India’s draft vehicle rules would phase in automatic steering, emergency lane-keeping and drowsiness alerts for taxis from 2029, followed by mandatory emergency braking for passenger vehicles.
India’s road transport ministry has proposed a new round of safety rules that would make several driver-assistance technologies compulsory for taxis and other M1-category vehicles from October 1, 2029, in a move that could materially alter the design and cost of passenger vehicles sold for commercial use. The draft notification, issued by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, would require automatic steering functions, emergency lane-keeping systems and driver-drowsiness alerts on transport-use M1 vehicles, which include taxis.
The proposal is part of a broader amendment to the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, and it sets out a staged compliance timetable rather than an immediate mandate. According to the draft, M1 transport vehicles manufactured from October 1, 2027, would need to meet the relevant technical standards if these systems are fitted, two years before the features become mandatory for the transport category. The ministry has also proposed steering-effort requirements under AIS-193 from the same 2027 date for motor vehicles manufactured from that point onwards, excluding motorcycles, invalid carriages and three-wheelers without steering wheels.
The draft also addresses braking technology. For M1 and N1 vehicles manufactured from October 1, 2028, the rules would require compliance with AIS-185 if vehicles are equipped with advanced emergency braking systems. Mandatory fitment of those braking systems would then begin for new M1 models from October 1, 2030, and for all M1 models from October 1, 2032. The latter date would apply to vehicles manufactured from that point, including models already in production, but the draft does not call for retrofitting vehicles already on the road.
Other proposed safety measures include luggage-retention requirements under IS 15546:2005 for new M1 models from April 1, 2028, extending to all M1 models from October 1 that year. The ministry has also set out compliance requirements for vehicles fitted with ISOFIX anchorage systems, ISOFIX top-tether anchorages and i-Size seating positions, with the proposed deadlines falling on October 1, 2027 for new models and October 1, 2028 for all models. The draft remains open to objections and suggestions for 30 days after publication, and the ministry will review stakeholder feedback before any final notification is issued.
Disclaimer: This content is intended for informational purposes only. Readers are advised to exercise their own judgement, conduct due diligence, or consult a qualified expert before acting on any information provided.
