25 September 2025
Web desk
Government introduces strict age limits and mandatory safety systems for vehicles to improve road safety and modernize public transport.
The Sindh government has rolled out sweeping changes to its transport policy, introducing strict age limits for vehicles on different routes and making road fitness and safety systems mandatory for commercial transport. The reforms are aimed at tackling road accidents, improving passenger safety, and gradually removing outdated vehicles from the system.
Under the revised rules, the government has classified routes and applied separate age ceilings for vehicles:
Inter-provincial routes: Vehicles older than 20 years will not be allowed to operate.
Intercity routes: The limit has been fixed at 25 years.
Within city limits: Vehicles up to 35 years of age will be permitted.
By setting these age thresholds, officials hope to ensure that only vehicles with better mechanical conditions and safety features remain in service.
To strengthen enforcement, the government has made fitness certificates compulsory for all heavy vehicles. These certificates will be issued through transport department testing centers after proper inspection.
If a vehicle fails the test, the penalties will escalate with each violation:
First failure: A small fine.
Second failure: Fine of up to Rs. 200,000.
Third failure: Fine of up to Rs. 300,000.
This step is meant to discourage repeated negligence and push owners to maintain their vehicles.
In a move towards modernization, every commercial vehicle — whether large buses or smaller vans — will be required to install:
GPS tracking devices
Front and rear cameras
A driver monitoring camera
A 360-degree camera system
Under-run guards for the protection of smaller vehicles and motorcycle
Vehicles found without these systems, or with disabled equipment, will be seized immediately. Owners will get 14 days to make the corrections, failing which, the registration of the vehicle will be permanently canceled.
Recognizing the challenges of compliance, the government has announced a one-year grace period for transporters to upgrade their vehicles and install the required systems.
These reforms could mark a turning point for Sindh’s public transport sector. Outdated buses and trucks are often linked to breakdowns, traffic jams, and deadly accidents. By enforcing age limits and demanding modern safety systems, the government aims to cut risks and bring local transport closer to international standards.
However, the transition will not be easy. Many vehicle owners, especially in rural areas, may find it costly to replace old buses or install advanced equipment. Concerns have also been raised about whether inspection centers and monitoring systems will be adequate to handle the demand.
Sindh’s transport reforms are ambitious, aiming to replace unsafe, aging vehicles with safer, tech-equipped alternatives. If implemented effectively, the move could reshape road safety and travel quality across the province — but the real test lies in how quickly transporters adapt and how strictly the government enforces the rules.
