(file photo)The move is aimed at improving emergency medical response in rural, remote and hilly regions.
New DelhiThe Centre has proposed a dedicated regulatory framework for two-wheeled road ambulances by prescribing construction, safety and operational standards for such vehicles.Accordingly, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has issued a draft notification proposing amendments to the Central Motor Vehicles Rules (CMVR), 1989, to formally recognise and regulate two-wheeled road ambulances as a separate vehicle category.The move is aimed at improving emergency medical response in rural, remote and hilly regions.At present, two-wheeled road ambulances are not regulated under the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, resulting in the absence of national standards governing their construction, patient-handling systems, functional safety, type approval, registration and fitness inspections.proposed amendmentsThe proposed amendments seek to address these gaps by laying down construction and functional requirements for life-support two-wheeled road ambulances.According to the draft notification, all L2-category two-wheeled road ambulances manufactured on or after October 1, 2027, will be required to comply with the new standard.Meanwhile, emergency top warning lights fitted on such vehicles will also be required to conform to the prescribed specifications from the same date.Besides, the draft proposes that such ambulances may be registered to operate only in areas identified by the respective state governments.The move recognises the intended role of these vehicles in locations where conventional ambulances face mobility and accessibility constraints.Furthermore, the ministry has proposed treating two-wheeled road ambulances as transport vehicles, making them subject to periodic fitness certification.The certificate of fitness will be renewed once every two years.In addition, dedicated fitness inspections have been proposed, covering critical safety parameters, including secure mounting of the ambulance accessory or patient-conveyance unit, tyres and rims, emergency warning lights, patient stretcher locking mechanisms, amongst others.The proposed standard defines a two-wheeled road ambulance as an L2-category vehicle fitted or attached with an ambulance accessory unit or patient-conveyance system.Additionally, the draft notification prescribes requirements relating to vehicle stability, braking performance, parking brake efficiency, rear visibility, coupling integrity, emergency warning devices and patient protection from environmental exposure.Published on August 3, 2026
