The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has announced the National Highways Fee (Determination of Rates and Collection) Fourth Amendment Rules, 2026, to enhance enforcement and streamline fee collection for overloaded vehicles on National Highways. Effective from April 15, 2026, the amended rules aim to ensure compliance with load limits, bolster road safety, and safeguard highway infrastructure.
The revised fee structure will impose charges on vehicles carrying excess load based on the degree of overloading. Vehicles with up to 10% excess load will not face any overload fee, while those exceeding 10% and up to 40% will incur a charge of twice the base rate. Vehicles carrying over 40% excess load will be charged four times the base rate.
To determine overloading, certified weight measurement devices at fee plazas will be used. In cases where weighing facilities are absent, no overload fee will be imposed as per the rules. Overloading fees will be collected exclusively through FASTag, with details of overloaded vehicles recorded and reported to the National Vehicle Register (VAHAN).
Vehicles entering National Highways without a valid FASTag will be subject to existing rules. However, certain private investment projects executed before the amendment will be exempt unless concessionaires agree to follow the updated regulations. The notification includes a detailed explanation of how overload fees are calculated for different vehicle categories based on permissible weight limits, ensuring transparency in implementation.
The amendment is anticipated to boost compliance, reduce road damage from overloaded vehicles, and facilitate safer and more efficient movement of goods on National Highways with Weigh-in-Motion (WIM) technology. A revised framework under Rule 10 has been introduced for levying fees on vehicles exceeding the permissible Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW).
