English — official source version
aA1988-59.pdf.txt
1
The Motor Vehicles Act, 1988
(ACT NO. 59 OF 1988)
[As on the 21st May, 2025]
2
LIST OF AMENDING ACTS
1. The Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 1994 (54 of 1994).
2. The Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2000 (27 of 2000).
3. The Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2001 (39 of 2001).
4. The Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2015 (3 of 2015).
5. The Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019 (32 of 2019).
6. The Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2023 (18 of 2023).
_______
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS USED
Cl., cls. . . . . . for Clause, clauses.
Ins. . . . . . ,, Inserted.
Notifn. . . . . . ,, Notification.
S., ss. . . . . . ,, Section, sections.
Sch. . . . . . ,, Schedule.
Subs. . . . . . ,, Substituted.
w.e.f. . . . . . ,, with effect from.
3
THE MOTOR VEHICLES ACT, 1988
____________
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
__________
CHAPTER I
PRELIMINARY
SECTIONS
1. Short title, extent and commencement.
2. Definitions.
2A. e-cart and e-rickshaw.
2B. Promotion of innovation.
CHAPTER II
LICENSING OF DRIVERS OF MOTOR VEHICLES
3. Necessity for driving licence.
4. Age limit in connection with driving of motor vehicles.
5. Responsibility of owners of motor vehicles for contravention of sections 3 and 4.
6. Restrictions on the holding of driving licences.
7. Restrictions on the granting of learner’s licences for certain vehicles.
8. Grant of learner’s licence.
9. Grant of driving licence.
10. Form and contents of licences to drive.
11. Additions to driving licence.
12. Licensing and regulation of schools or establishments for imparting instruction in driving of motor
vehicles.
13. Extent of effectiveness of licences, to drive motor vehicles.
14. Currency of licences to drive motor vehicles.
15. Renewal of driving licences.
16. Revocation of driving licence on grounds of disease or disability.
17. Orders refusing or revoking driving licences and appeals therefrom.
18. Driving Licences to drive motor vehicles, belonging to the Central Government.
19. Power of licensing authority to disqualify from holding a driving licence or revoke such licence.
20. Power of Court to disqualify.
21. Suspension of driving licence in certain cases.
22. Suspension or cancellation of driving licence on conviction.
23. Effect of disqualification order.
24. Endorsement.
25. Transfer of endorsement and issue of driving licence free from endorsement.
25A. National Register of Driving Licences.
26. Maintenance of State Registers of Driving Licences.
27. Power of Central Government to make rules.
28. Power of State Government to make rules.
4
CHAPTER III
LICENSING OF CONDUCTORS OF STAGE CARRIAGES
SECTIONS
29. Necessity for conductor’s licence.
30. Grant of conductor’s licence.
31. Disqualifications for the grant of conductor’s licence.
32. Revocation of a conductor’s licence on grounds of disease or disability.
33. Orders refusing, etc., conductor’s licences and appeals therefrom.
34. Power of licensing authority to disqualify.
35. Power of Court to disqualify.
36. Certain provisions of Chapter II to apply to conductor’s licence.
37. Savings.
38. Power of State Government to make rules.
CHAPTER IV
REGISTRATION OF MOTOR VEHICLES
39. Necessity for registration.
40. Registration, where to be made.
41. Registration, how to be made.
42. Special provision for registration of motor vehicles of diplomatic officers, etc.
43. Temporary registration.
44. Production of vehicle at the time of registration.
45. Refusal of registration or renewal of the certificate of registration.
46. Effectiveness in India of registration.
47. Assignment of new registration mark on removal to another State.
48. No objection certificate.
49. Change of residence or place of business.
50. Transfer of ownership.
51. Special provisions regarding motor vehicle subject to hire-purchase agreement, etc.
52. Alteration in motor vehicle.
53. Suspension of registration.
54. Cancellation of registration suspended under section 53.
55. Cancellation of registration.
56. Certificate of fitness of transport vehicles.
57. Appeals.
58. Special provisions in regard to transport vehicles.
59. Power to fix the age limit of motor vehicle.
60. Registration of vehicles belonging to the Central Government.
61. Application of Chapter to trailers.
62. Information regarding stolen and recovered motor vehicles to be furnished by the police to the
State Transport Authority.
62A. Prohibition of registration and issuance of certificate of fitness to oversized vehicles.
62B. National Register of Motor Vehicles.
63. Maintenance of State Registers of Motor Vehicles.
64. Power of Central Government to make rules.
65. Power of State Government to make rules.
5
CHAPTER V
CONTROL OF TRANSPORT VEHICLES
SECTIONS
66. Necessity for permits.
66A. National Transportation Policy.
66B. No bar against permit holders to apply and hold licences under schemes.
67. Power to State Government to control road transport.
68. Transport Authorities.
69. General provision as to applications for permits.
70. Application for stage carriage permit.
71. Procedure of Regional Transport Authority in considering application for stage carriage permit.
72. Grant of stage carriage permits.
73. Application for contract carriage permit.
74. Grant of contract carriage permit.
75. Scheme for renting of motor cabs.
76. Application for private service vehicle permit.
77. Application for goods carriage permit.
78. Consideration of application for goods carriage permit.
79. Grant of goods carriage permit.
80. Procedure in applying for and granting permits.
81. Duration and renewal of permits.
82. Transfer of permit.
83. Replacement of vehicles.
84. General conditions attaching to all permits.
85. General form of permits.
86. Cancellation and suspension of permits.
87. Temporary permits.
88. Validation of permits for use outside region in which granted.
88A. Power of Central Government to make schemes for national, multimodal and inter-State
transport of passengers and goods.
89. Appeals.
90. Revision.
91. Restriction of hours of work of drivers.
92. Voidance of contracts restrictive of liability.
93. Agent or canvasser or aggregator to obtain licence.
94. Bar on jurisdiction of Civil Courts.
95. Power of State Government to make rules as to stage carriages and contract carriages.
96. Power of State Government to make rules for the purposes of this Chapter.
CHAPTER VI
SPECIAL PROVISIONS RELATING TO STATE TRANSPORT UNDERTAKINGS
97. Definition.
98. Chapter to override Chapter V and other laws.
99. Preparation and publication of proposal regarding road transport service of a State transport
undertaking.
100. Objection to the proposal.
101. Operation of additional services by a State transport undertaking in certain circumstances.
6
SECTIONS
102. Cancellation or modification of scheme.
103. Issue of permits to State transport undertakings.
104. Restriction on grant of permits in respect of a notified area or notified route.
105. Principles and method of determining compensation and payment thereof.
106. Disposal of article found in vehicles.
107. Power of State Government to make rules.
108. Certain powers of State Government exercisable by the Central Government.
CHAPTER VII
CONSTRUCTION, EQUIPMENT AND MAINTENANCE OF MOTOR VEHICLES
109. General provision regarding construction and maintenance of vehicles.
110. Power of Central Government to make rules.
110A. Recall of motor vehicles.
110B. Type of approval certificate and testing agencies.
111. Power of State Government to make rules.
CHAPTER VIII
CONTROL OF TRAFFIC
112. Limits of speed.
113. Limits of weight and limitations on use.
114. Power to have vehicle weighed.
115. Power to restrict the use of vehicles.
116. Power to erect traffic signs.
117. Parking places and halting stations.
118. Driving regulations.
119. Duty to obey traffic signs.
120. Vehicles with left hand control.
121. Signals and signalling devices.
122. Leaving vehicle in dangerous position.
123. Riding on running board, etc.
124. Prohibition against travelling without pass or ticket.
125. Obstruction of driver.
126. Stationary vehicles.
127. Removal of motor vehicles abandoned or left unattended on a public place.
128. Safety measures for drivers and pillion riders.
129. Wearing of protective headgear.
130. Duty to produce licence and certificate of registration.
131. Duty of the driver to take certain precautions at unguarded railway level crossing.
132. Duty of driver to stop in certain cases.
133. Duty of owner of motor vehicle to give information.
134. Duty of driver in case of accident and injury to a person.
134A. Protection of Good Samaritans.
