Centre notifies phased new car safety rules, from crash tests to immobilisers, for 2027-2032

The Centre has announced major changes to vehicle safety rules to make cars in the country safer. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways issued a notification on 19 October 2026. It brings new rules on crash tests, pedestrian safety, protection in rear-end collisions and anti-theft immobilisers, among other things. The changes will not come in at once but will be implemented in phases between 2027 and 2032.

First, the immobiliser. Fitting an immobiliser will become mandatory in M1 category passenger cars from 1 October 2027. It is an anti-theft system that helps prevent a car's engine from being started without authorisation. Separately, improved rules on the design and operation of pedals will apply to new models from 1 April 2028. The aim of all these changes is to strengthen vehicle safety standards.

On crash tests, improved tests will be introduced to assess occupant safety in offset frontal collisions and side impacts. These tests will apply to new models from 1 October 2027, and to all models covered by the rules from 1 October 2028.

A separate frontal crash test, focused on occupant protection systems such as seat belts and airbags, will apply to new models from 1 October 2029 and to all relevant models from 1 October 2031.

Rules have also been set on how safe the fuel system and electric powertrain remain in a rear-end collision. These will apply to all models covered by the relevant standards from 1 April 2029. The change could prove important for the safety of batteries and drive systems in electric vehicles.

Improved rules to reduce injuries to pedestrians and other vulnerable road users in accidents will apply to new models from 1 October 2028. From 1 October 2032, a special device called FlexPLI will have to be used to test leg protection.

Vehicle-approval requirements for the event data recorder, which records vehicle data at the time of an accident, will apply from 1 October 2029. This could help in understanding how an accident happened.