Sindh makes fitness certificate, GPS and camera system mandatory for heavy vehicles

The Sindh government has notified a series of amendments to the Sindh Motor Vehicle Rules, 1969, introducing stricter regulations for heavy vehicles in an effort to curb road accidents and improve public safety.

According to the notification, all commercial vehicles operating within the province — including water tankers, dumpers, and local goods transport — will now be required to obtain a fitness certificate from centres established by the Transport and Mass Transit Department. Any violation will result in heavy fines, which will be collected online in the government’s account.

The new rules also set age limits for vehicles. Heavy vehicles older than 20 years will not be allowed on inter-provincial routes, those above 25 years will not be permitted on intercity routes, while vehicles older than 35 years will not be allowed to operate within city limits.

Transport Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon said that no heavy or light commercial passenger or goods vehicle would be allowed on the roads without a functional tracking system. Each vehicle must be equipped with a GPS tracker, dash and rear cameras, a driver monitoring system, and a 360-degree camera setup.

Also Read: Over 193 heavy vehicles confiscated for over-speeding and fitness failures in Karachi

Heavy vehicles will also be required to install under-run protection guards to reduce the risk of smaller vehicles, motorcycles, or pedestrians being trapped underneath in the event of a collision.

“All these devices must remain in proper working condition. Without verification, no vehicle will be registered, issued a fitness certificate, granted a permit, or allowed ownership transfer,” Memon said. He added that if such systems were found missing or deliberately disabled, heavy fines would be imposed, the vehicle would be sealed temporarily, and failure to comply within 14 days would result in permanent cancellation of registration.

Memon maintained that the amendments were aimed at protecting lives, reducing accidents, and ensuring transparency in traffic management through technology. “A major cause of accidents across Sindh, particularly in Karachi, is the operation of old and poorly maintained heavy vehicles,” he noted.

He warned that no heavy vehicle would be allowed on the roads without a valid fitness certificate and mandatory safety equipment. “With GPS and modern camera systems, enforcement will become easier, accident causes can be identified, and investigations will be more transparent,” he said.