Lately, there’s been a lot of confusion about whether 20-years-old vehicles are banned from driving on Pakistan’s motorways. Some people have said the ban is already in place, which has left many drivers unsure of what’s going on.
Let’s clear things up.
If you own an old car—don’t worry just yet. There is no official ban on 20-year-old vehicles on the motorway. Not at the moment.
What Did the Minister Actually Say?
The confusion started after a recent visit by Federal Minister for Communications, Abdul Aleem Khan, to the National Highways and Motorway Police (NHMP) Headquarters. During the visit, he talked about several ideas to make our roads safer. One of those ideas was to possibly ban cars older than 20 years from using the motorway—unless they pass new safety checks.
To be sure, we spoke to an NHMP official. They confirmed that the Minister only made a suggestion. The government has not started any ban yet. It’s still just being discussed.
So why are people talking about it so much?
It’s likely because many older vehicles on the road are not very safe. Some have worn-out tires, weak brakes, or other problems that could cause accidents. The Minister said that if older vehicles are to stay on the motorway, they should at least have proper tire certifications and meet basic safety rules.
While the idea of a vehicle age ban is still being considered, other changes have already started.
What Has Changed?
The government has now started a zero-tolerance policy on over-speeding and carrying extra weight (axle load violations). This means that if drivers break these rules, there won’t be any warnings—just straight-up penalties. FIRs (police cases) have already been filed in some cases, and the Minister says this is helping reduce accidents.
There’s more.
All commercial vehicles—like trucks and buses—must get updated fitness certificates within the next three months. The government also plans to offer special training for drivers to improve safety on the roads.
So, what does this all mean for you?
You can still drive your older car on the motorway right now—just make sure it’s safe and in good condition. But in the future, there might be new rules, especially if safety concerns continue.
