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New Delhi: Delhi’s Transport Department has scrapped the one-year restriction on applying for No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for deregistered or end-of-life vehicles (ELVs). The decision means owners of old diesel and petrol cars can now apply for NOCs at any time to re-register their vehicles in other states, even if their registration expired years ago.
Transport Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh said the move was aimed at helping citizens who had been stuck with de-registered vehicles while also addressing Delhi’s pollution and congestion issues. The change comes as part of the government’s effort to implement the 2024 Guidelines for Handling End of Life Vehicles more effectively.
Until now, vehicle owners in Delhi had just one year after registration expiry to apply for an NOC. After that, they were legally required to scrap the vehicle, as re-registration elsewhere was not allowed. This rule created a mess for many residents whose vehicles were over 10 years old (diesel) or 15 years old (petrol).
Many such cars and two-wheelers were left idle in parking lots, public spaces, and residential colonies. They could neither be sold nor moved out of the city legally. Officials said this led to thousands of vehicles lying unused and adding to visual and environmental pollution.
Now, by removing the one-year limit, owners can finally transfer or re-register their vehicles in states where these vehicles are still permitted. Singh said the new policy will make it easier for citizens to “move their old vehicles out of Delhi responsibly,” which in turn should improve air quality and reduce congestion.
According to the transport department, around six million vehicles have been deregistered in Delhi over the past few years under NGT guidelines. Of these, about six lakh have already been scrapped. The rest remain stranded due to the old one-year rule.
The relaxation is expected to benefit owners of diesel cars older than 10 years and petrol cars older than 15 years. Many of these vehicles, including popular models like the Toyota Innova, Honda City, and Maruti Swift, were still in good condition but had no legal way to be moved or reused outside NCR.
Officials said the department received hundreds of public representations seeking relaxation of the rule. After reviewing the feedback and studying its impact, the government decided to suspend the one-year clause temporarily.
The new decision is expected to reduce parking pressure in colonies and free up thousands of abandoned vehicles from public areas. It also supports Delhi’s goal of improving air quality by ensuring old, polluting vehicles don’t continue operating within city limits.
For automobile enthusiasts and used car dealers, this change could bring a wave of activity. Vehicles once destined for scrap yards might now find new homes in smaller cities or states where they can still be legally registered.
The policy also aligns with the National Green Tribunal’s directives, which encourage proper disposal or relocation of ELVs rather than their indefinite storage. The notification is expected to take effect immediately, and officials estimate that millions of vehicle owners will benefit.
