The Government of Sindh has undertaken a stringent new rule of car safety and environmental protection, with the help of the Transport and Mass Transit Department. In a bid to avoid road accidents resulting from mechanical faults and alleviate the increasing urban pollution, it has become a prerequisite to get a Vehicle Fitness Certificate for certain types of private vehicles and all commercial vehicles.
This guide will cover the new automated inspection system, where to get approved centers and how to keep your vehicle road legal in Sindh.
The Shift to Automated Inspections (VICS)
The Vehicle Inspection and Certification System (VICS) has been launched by the Sindh government replacing the old system of manual inspection. In this system, the computerised diagnostic equipment assesses the level of roadworthiness of a vehicle without any human bias. Whether you are running a rickshaw, a heavy duty truck or a van for school, your vehicle must have this electronic audit to be legally allowed to run on the roads of Sindh.
Where to Go: Authorized Inspection Centers
To facilitate the process, modern inspection hubs have been set up all over the province under the public-private partnership. The centers have high-tech lanes to perform brake testing, suspension checking, alignment testing, and emission measurements.
Major hubs are at Hub River Road and Korangi, Karachi.
Regional Centers: There are also regional centers that are fully operational in Hyderabad, Sukkur, Larkana and Mirpurkhas.
Step-by-Step Guide to Getting Your Certificate
This process is designed to be efficient, and, with good vehicle maintenance, it should take less than 30 minutes:
Book an Appointment: Walk-ins are occasionally allowed, but it is recommended to schedule an appointment on the VICS website or through their helpline to minimize wait times.
Documents required: Your Vehicle Registration Book/Smart Card, valid CNIC of the owner and the previous fitness certificate (if available).
Inspection Fee: Payment of inspection fee at the counter as required by the Government. The fee depends on the type of vehicle (LTV, HTV or Delivery Vans).
The automated stations will verify the following at the vehicle:
Brakes & Steering: Stopping distance and steering play precision testing.
Tires & Lights: Depth of treads and alignment of headlights/indicators.
Emissions: Making sure that smoke opacity levels are not exceeded.
Certification: Once the vehicle passes, a computer-generated certificate (with a unique QR code) will be provided on the spot. If this is unsuccessful, a “Failure Report” is given and you will be given 14 days to resolve the issues for re-test.
Legal Consequences of Non-Compliance
Driving without a valid fitness certificate in Sindh may result in imposing heavy fines and impounding the vehicle along with the commercial driver’s licence suspension. In addition, if a crash does occur, insurance companies could refuse to pay claims on a car without a valid fitness stamp. If you want to know the traffic safety laws and fine structure, then you can contact the Sindh Traffic Police.
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