New Delhi, August 3, 2026 — The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has issued a draft notification proposing amendments to the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, for the phased introduction of Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) communication systems in motor vehicles.
The draft aims to enhance road safety by enabling vehicles to exchange real-time data such as speed, position, direction and acceleration. This information can provide advance warnings in critical situations, including sudden braking, forward-collision risks, unsafe lane changes and the approach of emergency vehicles.
Unlike conventional safety systems that rely mainly on onboard sensors and driver reaction, V2V communication can share information beyond the direct line of sight. It is expected to complement Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and support proactive accident prevention, connected mobility and future intelligent transport applications.
Proposed Timeline
Under the draft notification:
- Vehicles of categories L, M and N manufactured on or after 1 October 2027 will be required to comply with AIS-230 if fitted with V2V communication systems.
- Vehicles of categories L, M and N manufactured on or after 1 October 2028 will be required to be fitted with V2V communication systems conforming to AIS-230.
The phased approach is intended to give manufacturers and other stakeholders adequate time to prepare for the new requirements.
Technical Framework
The 5.875 GHz to 5.925 GHz frequency band has been designated for V2V and other Intelligent Transportation System applications. The Department of Telecommunications, through a notification dated 10 June 2026, has exempted the use of this band from licensing requirements.
AIS-230, the relevant Automotive Industry Standard, specifies the minimum technical, functional, performance, environmental and security requirements for V2V systems. It covers factory-installed On-Board Units using Cellular Vehicle-to-Everything (C-V2X) technology in the designated frequency band.
Key requirements under AIS-230 include radio performance, frequency stability, output power, receiver sensitivity, GNSS and positioning standards, electrical and power-supply norms, electromagnetic compatibility, cybersecurity provisions, and performance criteria for road-safety applications.
The standard also provides for the phased introduction of safety use cases such as:
- Emergency Brake Alert
- Forward Collision Warning
- Wrong-way Driving Alert
- Emergency Vehicle Alert
Background
The Ministry had constituted a Task Force on Intelligent Transportation Systems with a specific focus on V2V communication. The Task Force recommended the use of the 5.9 GHz ITS/V2X frequency range to improve road safety. The formulation of AIS-230 was also considered by the Central Motor Vehicles Rules–Technical Standing Committee at its 56th meeting held on 7 May 2026.
The proposed framework is expected to improve vehicle situational awareness, enable timely safety warnings and strengthen the use of connected technologies for reducing road-accident risks.
Suggestions and comments on the draft rules will be examined after the expiry of 30 days, following which the final notification will be issued.
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