New Delhi: The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways notified amended overload fee rules to streamline charges on overloaded vehicles and strengthen enforcement on National Highways.
The ministry issued the National Highways Fee (Determination of Rates and Collection) Fourth Amendment Rules, 2026 on April 14. The rules will take effect from April 15, 2026. Officials said the move aimed to ensure fair fee collection while protecting road infrastructure.
Under the revised overload fee rules, authorities introduced a structured system to penalise excess load. Vehicles carrying up to 10% extra load will not face any fee. However, those exceeding 10% and up to 40% will pay twice the base rate. Vehicles with over 40% excess load will pay four times the base rate.
Moreover, officials stated that certified weighing devices at toll plazas will determine overloading. This step ensures accuracy and reduces disputes. In addition, the ministry clarified that no overload fee will apply where weighment facilities are unavailable.
Digital enforcement under overload fee rules
The government mandated FASTag-based payment for all overload charges. This measure will ensure seamless and transparent transactions. Authorities will also record details of overloaded vehicles and upload them to the VAHAN database for monitoring.
Further, vehicles entering highways without a valid FASTag will face penalties under existing provisions. The ministry said this integration will strengthen digital enforcement and compliance.
However, the amended overload fee rules will not apply to certain older private concession projects unless operators agree to adopt them. The notification also includes examples explaining how overload fees are calculated for different vehicle categories.
Officials added that the revised framework will improve compliance, reduce road damage, and enhance safety. The changes are expected to support efficient freight movement across highways.
