Sindh Bans 35-Year-Old Heavy Vehicles in Cities
KARACHI: The Sindh government has introduced sweeping new regulations for heavy commercial vehicles, including age caps and mandatory safety standards, in an effort to improve road safety and accountability.
According to amendments to the Sindh Motor Vehicle Rules, notified on Tuesday:
- Within cities, vehicles older than 35 years will no longer be permitted.
- Inter-city routes: Maximum permissible age set at 25 years.
- Inter-provincial routes: Vehicles over 20 years will not be granted permits.
Speaking to Dawn, Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon — who also heads the transport department — said the measures were aimed at safeguarding lives and property, reducing accidents, and bringing transparency to the traffic system.
He pointed out that poorly maintained buses and trucks were a major cause of road mishaps in Sindh, particularly in Karachi.
New Fitness and Safety Requirements
- All heavy vehicles must hold a valid fitness certificate issued only by transport department-approved centres.
- Non-compliance will result in hefty penalties, with fines payable online directly into the provincial government’s account.
- Repeat violations could result in fines of up to Rs 200,000 on a second offense and Rs 300,000 on a third.
Transition Period and Tests
The law will take effect after a one-year transition period, during which all commercial vehicles must undergo roadworthiness tests. In the initial months, minor infractions will attract lighter fines, but penalties will escalate for repeat offenders.
Mandatory Technology and Safety Devices
The provincial government has also mandated the installation of advanced monitoring and safety systems in both heavy and light commercial vehicles, including:
- GPS trackers
- Front and rear high-definition cameras
- Driver monitoring cameras
- 360-degree surveillance systems
- Underrun protection guards to shield smaller vehicles and motorcycles in collisions
Mr Memon told Dawn that these systems must remain fully operational at all times. Without them, vehicles will not be registered, issued permits, or allowed ownership transfer.
Penalties for Non-Compliance
Failure to install or deliberate damage to the required systems will result in fines and temporary impounding. If violations are not rectified within 14 days, the vehicle’s registration will be permanently cancelled.
“The new rules are about saving lives and restoring order to the transport system,” Mr Memon stressed in his remarks to Dawn.