The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has announced a reduction in the maximum period that all-India tourist vehicles can remain outside their home state, cutting the limit from 90 days to 60 days, officials said on Monday.
The move is aimed at improving regulation and monitoring of vehicles registered as all-India tourist vehicles, a category often used for hire or tour operations that legally permits inter-state travel without local registration requirements. Under the revised regime, vehicles in this category will need to return to their state of registration or obtain fresh permission after 60 days of continuous stay outside their home jurisdiction.
Authorities said the updated time cap is intended to ensure better compliance with vehicle usage norms, prevent misuse of tourist vehicle permits, and improve enforcement of taxation and regulatory obligations in the transport sector.
Transport officials noted that the change aligns with ongoing efforts to streamline the regulatory framework governing commercial and tourism-related vehicle operations, strengthen monitoring of interstate movement, and promote fair competition between registered tour operators and local transport providers.
The revised provision will apply to all vehicles operating under the all-India tourist category across the country. Owners and operators of such vehicles are being advised to adjust their travel and tour schedules accordingly and make preparations to comply with the new requirement once it comes into effect.
Industry stakeholders said the regulatory adjustment may require tour operators and fleet managers to recalibrate their logistics planning, particularly for long-duration tours or extended interstate assignments. Proper scheduling and coordination with issuing authorities will be important to avoid penalties or compliance issues.
The ministry’s notification is expected to be formally published soon, detailing the amended provisions and timelines for implementation. Officials said transitional guidelines will be issued to help affected operators adapt to the revised stay limit.