135. Schemes to be framed for the investigation of accident cases and wayside amenities, etc.
136. Inspection of vehicle involved in accident.
136A. Electronic monitoring and enforcement of road safety.
7
SECTIONS
137. Power of Central Government to make rules.
138. Power of State Government to make rules.
CHAPTER IX
MOTOR VEHICLES TEMPORARILY LEAVING OR VISITING INDIA
139. Power of Central Government to make rules.
CHAPTER X [LIABILITY WITHOUT FAULT IN CERTAIN CASES] [Omitted.].
140. [Omitted.].
141. [Omitted.].
142. [Omitted.].
143. [Omitted.].
144. [Omitted.].
CHAPTER XI
INSURANCE OF MOTOR VEHICLES AGAINST THIRD PARTY RISKS
145. Definitions.
146. Necessity for insurance against third party risks.
147. Requirements of policies and limits of liability.
148. Validity of policies of insurance issued in reciprocating countries.
149. Settlement by insurance company and procedure therefor.
150. Duty of insurers to satisfy judgments and awards against persons insured in respect of third party
risks.
151. Rights of third party against insurers on insolvency of insured.
152. Duty to give information as to insurance.
153. Settlement between insurers and insured persons.
154. Saving in respect of sections 151, 152 and 153.
155. Effect of death on certain causes of action.
156. Effect of certificate of insurance.
157. Transfer of certificate of insurance.
158. Production of certain certificates, licence and permit in certain cases.
159. Information to be given regarding accident.
160. Duty to furnish particulars of vehicle involved in accident.
161. Special provisions as to compensation in case of hit and run motor accident.
162. Scheme for golden hour.
163. Refund in certain cases of compensation paid under section 161.
164. Payment of compensation in case of death or grevious hurt, etc.
164A. Scheme for interim relief for claimants.
164B. Motor Vehicle Accident Fund.
164C. Power of Central Government to make rules.
164D. Power of State Government to make rules.
8
CHAPTER XII
CLAIMS TRIBUNALS
SECTIONS
165. Claims Tribunals.
166. Application for compensation.
167. Option regarding claims for compensation in certain cases.
168. Award of the Claims Tribunal.
169. Procedure and powers of Claims Tribunals.
170. Impleading insurer in certain cases.
171. Award of interest where any claim is allowed.
172. Award of compensatory costs in certain cases.
173. Appeals.
174. Recovery of money from insurer as arrear of land revenue.
175. Bar on jurisdiction of Civil Courts.
176. Power of State Government to make rules.
177. General provision for punishment of offences.
177A. Penalty for contravention of regulations under section 118.
CHAPTER XIII
OFFENCES, PENALTIES AND PROCEDURE
178. Penalty for travelling without pass or ticket and for dereliction of duty on the part of conductor
and refusal to ply contract carriage, etc.
179. Disobedience of orders, obstruction and refusal of information.
180. Allowing unauthorised persons to drive vehicles.
181. Driving vehicles in contravention of section 3 or section 4.
182. Offences relating to licences.
182A. Punishment for offences relating to construction, maintenance, sale and alteration of motor
vehicles and components.
182B. Punishment for contravention of section 62A.
183. Driving at excessive speed, etc.
184. Driving dangerously.
185. Driving by a drunken person or by a person under the influence of drugs.
186. Driving when mentally or physically unfit to drive.
187. Punishment for offences relating to accident.
188. Punishment for abetment of certain offences.
189. Racing and trials of speed.
190. Using vehicle in unsafe condition.
191. [Omitted].
192. Using vehicle without registration.
192A. Using vehicle without permit.
192B. Offences relating to registration.
193. Punishment of agents, canvassers and aggregators without proper authority.
194. Driving vehicle exceeding permissible weight.
194A. Carriage of excess passengers.
194B. Use of safety belts and the seating of children.
9
SECTIONS
194C. Penalty for violation of safety measures for motor cycle drivers and pillion riders.
194D. Penalty for not wearing protective headgear.
194E. Failure to allow free passage to emergency vehicles.
194F. Use of horns and silence zones.
195. [Omitted].
196. Driving uninsured vehicle.
197. Taking vehicle without authority.
198. Unauthorised interference with vehicle.
198A. Failure to comply with standards for road design, construction and maintenance.
199. Offences by companies.
199A. Offences by juveniles.
199B. Revision of fines.
200. Composition of certain offences.
201. Penalty for causing obstruction to free flow of traffic.
202. Power to arrest without warrant.
203. Breath tests.
204. Laboratory test.
205. Presumption of unfitness to drive.
206. Power of police officer to impound document.
207. Power to detain vehicles used without certificate of registration permit, etc.
208. Summary disposal of cases.
209. Restriction on conviction.
210. Courts to send intimation about conviction.
210A. Power of State Government to increase penalties.
210B. Penalty for offence committed by an enforcing authority.
210C. Power of Central Government to make rules.
210D. Power of State Government to make rules.
CHAPTER XIV
MISCELLANEOUS
211. Power to levy fee.
211A. Use of electronic forms and documents.
212. Publication, commencement and laying of rules and notifications.
213. Appointment of motor vehicles officers.
214. Effect of appeal and revision on orders passed by original authority.
215. Road Safety Councils and Committees.
215A. Power of Central Government and State Government to delegate.
215B. National Road Safety Board.
215C. Power of Central Government to make rules.
215D. Power of State Government to make rules.
216. Power to remove difficulties.
217. Repeal and savings.
217A. Renewal of permits, driving licences and registration granted under the Motor Vehicles
Act, 1939.
THE FIRST SCHEDULE.
THE SECOND SCHEDULE. [Omitted].
10
THE MOTOR VEHICLES ACT, 1988
ACT NO. 59 OF 1988
[14th October, 1988.]
An Act to consolidate and amend the law relating to motor vehicles.
BE it enacted by Parliament in the Thirty-ninth Year of the Republic of India as follows:—
CHAPTER I
PRELIMINARY
1. Short title, extent and commencement.—(1) This Act may be called the Motor Vehicles Act,
1988.
(2) It extends to the whole of India.
(3) It shall come into force on such date1 as the Central Government may, by notification in the
Official Gazette, appoint; and different dates may be appointed for different States and any reference in
this Act to the commencement of this Act shall, in relation to a State, be construed as a reference to the
coming into force of this Act in that State.
2. Definitions.—In this Act, unless context otherwise requires,—
2[(1) “adapted vehicle” means a motor vehicle either specially designed and constructed, or to
which alterations have been made under sub-section (2) of section 52, for the use of a person
suffering from any physical defect or disability, and used solely by or for such person;
(1A) “aggregator” means a digital intermediary or market place for a passenger to connect with a
driver for the purpose of transportation;
(1B) “area”, in relation to any provision of this Act, means such area as the State Government
may, having regard to the requirements of that provision, specify by notification in the Official
Gazette;]
(2) “articulated vehicle” means a motor vehicle to which a semitrailer is attached;
(3) “axle weight” means in relation to an axle of a vehicle the total weight transmitted by the
several wheels attached to that axle to the surface on which the vehicle rests;
(4) “certificate of registration” means the certificate issued by a competent authority to the effect
that a motor vehicle has been duly registered in accordance with the provisions of Chapter IV;
3[(4A) “community service” means an unpaid work which a person is required to perform as a
punishment for an offence committed under this Act;]
(5) “conductor”, in relation to a stage carriage, means a person engaged in collecting fares from
passengers, regulating their entrance into, or exit from, the stage carriage and performing such other
functions as may be prescribed;
(6) “conductor’s licence” means the licence issued by a competent authority under Chapter III
authorising the person specified therein to act as a conductor;
(7) “contract carriage” means a motor vehicle which carries a passenger or passengers for hire or
reward and is engaged under a contract, whether expressed or implied, for the use of such vehicle as a
whole for the carriage of passengers mentioned therein and entered into by a person with a holder of a
permit in relation to such vehicle or any person authorised by him in this behalf on a fixed or an
agreed rate or sum—
(a) on a time basis, whether or not with reference to any route or distance; or
(b) from one point to another,
1. 1st July, 1989, vide Notifn. No. S.O. 368(E), dated 22nd May, 1989, see Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Pt. II, sec. 3 (ii).
