The Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989 prescribe technical and safety requirements applicable to motor vehicles, including construction standards and equipment requirements. Rule 120 relates to noise standards and safety systems for vehicles, while Rule 138 governs safety equipment requirements for certain categories of vehicles. Draft amendments to these rules were earlier published for public comments, and objections and suggestions received were considered by the Central Government. The present notification finalises the amendments to mandate acoustic safety systems for electrified vehicles and to extend specified safety equipment provisions to additional vehicle categories.

Insertion of proviso in Rule 120(2):
After the second proviso to sub-rule (2) of rule 120, the following proviso has been inserted : Provided also that on and after the 1st day of October 2026 in case of new models, and the 1st day of October 2027 in case of existing models, electrified vehicles of category M and N shall be fitted with Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System confirming to the requirements with regard to audibility as specified in AIS-173, as amended from time to time, till the corresponding BIS specifications are notified under the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016 (11 of 2016).”

Amendment to Rule 138(4): In the first proviso to sub-rule (4) of rule 138, after the letter and figure “M1”, the letters, figures and words “, L5, E-rickshaw, E-cart” shall be inserted & In the second proviso to sub-rule (4) of rule 138, after the letter and figure “M1”, the letters, figures and words “, L5, L7, E-rickshaw and E-cart” shall be inserted.