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As vehicles get older, they are subjected to stricter government regulations in India. Cars that are 15 years old now fall under specific rules that can impact their registration, renewal, and overall usability. It’s essential to understand the 15-year old car rule and the latest government guidelines.
In August 2025, the Supreme Court of India provided significant relief to Delhi old vehicle owners by temporarily halting the enforcement of a ban on older diesel and petrol vehicles. This interim order allows diesel vehicles over 10 years old and 15 years old petrol cars to continue operating in the region, pending a final verdict.
Key Highlights:
1. Delhi removes 1-year NOC limit, old vehicles can now be transferred anytime.
2. Car Owners of 10-year diesel and 15-year petrol cars get major relief.
3. New vehicle rule boosts used-car resale and re-registration across India.
The revised policy comes as a major relief for thousands of car owners across Delhi and the NCR region. It not only simplifies the re-registration process but also protects the financial value of older vehicles.
Freedom from RTO deadlines: Vehicle owners can now apply for a No Objection Certificate (NOC) at any time - even if the car’s registration expired years ago. This offers greater flexibility and convenience.
No mandatory scrapping: Instead of sending your old car to the scrapyard, you can legally transfer and re-register it in another state where the vehicle age limit rules are different.
Improved resale opportunities: Cars that earlier had no resale value in Delhi can now be sold in other states. This opens up new avenues in the used car market and helps owners recover part of their vehicle’s investment.
Reduced paperwork and hassle: The removal of strict time limits means less stress for owners and dealers managing multiple vehicles. The process is now more transparent and manageable.
For instance, a 12-year-old diesel SUV that was once unsellable in Delhi can now be legally relocated and registered in states such as Punjab, Rajasthan, or Madhya Pradesh - keeping its value intact and extending its usable life.
On August 12, 2025, a bench chaired by Chief Justice BR Gavai ordered that no coercive action be taken against diesel vehicles owners over 10 years old and petrol vehicles over 15 years old in Delhi-NCR. The court issued a four-week notice period, during which authorities were instructed to refrain from impounding or penalising such vehicles. This decision temporarily suspends the 2018 Supreme Court order that had mandated the removal of these vehicles from the roads due to pollution concerns.
The Delhi government filed a review petition in the Supreme Court, arguing that the blanket age-based ban was arbitrary and disproportionately affected middle-class citizens. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta highlighted advancements in emission norms, such as the implementation of Bharat Stage VI standards, and the introduction of stricter Pollution Under Control (PUC) testing. The government contended that a more nuanced, technology-driven approach should be adopted to assess vehicle emissions and roadworthiness.
Prior to this relief, the Delhi government had resumed its crackdown on end-of-life vehicles in October 2024, impounding over 200 vehicles. Under these, diesel vehicles aged over 10 years and petrol vehicles aged over 15 years were targeted to reduce pollution levels. The initiative aimed to send these vehicles to registered scrapping facilities for proper disposal.
The Supreme Court's interim order offers temporary relief to many vehicle owners in Delhi-NCR, particularly benefiting middle-class families and senior citizens who may not afford to replace their older vehicles. However, the final decision on the matter is pending, and the court has scheduled a hearing after the four-week notice period. The outcome will determine the future of the age-based ban and could potentially lead to the adoption of a more scientific and equitable approach to vehicular emissions management.
In November 2022, the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH) proposed that, starting from 1st April 2023, vehicles older than 15 years would not be eligible for registration renewal. This policy aims to reduce pollution and improve road safety by removing older, less efficient vehicles from the roads.
Here are the details
Re-registration: Private vehicles that have completed the 15 year car age limit in India require re-registration.
Fitness tests: Re-registration is only granted if the vehicle is deemed roadworthy after a fitness test by the department.
Regional variations: Stricter rules apply in certain areas. For example, in the National Capital Region (NCR), vehicles that have completed 15 years of service are subject to de-registration.
Scrapping and alternatives: In regions like Delhi, the transport department has been de-registering 15-year-old petrol vehicles. The owners of these vehicles are advised to either scrap them or convert them to electric vehicles.
Impact: Vehicles that are de-registered are no longer permitted to ply on the roads and can be impounded if they are found to be violating the rules.
According to the Vehicle Scrappage Policy, here are the major 15 year car rule in India you must follow:
The implementation of the 15 year rule for cars in India serves multiple objectives aimed at enhancing environmental quality, road safety, and economic growth. Here are some key reasons why the 15-year car rule is being implemented:
Reducing Pollution by Phasing Out Unfit Vehicles: Older vehicles often fail to meet current emission standards, contributing significantly to air pollution. By removing these vehicles from the roads, the policy aims to improve air quality and public health.