2. Subs. by Act 32 of 2019, s. 2, for cl. (1) (w.e.f. 1-9-2019).
3. Ins. by s. 2, ibid. (w.e.f. 1-9-2019).
11
and in either case, without stopping to pick up or set down passengers not included in the contract
anywhere during the journey, and includes—
(i) a maxicab; and
(ii) a motor cab notwithstanding that separate fares are charged for its passengers;
(8) “dealer” includes a person who is engaged—
1* * * * *
(b) in building bodies for attachment to chassis; or
(c) in the repair of motor vehicles; or
(d) in the business of hypothecation, leasing or hire-purchase of motor vehicle;
(9) “driver” includes, in relation to a motor vehicle which is drawn by another motor vehicle, the
person who acts as a steersman of the drawn vehicle;
2[(9A) “driver refresher training course” means the course referred to in sub-section (2A) of
section 19;]
(10) “driving licence” means the licence issued by a competent authority under Chapter II authorising
the person specified therein to drive, otherwise than as a learner, a motor vehicle or a motor vehicle of
any specified class or description;
(11) “educational institution bus” means an omnibus, which is owned by a college, school or other
educational institution and used solely for the purpose of transporting students or staff of the educational
institution in connection with any of its activities;
(12) “fares” includes sums payable for a season ticket or in respect of the hire of a contract carriage;
2[(12A) “golden hour” means the time period lasting one hour following a traumatic injury during
which there is highest likelihood of preventing death by providing prompt medical care;]
(13) “goods” includes live-stock, and anything (other than equipment ordinarily used with the
vehicle) carried by a vehicle except living persons, but does not include luggage or personal effects
carried in a motor car or in a trailer attached to a motor car or the personal luggage of passengers
travelling in the vehicle;
(14) “goods carriage” means any motor vehicle constructed or adapted for use solely for the carriage
of goods, or any motor vehicle not so constructed or adapted when used for the carriage of goods;
(15) “gross vehicle weight” means in respect of any vehicle the total weight of the vehicle and load
certified and registered by the registering authority as permissible for that vehicle;
(16) “heavy goods vehicle” means any goods carriage the gross vehicle weight of which, or a tractor
or a road-roller the unladen weight of either of which, exceeds 12,000 kilograms;
(17) “heavy passenger motor vehicle” means any public service vehicle or private service vehicle or
educational institution bus or omnibus the gross vehicle weight of any of which, or a motor car the
unladen weight of which, exceeds 12,000 kilograms;
3* * * * *
(19) “learner’s licence” means the licence issued by a competent authority under Chapter II
authorising the person specified therein to drive as a learner, a motor vehicle or a motor vehicle of any
specified class or description;
1. Sub-clause (a) omitted by Act 54 of 1994, s. 2 (w.e.f. 14-11-1994).
2. Ins. by Act 32 of 2019, s. 2 (w.e.f. 1-9-2019).
3. Cl. (18) omitted by s. 2, ibid. (w.e.f. 1-9-2019).
12
(20) “licensing authority” means an authority empowered to issue licences under Chapter II or, as the
case may be, Chapter III;
(21) “light motor vehicle” means a transport vehicle or omnibus the gross vehicle weight of either of
which or a motor car or tractor or road-roller the unladen weight of any of which, does not exceed 1[7500]
kilograms;
2[(21A) “manufacturer” means a person who is engaged in the manufacture of motor vehicles;]
(22) “maxicab” means any motor vehicle constructed or adapted to carry more than six passengers,
but not more than twelve passengers, excluding the driver, for hire or reward;
(23) “medium goods vehicle” means any goods carriage other than a light motor vehicle or a heavy
goods vehicle;
(24) “medium passenger motor vehicle” means any public service vehicle or private service vehicle,
or educational institution bus other than a motor cycle, 3[adapted vehicle], light motor vehicle or heavy
passenger motor vehicle;
(25) “motorcab” means any motor vehicle constructed or adapted to carry not more than six
passengers excluding the driver for hire or reward;
(26) “motor car” means any motor vehicle other than a transport vehicle, omnibus, road-roller,
tractor, motor cycle or 3[adapted vehicle];
(27) “motor cycle” means a two-wheeled motor vehicle, inclusive of any detachable side-car having
an extra wheel, attached to the motor vehicle;
(28) “motor vehicle” or “vehicle” means any mechanically propelled vehicle adapted for use upon
roads whether the power of propulsion is transmitted thereto from an external or internal source and
includes a chassis to which a body has not been attached and a trailer; but does not include a vehicle
running upon fixed rails or a vehicle of a special type adapted for use only in a factory or in any other
enclosed premises or a vehicle having less than four wheels fitted with engine capacity of not exceeding
4[twenty-five cubic centimetres];
(29) “omnibus” means any motor vehicle constructed or adapted to carry more than six persons
excluding the driver;
(30) “owner” means a person in whose name a motor vehicle stands registered, and where such
person is a minor, the guardian of such minor, and in relation to a motor vehicle which is the subject of a
hire-purchase, agreement, or an agreement of lease or an agreement of hypothecation, the person in
possession of the vehicle under that agreement;
(31) “permit” means a permit issued by a State or Regional Transport Authority or an authority
prescribed in this behalf under this Act authorising the use of a motor vehicle as a transport vehicle;
(32) “prescribed” means prescribed by rules made under this Act;
(33) “private service vehicle” means a motor vehicle constructed or adapted to carry more than six
persons excluding the driver and ordinarily used by or on behalf of the owner of such vehicle for the
purpose of carrying persons for, or in connection with, his trade or business otherwise than for hire or
reward but does not include a motor vehicle used for public purposes;
(34) “public place” means a road, street, way or other place, whether a thoroughfare or not, to which
the public have a right of access, and includes any place or stand at which passengers are picked up or set
down by a stage carriage;
(35) “public service vehicle” means any motor vehicle used or adapted to be used for the carriage of
passengers for hire or reward, and includes a maxicab, a motorcab, contract carriage, and stage carriage;
1. Subs. by Act 54 of 1994, s. 2, for “6000” (w.e.f. 14-11-1994).
2. Ins. by s. 2, ibid. (w.e.f. 14-11-1994).
3. Subs. by Act 32 of 2019, s. 2, for “invalid carriage” (w.e.f. 1-9-2019).
4. Subs. by Act 54 of 1994, s. 2, for “thirty-five cubic centimetres” (w.e.f. 14-11-1994).
13
(36) “registered axle weight” means in respect of the axle of any vehicle, the axle weight certified and
registered by the registering authority as permissible for that axle;
(37) “registering authority” means an authority empowered to register motor vehicles under
Chapter IV;
(38) “route” means a line of travel which specifies the highway which may be traversed by a motor
vehicle between one terminus and another;
1[(38A) “scheme” means a scheme framed under this Act;]
2[(39) “semi-trailer” means a vehicle not mechanically propelled (other than a trailer), which is
intended to be connected to a motor vehicle and which is so constructed that a portion of it is
super-imposed on, and a part of whose weight is borne by, that motor vehicle;]
(40) “stage carriage” means a motor vehicle constructed or adapted to carry more than six passengers
excluding the driver for hire or reward at separate fares paid by or for individual passengers, either for the
whole journey or for stages of the journey;
(41) “State Government” in relation to a Union territory means the Administrator thereof appointed
under article 239 of the Constitution;
(42) “State transport undertaking” means any undertaking providing road transport service, where
such undertaking is carried on by,—
(i) the Central Government or a State Government;
(ii) any Road Transport Corporation established under section 3 of the Road Transport
Corporations Act, 1950 (64 of 1950);
(iii) any municipality or any corporation or company owned or controlled by the Central
Government or one or more State Governments, or by the Central Government and one or more State
Governments;
3[(iv) Zilla Parishad or any other similar local authority.]
