India Sets Rules for Two-Wheeler Ambulances to Improve Rural Emergency Care

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has issued a draft notification to formally recognise two‑wheeler ambulances under the Central Motor Vehicles Rules. The proposal aims to address the lack of national standards for design, safety features, registration, type approval and fitness certification of these vehicles, which are seen as a solution for delivering emergency medical services in remote, rural and hilly areas where conventional ambulances struggle.

The draft adopts the AIS‑209 (Part 1):2026 standard, prescribing construction and functional requirements for life‑support two‑wheeled road ambulances. All such vehicles manufactured on or after 1 October 2027 must comply, and emergency warning lights must meet the new specifications. The framework classifies two‑wheeler ambulances as transport vehicles, requiring mandatory fitness certification renewed every two years, while allowing state governments to decide deployment zones based on local geography and healthcare needs. The overall goal is a uniform legal and safety framework that speeds emergency response and expands last‑mile access to healthcare across underserved regions of India.