Rickshaw drivers’ union challenge delay charges for license renewal, registration in Gujarat HC

The Gujarat High Court has asked the state, Centre, and Regional Transport Authority to file a affidavit within the period of four weeks in a petition filed by Vadodara Shahar Jilla Rickshaw Chalak Union, challenging the state and central authorities over the imposition of additional fees for delays in renewing driving licenses, registration certificates, and fitness certificates after expiry period.

The petition, filed through Union President Bilalbhai Parmar contends that the steep penalty-like levies introduced via government notifications are “highly illegal, unjust, and ultra vires” to the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.

According to the legal documents dated May 6, the auto-rickshaw operators are heavily burdened by Rules 32 and 81 of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989.

These provisions mandate an additional fee of ₹1,000 per year for late license renewals, up to ₹500 per month for registration delays, and a penalizing ₹50 per day for late fitness certificates.

The union argues that transport authorities have no statutory power to levy these late fees, describing them as arbitrary penalties rather than service-oriented charges.

“Fees are directly related to the services provided for the issue of documents, and no amount more than the cost of services can be recovered,” the petitioner submitted.

The petitioners sought to quash the additional levies and have requested an interim stay to prevent the Regional Transport Authority from collecting these disputed charges. The matter is likely to be heard on July 27, 2026.