Explanation.—For the purposes of this clause, “road transport service” means a service of motor
vehicles carrying passengers or goods or both by road for hire or reward;
1[(42A) “testing agency” means any entity designated as a testing agency under section 110B;]
(43) “tourist vehicle” means a contract carriage constructed or adapted and equipped and maintained
in accordance with such specifications as may be prescribed in this behalf;
(44) “tractor” means a motor vehicle which is not itself constructed to carry any load (other than
equipment used for the purpose of propulsion); but excludes a road-roller;
(45) “traffic signs” includes all signals, warning sign posts, direction posts, markings on the road or
other devices for the information, guidance or direction of drivers of motor vehicles;
(46) “trailer” means any vehicle, other than a semi-trailer and a side-car, drawn or intended to be
drawn by a motor vehicle;
(47) “transport vehicle” means a public service vehicle, a goods carriage, an educational institution
bus or a private service vehicle;
(48) “unladen weight” means the weight of a vehicle or trailer including all equipment ordinarily used
with the vehicle or trailer when working, but excluding the weight of a driver or attendant; and where
alternative parts or bodies are used the unladen weight of the vehicle means the weight of the vehicle with
the heaviest such alternative part or body;
1. Ins. by Act 32 of 2019, s. 2 (w.e.f. 1-9-2019).
2. Subs. by Act 54 of 1994, s. 2, for cl. (39) (w.e.f. 14-11-1994).
3. Ins. by s. 2, ibid. (w.e.f. 14-11-1994).
14
(49) “weight” means the total weight transmitted for the time being by the wheels of a vehicle to the
surface on which the vehicle rests 1[or moves].
2[2A. e-cart and e-rickshaw.—(1) Save as otherwise provided in the proviso to sub-section (1) of
section 7 and sub-section (10) of section 9, the provisions of this Act shall apply to e-cart and e-rickshaw.
(2) For the purposes of this section, “e-cart or e-rickshaw” means a special purpose battery powered
vehicle of power not exceeding 4000 watts, having three wheels for carrying goods or passengers, as the
case may be, for hire or reward, manufactured, constructed or adapted, equipped and maintained in
accordance with such specifications, as may be prescribed in this behalf.]
3[2B. Promotion of innovation.—Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act and subject to such
conditions as may be prescribed by the Central Government, in order to promote innovation, research and
development in the fields of vehicular engineering, mechanically propelled vehicles and transportation in
general, the Central Government may exempt certain types of mechanically propelled vehicles from the
application of the provisions of this Act.]
CHAPTER II
LICENSING OF DRIVERS OF MOTOR VEHICLES
3. Necessity for driving licence.—(1) No person shall drive a motor vehicle in any public place
unless he holds an effective driving licence issued to him authorising him to drive the vehicle; and no
person shall so drive a transport vehicle [other than 4[a motor cab or motor cycle] hired for his own use or
rented under any scheme made under sub-section (2) of section 75] unless his driving licence specifically
entitles him so to do.
(2) The conditions subject to which sub-section (1) shall not apply to a person receiving instructions
in driving a motor vehicle shall be such as may be prescribed by the Central Government.
4. Age limit in connection with driving of motor vehicles.—(1) No person under the age of
eighteen years shall drive a motor vehicle in any public place:
Provided that 5[a motor cycle with engine capacity not exceeding 50cc] may be driven in a public
place by a person after attaining the age of sixteen years.
(2) Subject to the provisions of section 18, no person under the age of twenty years shall drive a
transport vehicle in any public place.
(3) No learner’s licence or driving licence shall be issued to any person to drive a vehicle of the class
to which he has made an application unless he is eligible to drive that class of vehicle under this section.
5. Responsibility of owners of motor vehicles for contravention of sections 3 and 4.—No owner
or person in charge of a motor vehicle shall cause or permit any person who does not satisfy the
provisions of section 3 or section 4 to drive the vehicle.
6. Restrictions on the holding of driving licences.—(1) No person shall, while he holds any driving
licence for the time being in force, hold any other driving licence except a learner’s licence or a driving
licence issued in accordance with the provisions of section 18 or a document authorising, in accordance
with the rules made under section 139, the person specified therein to drive a motor vehicle.
(2) No holder of a driving licence or a learner’s licence shall permit it to be used by any other person.
(3) Nothing in this section shall prevent a licensing authority having the jurisdiction referred to in
sub-section (1) of section 9 from adding to the classes of vehicles which the driving licence authorises the
holder to drive.
1. Ins. by Act 32 of 2019, s. 2 (w.e.f. 1-9-2019).
2. Ins. by Act 3 of 2015, s. 2 (w.e.f. 7-1-2015).
3. Ins. by Act 32 of 2019, s. 3 (w.e.f. 1-9-2019).
4. Subs. by Act 54 of 1994, s. 3 for “a motor cab” (w.e.f. 14-11-1994).
5. Subs. by s. 4, ibid., for “a motor cycle without gear” (w.e.f. 14-11-1994).
15
7. Restrictions on the granting of learner’s licences for certain vehicles.—1[(1) No person shall
be granted a learner’s licence to drive a transport vehicle unless he has held a driving licence to
drive a light motor vehicle for at least one year:]
2[Provided that nothing contained in this sub-section shall apply to an e-cart or e-rickshaw.]
(2) No person under the age of eighteen years shall be granted a learner’s licence to drive a motor
cycle without gear except with the consent in writing of the person having the care of the person desiring
the learner’s licence.
8. Grant of learner’s licence.—(1) Any person who is not disqualified under section 4 for driving a
motor vehicle and who is not for the time being disqualified for holding or obtaining a driving licence
may, subject to the provisions of section 7, apply to 3[any of the licensing authority in the State]—
(i) in which he ordinarily resides or carries on business, or
(ii) in which the school or establishment referred to in section 12 from where he intends to
receive instruction in driving a motor vehicle is situate,
for the issue to him of a learner’s licence.
(2) Every application under sub-section (1) shall be in such form and shall be accompanied by such
documents 4[with such fee and submit in such manner, including electronic means] as may be prescribed
by the Central Government.
(3) Every application 5[to drive a transport vehicle made] under sub-section (1) shall be accompanied
by a medical certificate in such form as may be prescribed by the Central Government and signed by such
registered medical practitioner, as the State Government or any person authorised in this behalf by the
State Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, appoint for this purpose:
6* * * * *
(4) If, from the application or from the medical certificate referred to in sub-section (3), it appears that
the applicant is suffering from any disease or disability which is likely to cause the driving by him of a
motor vehicle of the class which he would be authorised by the learner’s licence applied for to drive to be
a source of danger to the public or to the passengers, the licensing authority shall refuse to issue the
learner’s licence:
Provided that a learner’s licence limited to driving an 7[adapted vehicle] may be issued to the
applicant, if the licensing authority is satisfied that he is fit to drive such a carriage.
