. Before you proceed with your legal goods carriage journey, you must pay the required charges to attain the rights. To follow the steps, you must open the Vahan portal – a digital service offered by the Indian Ministry of Transportation.
What is a National Permit?
A national permit is a permit issued to goods vehicles to enable them to travel outside their home state in India. NP permits are issued for a minimum of four continuous states (including the home state) under Rules 86 & 87 of Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989.
To obtain such permits, the maximum age of a particular vehicle should not exceed 12 years, and the applicant has to apply on Forms 46 and 48 along with other formalities.
Requirement to Obtain an Online National Permit
The process of obtaining a national permit is digitalized by the Indian Ministry of Road Transportation, where the regulatory body captures selected vehicle information that needs to be envisaged for national security purposes.
To get hold of an All NP Permit, a vehicle owner has to apply by visiting the Vahan portal. Following the subsequent steps, a request is forwarded to a particular Regional Transport Department. Many state authorities have set an age barrier for lorries beyond which the concerned vehicle owner cannot seek transportation approval. National Permit is not extended to heavy goods vehicles that have already crossed twelve years since their initial registration.
What is Eligibility Criteria for National Permit?
The eligibility criteria for obtaining a National Permit in India are as follows:
- The vehicle should be registered and insured.
- The vehicle should be fit to carry goods across.
- The maximum age of a goods vehicle should not exceed 12 years.
- The maximum age of a multi-axle vehicle should not exceed 15 years
To apply for a National Permit, the applicant has to fill out Forms 46 and 48 along with other formalities. The NP Permit is issued for a minimum of four continuous states (including the home state) under Rules 86 & 87 of Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989.
It is important to note that the eligibility criteria for a National Permit may vary depending on the state and type of vehicle, so it is recommended to check with the respective Regional Transport Authority or State Transport Authority for the most up-to-date information
Documents Needed to Avail National Permit Online
A set of legal papers must be produced to secure a NP permit. The generalized list has been presented below for your reference:
- The concerned vehicle’s registration certificate was issued by RTO
- Vehicle’s fitness declaration
- Insurance policy of the vehicle
- Invoice of tax payment for the present quarter stating the recipient’s home state
- Proof of green tax payment (if applicable)
- Prescribed fee for All India Permit
- Documents are needed to support the remittance of composite taxes paid to other states. These include demand drafts issued to the regulatory bodies of separate regions.
Online Application Process
While applying for the national permit, you must fill out both Forms 48 and 46 that accompany the e-registration form. A prescribed fee is associated with these two forms issued by the Regional Road Transport Department of the authorizing state.
Once the vehicle owner has paid the permission amount and submitted the online application form, the state’s transport department will upload selective information on the official website of the NP permit – the Vahan. This website’s data is restricted to limited personnel working in designated transport authorities. Transporters are not allowed to view such information.
In the following section, we have jotted down the virtual application process in simple steps:
- To apply online, the transporter must possess an active registration certificate issued against his goods carriage vehicle. Also, a regular user accessing the government service portal is eligible to apply online.
- When dealing with a new vehicle, you need to attach the vehicle’s scanned copy of the registration certificate showcasing the transporter’s identity details. The online application request must also include the transporter’s driving license.
Before January 2014, all these procedures had to be executed in Regional Transport Ministry’s Office. Still, now the necessary details can be duly updated from literally anywhere. Upon successful authorization, the transport regulatory council uploads information about the vehicle owner and transporter on the official website extending services related to a national permit – Vahan. These databases are protected and are handled by specific transportation authorities only.
National Permit Payment
As discussed, this article explains the processes related to acquiring a NP permit for trucks or lorries operating across India. In this regard, let us grab an idea of the amounts fixed by the government on obtaining an All India Permit.
There are three ways of fetching a national permit
- Temporary permit (valid for one week)
- Temporary permit (valid for four months)
- Permanent permit (valid for five years)
Each category of the NP permit fee is generally broken down into four components – the base national permit fees, application charges, composite and authorization fees. For a one-week NP permit grant, the transporter must pay a ₹50 permit fee to the respective State Regional Transport Authority, a ₹1000 authorization fee, and ₹16,500 composite fees, respectively. In this case, the application form costs only ₹ 50.
