New Delhi: The Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has further extended the validity of important vehicle documents like driving licences, registration certificates, fitness certificates and permits, till March 31, 2021, in view of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

This is the fourth instance in 2020 when the MoRTH has extended the validity of the documents related to Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 and Central Motor Vehicle Rules, 1989. It had issued advisories on March 30, June 9 and August 24 extending the validity of such documents till June 30, September 30 and December 31, respectively. The MoRTH has also issued a directory to the states and UT administrations with regard to the extension of validity of driving licences, registration certificates, fitness certificates, permits (all types), or any other concerned document(s) till March 31, 2021.

"Taking into consideration the need to prevent the spread of Covid-19, it is further advised that the validity of all of the above-referred documents may be treated to be valid till March 31, 2021. This covers all documents whose validity has expired since February 1, 2020, or would expire by March 31, 2021," the latest MoRTH advisory said. "Enforcement authorities are advised to treat such documents valid till March 31, 2021. This will help out citizens in availing transport-related services while maintaining social distancing," it added.

In an official statement dated December 27, the MoRTH said that all the states and union territories are requested to implement this advisory in letter and spirit so that the citizens, the transporters and various other organizations, which are operating under this difficult time during the Covid-19 pandemic, may not get harassed or face difficulties.