(5) No learner’s licence shall be issued to any applicant unless he 8[satisfies such conditions] as may
be prescribed by the Central Government.
(6) When an application has been duly made to the appropriate licensing authority and the applicant
has satisfied such authority of his physical fitness under sub-section (3) and has passed to the satisfaction
of the licensing authority the test referred to in sub-section (5), the licensing authority shall, subject to the
provisions of section 7, issue the applicant a learner’s licence unless the applicant is disqualified under
section 4 for driving a motor vehicle or is for the time being disqualified for holding or obtaining a
licence to drive a motor vehicle:
Provided that a licensing authority may issue a learner’s licence to drive a motor cycle or a light
motor vehicle notwithstanding that it is not the appropriate licensing authority, if such authority is
satisfied that there is good reason for the applicant’s inability to apply to the appropriate licensing
authority.
1. Subs. by Act 54 of 1994, s. 5, for sub-section (1) (w.e.f. 14-11-1994).
2. Ins. by Act 3 of 2015, s. 3 (w.e.f. 7-1-2015).
3. Subs. by Act 32 of 2019, s. 4, for “the licensing authority having jurisdiction in the area” (w.e.f. 1-9-2019).
4. Subs. by s. 4, ibid., for “and with such fee” (w.e.f. 1-9-2019).
5. Ins. by s. 4, ibid. (w.e.f. 1-9-2019).
6. The proviso omitted by s. 4, ibid. (w.e.f. 1-9-2019).
7. Subs. by s. 4, ibid., for “invalid carriage” (w.e.f. 1-9-2019).
8. Subs. by s. 4, ibid., for “passes to the satisfaction of the licensing authority such test” (w.e.f. 1-4-2021).
16
1[Provided further that a licencing authority may issue a learner’s licence in electronic form and such
manner as may be prescribed by the Central Government:
Provided also that the licensing authority may, before issuing the license, verify the identity of the
applicant in such manner as may be prescribed by the Central Government.]
(7) Where the Central Government is satisfied that it is necessary or expedient so to do, it may, by
rules made in this behalf, exempt generally, either absolutely or subject to such conditions as may be
specified in the rules, any class of persons from the provisions of sub-section (3), or sub-section (5), or
both.
(8) Any learner’s licence for driving a motor cycle in force immediately before the commencement of
this Act shall, after such commencement, be deemed to be effective for driving a motor cycle with or
without gear.
9. Grant of driving licence—(1) Any person who is not for the time being disqualified for holding or
obtaining a driving licence may apply to 2[any licensing authority in the State]—
(i) in which he ordinarily resides or carries on business, or
(ii) in which the school or establishment referred to in section 12 from where he is receiving or
has received instruction in driving a motor vehicle is situated,
for the issue to him of a driving licence.
(2) Every application under sub-section (1) shall be in such form and shall be accompanied by such
fee and such documents as may be prescribed by the Central Government.
3[(3) If the applicant passes such test as may be prescribed by the Central Government, he shall be
issued the driving licence:
Provided that no such test shall be necessary where the applicant produces proof to show that—
(a) (i) the applicant has previously held a driving licence to drive such class of vehicle and that
the period between the date of expiry of that licence and the date of the application does not exceed
five years, or
(ii) the applicant holds or has previously held a driving licence to drive such class of vehicle
issued under section 18, or
(iii) the applicant holds a driving licence to drive such class of vehicle issued by a competent
authority of any country outside India, subject to the condition that the applicant complies with the
provisions of sub-section (3) of section 8,
(b) the applicant is not suffering from any disability which is likely to cause the driving by him to
be a source of danger to the public; and the licensing authority may, for that purpose, require the
applicant to produce a medical certificate in the same form and in the same manner as is referred to in
sub-section (3) of section 8:
4[Provided further that a driving licence for driving an adapted vehicle may be issued to the
applicant, if the licensing authority is satisfied that he is fit to drive such motor vehicle.]]
(4) Where the application is for a licence to drive a transport vehicle, no such authorisation shall be
granted to any applicant unless he possesses 5*** a driving certificate issued by a school or establishment
referred to in section 12.
6[(5) Where the applicant does not pass the test; he may be permitted to re-appear for the test after a
period of seven days:
1. Ins. by Act 32 of 2019, s. 4 (w.e.f. 1-4-2021).
2. Subs. by s. 5, ibid., for “the licensing authority having jurisdiction in the area” (w.e.f. 1-9-2019).
3. Subs. by Act 54 of 1994, s. 7, for sub-section (3) (w.e.f. 14-11-1994).
4. Subs. by Act 32 of 2019, s. 5, for the second proviso (w.e.f. 1-9-2019).
5. The words “such minimum educational qualification as may be prescribed by the Central Government and” omitted by s. 5,
ibid (w.e.f. 1-9-2019).
6. Subs. by Act 54 of 1994, s. 7, for sub-section (5) (w.e.f. 14-11-1994).
17
Provided that where the applicant does not pass the test even after three appearances, he shall not be
qualified to re-appear for such test before the expiry of a period of sixty days from the date of last such
test 1[and such applicant shall be required to complete a remedial driver training course from any school
or establishment under section 12].]
(6) The test of competence to drive shall be carried out in a vehicle of the type to which the
application refers:
Provided that a person who passed a test in driving a motor cycle with gear shall be deemed also to
have passed a test in driving a motor cycle without gear.
(7) When any application has been duly made to the appropriate licensing authority and the applicant
has satisfied such authority of his competence to drive, the licensing authority shall issue the applicant a
driving licence unless the applicant is for the time being disqualified for holding or obtaining a driving
licence:
Provided that a licensing authority may issue a driving licence to drive a motor cycle or a light motor
vehicle notwithstanding that it is not the appropriate licensing authority, if the licensing authority is
satisfied that there is good and sufficient reason for the applicant’s inability to apply to the appropriate
licensing authority:
Provided further that the licensing authority shall not issue a new driving licence to the applicant, if
he had previously held a driving licence, unless it is satisfied that there is good and sufficient reason for
his inability to obtain a duplicate copy of his former licence.
(8) If the licensing authority is satisfied, after giving the applicant an opportunity of being heard, that
he—
(a) is a habitual criminal or a habitual drunkard; or
(b) is a habitual addict to any narcotic drug or psychotropic substance within the meaning of the
Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 (61 of 1985); or
(c) is a person whose licence to drive any motor vehicle has, at any time earlier, been revoked,
it may, for reasons to be recorded in writing, make an order refusing to issue a driving licence to such
person and any person aggrieved by an order made by a licensing authority under this sub-section may,
within thirty days of the receipt of the order, appeal to the prescribed authority.
(9) Any driving licence for driving a motor cycle in force immediately before the commencement of
this Act shall, after such commencement, be deemed to be effective for driving a motor cycle with or
without gear.
2[(10) Notwithstanding anything contained in this section, the driving licence to drive e-cart or
e-rickshaw shall be issued in such manner and subject to such conditions, as may be prescribed.]
10. Form and contents of licences to drive.—(1) Every learner’s licence and driving licence, except
a driving licence issued under section 18, shall be in such form and shall contain such information as may
be prescribed by the Central Government.
(2) A learner’s licence or, as the case may be, driving licence shall also be expressed as entitling the
holder to drive a motor vehicle of one or more of the following classes, namely:—
(a) motor cycle without gear;
(b) motor cycle with gear;
(c) 3[adapted vehicle];
(d) light motor vehicle;
4[(e) transport vehicle;]
(i) road-roller;
(j) motor vehicle of a specified description.