Please note that the composite fee amount remains unchanged for the following two categories as well, that is, ₹16,500 for both five-year permits and four-month permits. The application fee is ₹50, irrespective of the duration chosen by the applicant. For a four-month permit, the base permit fee charged happens to be ₹240 in comparison to ₹2000, which is charged for an approval sought for a tenure of five years. This can also be done through npermit online pay.
If we calculate the gross amount, then the cumulative cost for obtaining the npermit is given below:
- National Permit type Prescribed fee (in ₹)
- Temporary permit (valid for one week) 17,600
- Temporary permit (valid for four months) 17,790
- Permanent permit 19,550
National Permit Fees Online Payment
To pay the National Permit fees online in India, you can visit the official website of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Parivahan, at https://vahan.parivahan.gov.in/npermit/faces/np/jsp/nationalpermit.jsp
On this website, you can pay the National Permit Composite Fee for operating throughout the territory of India. You will need to enter your vehicle’s registration number and chassis number to proceed with the payment.
The fees for a National Permit or All India Permit vary depending on the type of vehicle and the number of states in which it will operate.
Section 88 of Motor Vehicle Act
A National Permit and a permit issued by a State Regional Transport Authority (RTO) for goods carriage are covered by section 88 of the Motor Vehicle Act.
Definition of National Permit under Section 88 of Motor Vehicle Act
A National Permit, as defined by Section 88 of the Motor Vehicle Act, is a special authorisation for goods vehicles. Unlike regular permits restricted to a single state, a National Permit allows your commercial truck or van to operate across:
- The entire country (All of India): This option grants you the freedom to travel and conduct business anywhere within India.
- Multiple connected states (At least four): If your business needs to focus on a specific region, you can choose a National Permit valid in four or more neighbouring states, including your home state.
The specific states you choose are clearly listed on the permit itself, based on your application. This flexibility allows you to tailor the permit to your specific transportation needs.
Application of Motor Vehicle Act’s Section 88 on National Permit
Section 88 defines a few policies directing the course of goods transportation services in India. The appropriate regulatory council can approve npermit for long-distance inter-state transporters after considering the prohibitions stated in subsection 1 of the Act. In addition, subsection 14 defines the categories of tourist vehicles that can be granted permits as well, provided they fulfill the criteria jotted down in sections 73,74, and 80-86 of the highlighted Act.
How to Check the Validity of a National Permit?
The concerned transporter can verify his permit credentials by visiting Vahan’s online platform. To check the active status, you must include details like the registration number and the last five digits of the Chassis number. Then click on ‘verify’.
Conclusion
If an applicant wants to renew the national permit, he must place a request for the same at least 15 days before the expiry date. Npermit is issued under subsection (8) of the Motor Vehicle Act’s Section 8. To know more related information on road transport legislation, follow other blogs of Vakilsearch.
FAQs
Are there any restrictions or conditions associated with a National Permit?
Yes, there are restrictions and conditions associated with a National Permit. The vehicle should be registered and insured, fit to carry goods, and the maximum age of a goods vehicle should not exceed 12 years.
What are the penalties for operating a commercial vehicle without a valid National Permit?
The penalties for operating a commercial vehicle without a valid National Permit may vary depending on the state and type of vehicle. In general, the penalties can include fines, impounding of the vehicle, and legal action.
Is there a fee for applying for or renewing a National Permit online?
The fee for applying for or renewing a National Permit online may vary depending on the state and type of vehicle. It is recommended to check the official Parivahan website for the most up-to-date information.
How long does it take to obtain a National Permit after applying online?
The time taken to obtain a National Permit after applying online may vary depending on the state and type of vehicle.
Can I track the status of my National Permit application online?
Yes, you can track the status of your National Permit application online. The Parivahan website provides an option to track the status of your application using the application number or vehicle registration number.
