New Delhi, Jan. 27 -- Want to buy fuel, get a FASTag, or renew your driving licence? Soon, you may have to show that your vehicle has valid third-party insurance.

The Union finance ministry has asked the road ministry to consider various measures to expand third-party insurance, which remains patchy despite stringent punishments listed under the Motor Vehicles Act, two people aware of the matter said. These include sending text messages to uninsured vehicle owners, as well as insisting on third-party Insurance to buy fuel and obtain FASTags, as well as renew driving licence and pollution control certificate.

Under Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, all motor vehicles must compulsorily have an insurance policy covering third-party risks, and offe...