1. Ins. by Act 32 of 2019, s. 5 (w.e.f. 1-4-2021).
2. Ins. by Act 3 of 2015, s. 4 (w.e.f. 7-1-2015).
3. Subs. by Act 32 of 2019, s. 6, for “invalid carriage” (w.e.f. 1-9-2019).
4. Subs. by Act 54 of 1994, s. 8, for cls. (e) to (h) (w.e.f. 14-11-1994).
18
11. Additions to driving licence.—(1) Any person holding a driving licence to drive any class or
description of motor vehicles, who is not for the time being disqualified for holding or obtaining a driving
licence to drive any other class or description of motor vehicles, may apply to 1[any licensing authority in
the State] in which he resides or carries on his business in such form and accompanied by such documents
and with such fees as may be prescribed by the Central Government for the addition of such other class or
description of motor vehicles to the licence.
(2) Subject to such rules as may be prescribed by the Central Government, the provisions of section 9
shall apply to an application under this section as if the said application were for the grant of a licence
under that section to drive the class or description of motor vehicles which the applicant desires to be
added to his licence.
2[Provided that the licensing authority may, before issuing the license verify the identity of the
applicant in such manner as may be prescribed by the Central Government.]
12. Licensing and regulation of schools or establishments for imparting instruction in driving of
motor vehicles.—(1) The Central Government may make rules for the purpose of licensing and
regulating, by the State Governments, schools or establishments (by whatever name called) for imparting
instruction in driving of motor vehicles and matters connected therewith.
(2) In particular, and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing power, such rules may
provide for all or any of the following matters, namely:—
(a) licensing of such schools or establishments including grant, renewal and revocation of such
licences;
(b) supervision of such schools or establishments;
(c) the form of application and the form of licence and the particulars to be contained therein;
(d) fee to be paid with the application for such licences;
(e) conditions subject to which such licences may be granted;
(f) appeals against the orders of refusal to grant or renew such licences and appeals against the
orders revoking such licences;
(g) conditions subject to which a person may establish and maintain any such school or
establishment for imparting instruction in driving of motor vehicles;
(h) nature, syllabus and duration of course or courses for efficient instruction in driving any
motor vehicle;
(i) apparatus and equipments (including motor vehicles fitted with dual control) required for the
purpose of imparting such instruction;
(j) suitability of the premises at which such schools or establishments may be established or
maintained and facilities to be provided therein;
(k) qualifications, both educational and professional (including experience), which a person
imparting instruction in driving a motor vehicle shall possess;
(l) inspection of such schools and establishments (including the services rendered by them and
the apparatus, equipments and motor vehicles maintained by them for imparting such instruction);
(m) maintenance of records by such schools or establishments;
(n) financial stability of such schools or establishments;
(o) the driving certificates, if any, to be issued by such schools or establishments and the form in
which such driving certificates shall be issued and the requirements to be complied with for the
purposes of issuing such certificates;
(p) such other matters as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this section.
(3) Where the Central Government is satisfied that it is necessary or expedient so to do, it may, by
rules made in this behalf, exempt generally, either absolutely or subject to such conditions as may be
1. Subs. by Act 32 of 2019, s. 7, for “the licensing authority having jurisdiction in the area” (w.e.f. 1-9-2019).
2. Ins. by s. 7, ibid. (w.e.f. 1-4-2021).
19
specified in the rules, any class of schools or establishments imparting instruction in driving of motor
vehicles or matters connected therewith from the provisions of this section.
(4) A school or establishment imparting instruction in driving of motor vehicles or matters connected
therewith immediately before the commencement of this Act whether under a licence or not, may
continue to impart such instruction without a licence issued under this Act for a period of one month from
such commencement, and if it has made an application for such licence under this Act within the said
period of one month and such application is in the prescribed form, contains the prescribed particulars and
is accompanied by the prescribed fee, till the disposal of such application by the licensing authority.
1[(5) Notwithstanding anything contained in any other provision, where any school or establishment
has been accredited by a body notified by the Central Government under any other law for the time being
in force, any person who has successfully completed a training module at such school or establishment
covering a particular type of motor vehicle shall be eligible to obtain a driving licence for such type of
motor vehicle.
(6) The curriculum of the training module referred to in sub-section (5) and the remedial driver
training course referred to in sub-section (5) of section 9 shall be such as may be prescribed by the
Central Government and that Government may make rules for the regulation of such schools or
establishments.]
13. Extent of effectiveness of licences, to drive motor vehicles.—A learner’s licence or a driving
licence issued under this Act shall be effective throughout India.
14. Currency of licences to drive motor vehicles.—(1) A learner’s licence issued under this Act
shall, subject to the other provisions of this Act, be effective for a period of six months from the date of
issue of the licence.
(2) A driving licence issued or renewed under this Act shall,—
(a) in the case of a licence to drive a transport vehicle, be effective for a period of 2[five years]:
3***
4[Provided that in the case of licence to drive a transport vehicle carrying goods of dangerous
or hazardous nature be effective for a period of 5[three years and renewal thereof shall be subject to
such conditions as the Central Government may prescribe; and];]
6[(b) in the case of any other licence, subject to such conditions as the Central Government may
prescribe, if the person obtaining the licence, either originally or on renewal thereof,—
(i) has not attained the age of thirty years on the date of issue or, renewal thereof, be effective
until the date on which such person attains the age of forty years; or
(ii) has attained the age of thirty years but has not attained the age of fifty years on the date of
issue or, renewal thereof, be effective for a period of ten years from the date of such issue or
renewal; or
(iii) has attained the age of fifty years but has not attained the age of fifty-five years on the
date of issue or, renewal thereof, be effective until the date on which such person attains the age
of sixty years; or
(iv) has attained the age of fifty-five years on the date of issue or as the case may be, renewal
thereof, be effective for a period of five years from the date of such issue or renewal.]
7* * * * *
15. Renewal of driving licences.—(1) Any licensing authority may, on application made to it, renew
a driving licence issued under the provisions of this Act with effect from the date of its expiry:
1. Ins. by Act 32 of 2019, s. 8 (w.e.f. 1-7-2021).
2. Subs. by s. 9, ibid., for “three years” (w.e.f. 1-9-2019).
3. The word “and” omitted by Act 54 of 1994, s. 9 (w.e.f. 14-11-1994).
4. Ins. by s. 9, ibid. (w.e.f. 14-11-1994).
5. Subs. by Act 32 of 2019, s. 9, for certain words (w.e.f. 1-9-2019).
6. Subs. by s. 9, ibid., for cl. (b) (w.e.f. 1-9-2019).
7. The proviso omitted by s. 9, ibid. (w.e.f. 1-9-2019).
20
Provided that in any case where the application for the renewal of a licence is made 1[either one year
prior to date of its expiry or within one year] after the date of its expiry, the driving licence shall be
renewed with effect from the date of its renewal:
Provided further that where the application is for the renewal of a licence to drive a transport vehicle
or where in any other case the applicant has attained the age of forty years, the same shall be
accompanied by a medical certificate in the same form and in the same manner as is referred to in
sub-section (3) of section 8, and the provisions of sub-section (4) of section 8 shall, so far as may be,
apply in relation to every such case as they apply in relation to a learner’s licence.
(2) An application for the renewal of a driving licence shall be made in such form and accompanied
by such documents as may be prescribed by the Central Government.
(3) Where an application for the renewal of a driving licence is made previous to, or not more than
2[one year] after the date of its expiry, the fee payable for such renewal shall be such as may be prescribed
by the Central Government in this behalf.
