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Left Hand Drive Vehicles
Importation of left-hand drive vehicles not allowed in the country. The vehicles should necessarily have right-hand steering controls. However It is possible to get a left-hand drive vehicle (LHD) imported to India but mostly a vehicle manufacturer has the permission to do so. The car should be used only for testing and research purposes.
Age Restriction
Japanese used vehicle imported in India should not be more than 3 years old and conform to the Central Motor Vehicle Rules, (1989). Imported automobiles should have a minimum residual life of five years and the importer should ensure supply of auto parts and service during this period.
Inspection
The government’s Motor Vehicles Act (1988) enforces that all new and used cars must have a certificate of fitness in order to be registered. The certificate is awarded after a car has undergone certain tests for “roadworthiness” – the extent to which a vehicle meets the standard requirements for safe driving on open roads. It is important that the vehicle is roadworthy. Thus, it should have a roadworthiness certificate and its validity should be at least five years. In India the Export Import Policy (EXIM) 2001, allows import of used cars as well as pre owned in India. The import rules state that the import of passenger cars, jeep, multi-utility vehicles, motorcycles etc. restricted items to import and imported only after obtaining an import license.
Rules and Regulations to Import Used Cars
- The commerce ministry has identified six categories of second-hand vehicles having cylinder capacity of up to 3000 cc, which will now be allowed to be brought in through the Mumbai port.
- A speedometer indicating the speed in kilometers and photometry of the head-lamps to suit keep-left traffic.
- The importing agency is expected, at the time of importation, to submit a certificate issued by a testing agency notified by the central government that the second-hand vehicle being imported has been tested successfully before shipment and confirms all the regulations of used vehicles specified in Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.
You can submit the imported vehicle for testing at any of the following agencies:
a). Vehicle Research and Development Establishment (VRDE), Ministry of Defence, Ahmednagar
b). Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI), Pune
c). Central Farm and Machinery Training and Testing Institute, (CFMTT) Budni, Madhya Pradesh - It is necessary for the imported vehicle to be tested in order to check its compliance with the Central Motor Vehicle Rules, 1989, Exim Policy, 2001, and Central Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.
- The importer is also required to submit a certificate issued by a testing agency notified by the government that the used vehicle being imported conforms to the original homologation certificate issued at the time of manufacture. Homologation of vehicles is a process through which an authority certifies that a vehicle is fit for use. Also, that it satisfies all the criteria set down for use.
- The vehicle should be either loaned, leased, registered, or sold.
Depreciation allowed is as under
Every quarter 1st year of use 4 Percent Every quarter IInd year of use 3 Percent Every quarter IIIrd year of use 2 1/2 Percent Every quarter IVth year and thereafter 2 Percent.
Banned Vehicles:
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Banned vehicles cannot imported to India. A person needs to make sure that the vehicle being imported does not have the following specifications:
- The policy fully bans the import of cars whose engine capacity ranges from 1000 to 2500cc. motorcycle engine capacity should be their engine capacity should be over 250 cc but not in excess of 800 cc.
- Heavy-duty 2-wheelers or bikes that have an engine capacity ranging from 50cc to 500cc.
- Scooters that have an engine capacity ranging from 250cc to 800cc.
Procedure For Import Of Foreign Car:
There are 2 ways in which you can get the car imported to India. The car can be imported either directly from the manufacturer or through an agent. You need to arrange the asked documents and follow up on the process by yourself. On the other hand, an agent will help you get the car imported to India and help you till you get the car registered in the country.