Govt Notifies New Highway Fee Rules to Penalise Overloaded Vehicles

New Delhi, April 2026 : The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has notified the National Highways Fee (Determination of Rates and Collection) Fourth Amendment Rules, 2026, introducing stricter measures to curb overloading and streamline toll collection across the country’s highway network. The revised rules will come into effect from April 15, 2026.

The amendment aims to strengthen enforcement of load limits, enhance road safety, and protect highway infrastructure from damage caused by overloaded vehicles. It introduces a rationalised fee structure that penalises violators based on the extent of excess load carried.

Under the new framework, vehicles carrying up to 10 per cent excess load will not attract any penalty. However, those exceeding the permissible limit by more than 10 per cent and up to 40 per cent will be charged double the base toll rate. Vehicles overloaded beyond 40 per cent will face a steeper penalty of four times the base rate, reflecting the government’s intent to deter serious violations.

The rules specify that overloading will be determined using certified weighing systems installed at toll plazas, ensuring accuracy and transparency. In cases where such weighing facilities are unavailable, no overload fee will be imposed, providing clarity and preventing arbitrary enforcement.

A key feature of the amendment is the mandatory use of FASTag for collecting overload charges. This move is expected to improve efficiency, reduce manual intervention, and ensure seamless toll operations. Additionally, details of overloaded vehicles will be recorded and integrated into the VAHAN database, enabling better monitoring and enforcement.

Vehicles entering National Highways without a valid FASTag will continue to face penalties under existing provisions. However, the revised rules will not automatically apply to certain older private concession projects unless the operators voluntarily adopt them.

To ensure transparency, the notification also includes detailed examples illustrating how overload fees will be calculated for different vehicle categories based on permissible Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW). This is expected to help transporters better understand compliance requirements and avoid penalties.

The amendment introduces a revised framework under Rule 10, specifically addressing vehicles exceeding permitted load limits. It is also aligned with modern technologies such as Weigh-in-Motion (WIM) systems, which enable real-time detection of overloaded vehicles without disrupting traffic flow.

Overall, the new rules are expected to improve compliance among transporters, reduce wear and tear on highways, and ensure safer, more efficient movement of goods across India’s expanding National Highway network.