New Delhi, Feb 23, 2026 – The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has tightened the rules for All‑India Tourist Permit (AITP) vehicles. Under the All India Tourist Vehicles (Permit) Amendment Rules, 2026, any tourist vehicle with an AITP must return to its home (registration) state within 60 days of leaving it, down from the previous 90‑day window. The rule takes effect on April 1, 2026 and applies to all commercial tourist vehicles, including buses, vans and cabs.
Key provisions of the amendment:
- Trip origin or termination – Every journey must either start or end in the vehicle’s home state, and the vehicle may not stay outside that state for more than 60 consecutive days.
- Mandatory tracking – Vehicles must be equipped with a location‑tracking device and an emergency button; state transport departments will monitor movements through command‑and‑control centres.
- No stage‑carriage operation – AITP vehicles cannot be used as regular stage carriers or pick up passengers not listed on the approved tourist roster.
- Toll and penalty clearance – Before a permit is issued, the home state must verify that all toll fees and any traffic challans older than 45 days have been settled.
- Documentation – Operators must carry electronic or physical trip details (origin, destination, states on route) at all times.
Officials say the change aims to curb misuse of tourist permits, improve passenger safety, and ensure timely collection of tolls and user fees. Transport operators, however, have voiced concerns about increased fuel costs and logistical challenges, especially for fleets registered in states with limited BS‑IV registrations (e.g., Delhi) that are now required to shuttle vehicles back every two months.
