India Proposes Rules to Regulate Two‑Wheeled Road Ambulances

Overview

• The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways published a draft notification on Monday proposing to formally recognise two‑wheeled road ambulances as L2‑category vehicles under the Central Motor Vehicles Rules.
• The draft calls for adoption of AIS‑209 (Part 1):2026, a standard that spells out construction and functional requirements such as stability and braking, parking brake and gradeability, rear visibility, coupling integrity, emergency conspicuity, and safe patient loading and restraint.
• Under the proposal, L2 two‑wheeled ambulances manufactured on or after October 1, 2027 must meet the AIS‑209 standard and required top‑light specifications before they can be registered.
• MoRTH would treat these vehicles as transport vehicles subject to mandatory fitness certification with renewal every two years and fitness inspections focused on mounts, tyres, warning lights, stretchers, restraint systems, loading systems and fire extinguishers.
• States would keep authority to decide where such two‑wheeler ambulances may operate, and the draft remains open for comment and not yet a final rule, with MoRTH set to review feedback after the 30‑day consultation period.