Enhancing Safety Standards: Vehicles over 15 years old may lack modern safety features, increasing the risk of accidents. Ensuring these vehicles are either upgraded or removed helps reduce road accidents and enhances passenger safety.
Creating Employment Opportunities in the Automotive Sector: Establishing vehicle scrapping centers and processing facilities generates jobs in the automotive recycling industry, supporting economic development.
Formalising the Vehicle Scrappage Industry: Transitioning from informal to formal scrapping operations ensures environmentally responsible recycling practices and proper disposal of vehicle components.
Lowering Fuel Consumption and Maintenance Costs: Newer vehicles are generally more fuel-efficient and require less maintenance, leading to reduced fuel consumption and cost savings for owners.
Providing Affordable Raw Materials for Various Industries: Recycling materials from old vehicles supplies affordable raw materials to industries like automotive manufacturing, steel, and electronics, promoting a circular economy.
Scrapping old vehicles under the Vehicle Scrappage Policy offers several advantages:
1. Reducing Emissions: Removing older cars that adhere to outdated pollution norms helps decrease overall vehicle emissions, improving air quality.
2. Boosting the Automotive Industry: Incentivising the scrapping of old vehicles encourages consumers to purchase new ones, stimulating demand and growth in the automotive sector.
3. Providing Cost-Effective Raw Materials for the Steel Industry: Recycling scrap from old vehicles offers a cheaper alternative for raw materials used in steel production, benefiting industries reliant on these resources.
If you're considering scrapping your personal vehicle in India, following the proper procedure ensures compliance with legal requirements and supports environmental sustainability. Here's a step-by-step guide:
If your vehicle is over 15 years old, it must undergo a fitness test to assess its roadworthiness and environmental compliance. Vehicles that fail this test are deemed unfit and are subject to scrapping under the Vehicle Scrappage Policy.
This policy offers incentives such as discounts on new vehicle purchases, registration fee waivers, and road tax concessions to encourage owners to scrap old vehicles and transition to newer, more environmentally friendly models.
By adhering to these procedures and understanding the Vehicle Scrappage Policy, you can ensure compliance with regulations, contribute to environmental sustainability, and potentially benefit from various incentives when replacing your old vehicle.
When replacing or upgrading your old car, several financing options are available:
Scrapping your old vehicle not only helps in reducing pollution but also offers financial incentives and supports the automotive recycling industry. By following the outlined steps, you ensure that your vehicle is disposed of responsibly, contributing to a cleaner and safer environment.
Yes, you can, provided it passes the mandatory fitness test and adheres to emission standards.
There's no specific limit; however, vehicles over 15 years old must pass fitness tests to remain operational.
Yes, commercial vehicles face stricter age limits and must undergo fitness tests to continue plying.
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) oversees and enforces vehicle scrapping policies.
Yes, informing the RTO is necessary for proper deregistration and to avoid future liabilities.
Your vehicle may be deemed unfit for road use, and you could face penalties.
Yes, diesel vehicles often have shorter permissible ages compared to petrol vehicles, especially in regions like Delhi-NCR.
It's an official document certifying that your vehicle meets safety and emission standards.
Yes, you can sell a car after 15 years in most parts of India, provided you have renewed its registration and it passes the required fitness tests. The ability to sell and the process involved depend on your location, with some regions having stricter rules.
Yes, you can renew your car registration after 15 years, but it requires passing a fitness test and meeting emission standards.
The cost of re-registering a 15-year-old car varies by state and vehicle type. For example, in Delhi, the registration renewal fees start from ₹5,000, with additional agent fees applicable.
While you cannot legally drive a diesel car over 10 years old in Delhi, this was temporarily halted by the Supreme Court in August 2025. The court has directed that no ‘coercive action’ should be taken against diesel vehicles over 10 years old or petrol vehicles over 15 years old, as long as they meet fitness and emissions standards.
Scrapping is mandatory for government and semi-government vehicles older than 15 years. All private and commercial vehicles over 15 years old must pass a mandatory fitness test to remain on the road. Vehicles that fail this test are subject to mandatory scrapping, while those that pass can be re-registered for a fee.
Selling a 15-year-old car to another state is possible but challenging. Obtaining a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the original state is required, and the vehicle must pass a fitness test and meet emission standards of the new state.
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