In July, Delhi residents faced chaos as the government rolled out a strict fuel ban targeting end-of-life vehicles (ELVs), prohibiting refuelling for diesel vehicles over 10 years and petrol vehicles over 15 years. The enforcement triggered panic, with many vehicles seized or sold under distress amid public outcry. Following intense backlash, the Delhi government has temporarily suspended the ELV fuel ban, clarifying that vehicles cannot be forcibly seized or sold. To address the fallout, a streamlined process has been introduced, allowing affected owners to reclaim their vehicles and providing much-needed relief.
Steps to reclaim seized or sold vehicle
Delhi’s fuel ban paused, owners can reclaim seized vehicles by verifying status at transport.delhi.gov.in, submitting ownership documents, clearing fines, and passing emissions tests. One can also appeal for wrongful seizures or exemptions, opt for re-registration or scrap with incentives. Following are the steps —
- Verify Vehicle StatusÂ
What to Do: Contact the Delhi Transport Department to confirm whether your vehicle was seized, impounded, or sold under distress due to the ELV fuel ban.
Required Documents: Gather proof of ownership, including registration certificate (RC), insurance papers, valid Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate, and any receipts related to fines or impoundment.
Insight: Many owners faced confusion due to inconsistent enforcement across Delhi’s zones. Checking your vehicle’s status promptly prevents delays, as some impounded vehicles may still be in government yards.
Resource: Visit the Delhi Transport Department portal to check vehicle status or locate regional transport offices (RTOs).
- Submit Application for ReleaseÂ
What to Do: File an application with the Delhi Transport Department or the designated RTO for the release of your vehicle. Include all relevant documents and pay any outstanding fines or impoundment fees.
Insight: The government has waived certain penalties for owners affected by the sudden enforcement, but unpaid fines (e.g., for expired PUCs) may still apply. Online submission options are available to streamline the process.
Resource: Access application forms and guidelines on the Delhi Transport Department’s official website.
- Undergo Inspection and Compliance CheckÂ
What to Do: Some vehicles may need to pass an emissions test or physical inspection to verify compliance with Delhi’s environmental norms before release.
Insight: The ELV rule targeted older vehicles due to their higher emissions, but exemptions exist for well-maintained vehicles or those retrofitted to meet BS-IV or higher standards. Ensure your vehicle is in good condition to avoid rejection.
Resource: Book an emissions test at authorised centres listed on the Delhi Pollution Control Committee website.
- File Appeals for Wrongful Seizure or ExemptionsÂ
What to Do: If your vehicle was incorrectly classified as an ELV or qualifies for exemptions (e.g., vintage vehicles over 50 years old or those used for non-commercial purposes), submit an appeal with supporting documents.
Insight: Vintage vehicle owners have faced particular challenges, as their cars were sometimes seized despite exemptions. The government is now prioritising appeals to address such errors.
Resource: Check the exemption criteria and appeal processes on the Delhi Transport Department’s ELV section.
- Choose Re-registration or ScrappingÂ
What to Do: Based on your vehicle’s condition, opt to re-register it for continued use (if compliant) or participate in government scrapping schemes offering financial incentives.
Insight: The Registered Vehicle Scrapping Facility (RVSF) program provides up to 4-6% of a new vehicle’s ex-showroom price as an incentive for scrapping non-compliant ELVs. This could be a viable option for owners of older vehicles.
Resource: Explore scrapping incentives and facilities via the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. Write the pointers in a paragraph format.