(4) Where an application for the renewal of a driving licence is made more than 2[one year] after the
date of its expiry, the fee payable for such renewal shall be such amount as may be prescribed by the
Central Government:
Provided that the fee referred to in sub-section (3) may be accepted by the licensing authority in
respect of an application for the renewal of a driving licence made under this sub-section if it is satisfied
that the applicant was prevented by good and sufficient cause from applying within the time specified in
sub-section (3):
Provided further that if the application is made more than 3[one year after the driving licence has
ceased to be effective, the licensing authority shall] refuse to renew the driving licence, unless the
applicant undergoes and passes to its satisfaction the test of competence to drive referred to in
sub-section (3) of section 9.
(5) Where the application for renewal has been rejected, the fee paid shall be refunded to such extent
and in such manner as may be prescribed by the Central Government.
(6) Where the authority renewing the driving licence is not the authority which issued the driving
licence it shall intimate the fact of renewal to the authority which issued the driving licence.
16. Revocation of driving licence on grounds of disease or disability.—Notwithstanding anything
contained in the foregoing sections, any licensing authority may at any time revoke a driving licence or
may require, as a condition of continuing to hold such driving licence, the holder thereof to produce a
medical certificate in the same form and in the same manner as is referred to in sub-section (3) of
section 8, if the licensing authority has reasonable grounds to belive that the holder of the driving licence
is, by virtue of any disease or disability, unfit to drive a motor vehicle and where the authority revoking a
driving licence is not the authority which issued the same, it shall intimate the fact of revocation to the
authority which issued that licence.
17. Orders refusing or revoking driving licences and appeals therefrom—(1) Where a licensing
authority refuses to issue any learner’s licence or to issue or renew, or revokes, any driving licence, or
refuses to add a class or description of motor vehicle to any driving licence, it shall do so by an order
communicated to the applicant or the holder, as the case may be, giving the reasons in writing for such
refusal or revocation.
(2) Any person aggrieved by an order made under sub-section (1) may, within thirty days of the
service on him of the order, appeal to the prescribed authority which shall decide the appeal after giving
such person and the authority which made the order an opportunity of being heard and the decision of the
appellate authority shall be binding on the authority which made the order.
1. Subs. by Act 32 of 2019, s. 10, for “more than thirty days” (w.e.f. 1-9-2019).
2. Subs. by s. 10, ibid., for “thirty days” (w.e.f. 1-9-2019).
3. Subs. by s. 10, ibid., for “five years after the driving licence has ceased to be effective, the licensing authority may”
(w.e.f. 1-9-2019).
21
18. Driving licences to drive motor vehicles, belonging to the Central Government.—(1) Such
authority as may be prescribed by the Central Government may issue driving licence valid throughout
India to persons who have completed their eighteenth year to drive motor vehicles which are the property
or for the time being under the exclusive control of the Central Government and are used for Government
purposes relating to the defence of the country and unconnected with any commercial enterprise.
(2) A driving licence issued under this section shall specify the class or description of vehicle which
the holder is entitled to drive and the period for which he is so entitled.
(3) A driving licence issued under this section shall not entitle the holder to drive any motor vehicle
except a motor vehicle referred to in sub-section (1).
(4) The authority issuing any driving licence under this section shall, at the request of any State
Government, furnish such information respecting any person to whom a driving licence is issued as that
Government may at any time require.
19. Power of licensing authority to disqualify from holding a driving licence or revoke such
licence.—(1) If a licensing authority is satisfied, after giving the holder of a driving licence an
opportunity of being heard, that he—
(a) is a habitual criminal or a habitual drunkard; or
(b) is a habitual addict to any narcotic drug or psychotropic substance within the meaning of the
Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 (61 of 1985); or
(c) is using or has used a motor vehicle in the commission of a cognizable offence; or
(d) has by his previous conduct as driver of a motor vehicle shown that his driving is likely to be
attended with danger to the public; or
(e) has obtained any driving licence or a licence to drive a particular class or description of motor
vehicle by fraud or misrepresentation; or
(f) has committed any such act which is likely to cause nuisance or danger to the public, as may
be prescribed by the Central Government, having regard to the objects of this Act; or
(g) has failed to submit to, or has not passed, the tests referred to in the proviso to sub-section (3)
of section 22; or
(h) being a person under the age of eighteen years who has been granted a learner’s licence or a
driving licence with the consent in writing of the person having the care of the holder of the licence
and has ceased to be in such care,
it may, for reasons to be recorded in writing, make an order—
(i) disqualifying that person for a specified period for holding or obtaining any driving licence to
drive all or any classes or descriptions of vehicles specified in the licence; or
(ii) revoke any such licence.
1[(1A) Where a licence has been forwarded to the licensing authority under sub-section (4) of
section 206, the licensing authority, if satisfied after giving the holder of the driving licence an
opportunity of being heard, may either discharge the holder of a driving licence or, it may for detailed
reasons recorded in writing, make an order disqualifying such person from holding or obtaining any
licence to drive all or any class or description of vehicles specified in the licence—
(a) for a first offence, for a period of three months;
(b) for a second or subsequent offence, with revocation of the driving licence of such person:
Provided that where a driving licence is revoked under this section, the name of the holder of such
driving licence may be placed in the public domain in such manner as may be prescribed by the Central
Government.]
1. Ins. by Act 32 of 2019, s. 11 (w.e.f. 1-4-2021).
22
(2) Where an order under sub-section (1) 1[or sub-section (1A)] is made, the holder of a driving
licence shall forthwith surrender his driving licence to the licensing authority making the order, if the
driving licence has not already been surrendered, and the licensing authority shall,—
(a) if the driving licence is a driving licence issued under this Act, keep it until the
disqualification has expired or has been removed; or
(b) if it is not a driving licence issued under this Act, endorse the disqualification upon it and send
it to the licensing authority by which it was issued; or
(c) in the case of revocation of any licence, endorse the revocation upon it and if it is not the
authority which issued the same, intimate the fact of revocation to the authority which issued that
licence:
2[Provided that the driving licence shall be returned to the holder at the end of the period of
disqualification only if he successfully completes the driver refresher training course.]
3[(2A) The licence holder whose licence has been suspended shall undergo the driver refresher training
course from a school or establishment licenced and regulated under section 12 or such other agency, as
may be notified by the Central Government.
(2B) The nature, syllabus and duration of the driver refresher training course shall be such as may be
prescribed by the Central Government.]
(3) Any person aggrieved by an order made by a licensing authority under sub-section (1) 1[or
sub-section (1A)] may, within thirty days of the receipt of the order, appeal to the prescribed authority,
and such appellate authority shall give notice to the licensing authority and hear either party if so required
by that party and may pass such order as it thinks fit and an order passed by any such appellate authority
shall be final.
20. Power of Court to disqualify.—(1) Where a person is convicted of an offence under this Act or
of an offence in the commission of which a motor vehicle was used, the Court by which such person is
convicted may, subject to the provisions of this Act, in addition to imposing any other punishment
authorised by law, declare the persons so convicted to be disqualified, for such period as the Court may
specify, from holding any driving licence to drive all classes or description of vehicles, or any particular
class or description of such vehicles, as are specified in such licence:
Provided that in respect of an offence punishable under section 183 no such order shall be made for
the first or second offence.
(2) Where a person is convicted of an offence under clause (c) of sub-section (1) of section 132,
section 134 or section 185, the Court convicting any person of any such offence shall order the
disqualification under sub-section (1), and if the offence is relatable to clause (c) of sub-section (1) of
section 132 or section 134, such disqualification shall be for a period of not less than one month, and if
the offence is relatable to section 185, such disqualification shall be for a period of not less than six
months.
(3) A Court shall, unless for special reasons to be recorded in writing it thinks fit to order otherwise,
order the disqualification of a person—
(a) who having been convicted of an offence punishable under section 184 is again convicted of
an offence punishable under that section,
(b) who is convicted of an offence punishable under section 189, or
(c) who is convicted of an offence punishable under section 192:
Provided that the period of disqualification shall not exceed, in the case referred to in clause (a), five
years, or, in the case referred to in clause (b), two years or, in the case referred to in clause (c), one year.
1. Ins. by Act 32 of 2019, s. 11 (w.e.f. 1-4-2021).
2. Subs. by s. 11, ibid., for the proviso (w.e.f. 1-4-2021).
3. Ins. by s. 11, ibid. (w.e.f. 1-4-2021).
23
(4) A Court ordering the disqualification of a person convicted of an offence punishable under
section 184 may direct that such person shall, whether he has previously passed the test of competence to
drive as referred to in sub-section (3) of section 9 or not, remain disqualified until he has subsequent to
the making of the order of disqualification passed that test to the satisfaction of the licensing authority.
(5) The Court to which an appeal would ordinarily lie from any conviction of an offence of the nature
specified in sub-section (1) may set aside or vary any order of disqualification made under that
sub-section notwithstanding that no appeal would lie against the conviction as a result of which such
order of disqualification was made.
21. Suspension of driving licence in certain cases.—(1) Where, in relation to a person who had
been previously convicted of an offence punishable under section 184, a case is registered by a police
officer on the allegation that such person has, by such dangerous driving as is referred to in the said
section 184, of any class or description of motor vehicle caused the death of, or grievous hurt to, one or
more persons, the driving licence held by such person shall in relation to such class or description of
motor vehicle become suspended—
(a) for a period of six months from the date on which the case is registered, or
(b) if such person is discharged or acquitted before the expiry of the period aforesaid, until such
discharge or acquittal, as the case may be.
(2) Where by virtue of the provisions of sub-section (1), the driving licence held by a person becomes
suspended, the police officer, by whom the case referred to in sub-section (1) is registered, shall bring
such suspension to the notice of the Court competent to take cognizance of such offence, and thereupon,
such Court shall take possession of the driving licence, endorse the suspension thereon and intimate the
fact of such endorsement to the licensing authority by which the licence was granted or last renewed.
(3) Where the person referred to in sub-section (1) is acquitted or discharged, the Court shall cancel
the endorsement on such driving licence with regard to the suspension thereof.
(4) If a driving licence in relation to a particular class or description of motor vehicles is suspended
under sub-section (1), the person holding such licence shall be debarred from holding or obtaining any
licence to drive such particular class or description of motor vehicles so long as the suspension of the
driving licence remains in force.
22. Suspension or cancellation of driving licence on conviction.—(1) Without prejudice to the
provisions of sub-section (3) of section 20 where a person, referred to in sub-section (1) of section 21 is
convicted of an offence of causing, by such dangerous driving as is referred to in section 184 of any class
or description of motor vehicle the death of, or grievous hurt to, one or more persons, the Court by which
such person is convicted may cancel, or suspend for such period as it may think fit, the driving licence
held by such person in so far as it relates to that class or description of motor vehicle.
(2) Without prejudice to the provisions of sub-section (2) of section 20, if a person, having been
previously convicted of an offence punishable under section 185 is again convicted of an offence
punishable under that section, the Court, making such subsequent conviction, shall, by order, cancel the
driving licence held by such person.
(3) If a driving licence is cancelled or suspended under this section, the Court shall take the driving
licence in its custody, endorse the cancellation or, as the case may be, suspension, thereon and send the
driving licence so endorsed to the authority by which the licence was issued or last renewed and such
authority shall, on receipt of the licence, keep the licence in its safe custody, and in the case of a
suspended licence, return the licence to the holder thereof after the expiry of the period of suspension on
an application made by him for such return:
Provided that no such licence shall be returned unless the holder thereof has, after the expiry of the
period of suspension, undergone and passed, to the satisfaction of the licensing authority by which the
licence was issued or last renewed, a fresh test of competence to drive referred to in sub-section (3) of
section 9 and produced a medical certificate in the same form and in the same manner as is referred to in
sub-section (3) of section 8.
24
(4) If a licence to drive a particular class or description of motor vehicles is cancelled or suspended
under this section, the person holding such a licence shall be debarred from holding, or obtaining, any
licence to drive such particular class or description of motor vehicles so long as the cancellation or
suspension of the driving licence remains in force.
23. Effect of disqualification order.—(1) A person in respect of whom any disqualification order is
made under section 19 or section 20 shall be debarred to the extent and for the period specified in such
order from holding or obtaining a driving licence and the driving licence, if any, held by such person at
the date of the order shall cease to be effective to such extent and during such period.
(2) The operation of a disqualification order made under section 20 shall not be suspended or
postponed while an appeal is pending against such order or against the conviction as a result of which
such order is made, unless the appellate court so directs.
(3) Any person in respect of whom any disqualification order has been made may at any time after the
expiry of six months from the date of the order apply to the Court or other authority by which the order
was made, to remove the disqualification; and the Court or authority, as the case may be, may, having
regard to all the circumstances, either cancel or vary the disqualification order:
Provided that where the Court or other authority refuses to cancel or vary any disqualification order
under this section, a second application thereunder shall not be entertained before the expiry of a period
of three months from the date of such refusal.
24. Endorsement.—(1) The Court or authority making an order of disqualification shall endorse or
cause to be endorsed upon the driving licence if any, held by the person disqualified, particulars of the
order of disqualification and of any conviction of an offence in respect of which an order of
disqualification is made; and particulars of any cancellation or variation of an order of disqualification
made under sub-section (3) of section 23 shall be similarly so endorsed.
(2) A Court by which any person is convicted of an offence under this Act as may be prescribed by
the Central Government, having regard to the objects of this Act, shall, whether or not a disqualification
order is made in respect of such conviction, endorse or cause to be endorsed particulars of such
conviction on any driving licence held by the person convicted.
(3) Any person accused of an offence prescribed under sub-section (2) shall when attending the Court
bring with him his driving licence if it is in his possession.
(4) Where any person is convicted of any offence under this Act and sentenced to imprisonment for a
period exceeding three months the Court awarding the sentence shall endorse the fact of such sentence
upon the driving licence of the person concerned and the prosecuting authority shall intimate the fact of
such endorsement to the authority by which the driving licence was granted or last renewed.
(5) When the driving licence is endorsed or caused to be endorsed by any Court, such Court shall
send the particulars of the endorsement to the licensing authority by which the driving licence was
granted or last renewed.
(6) Where on an appeal against any conviction or order of a Court, which has been endorsed on a
driving licence, the appellate court varies or sets aside the conviction or order, the appellate court shall
inform the licensing authority by which the driving licence was granted or last renewed and such
authority shall amend or cause to be amended the endorsement.
25. Transfer of endorsement and issue of driving licence free from endorsement.—(1) An
endorsement on any driving licence shall be transferred to any new or duplicate driving licence obtained
by the holder thereof until the holder becomes entitled under the provisions of this section to have a
driving licence issued to him free from endorsement.
25
(2) Where a driving licence is required to be endorsed and the driving licence is not in the possession
of the Court or authority by which the endorsement is to be made, then—
(a) if the person in respect of whom the endorsement is to be made is at the time the holder of a
driving licence, he shall produce the driving licence to the Court or authority within five days, or such
longer time as the Court or authority may fix; or
(b) if, not being then the holder of a driving licence, he subsequently obtains a driving licence, he
shall within five days after obtaining the driving licence produce it to the Court or authority,
and if the driving licence is not produced within the time specified, it shall, on the expiration of such time,
be of no effect until it is produced for the purpose of endorsement.
(3) A person whose driving licence has been endorsed shall, if during a continuous period of three
years after such endorsement no further endorsement has been made against him, be entitled on
surrendering his driving licence and on payment of a fee of five rupees, to receive a new driving licence
free from all endorsements:
Provided that if the endorsement is only in respect of an offence contravening the speed limits
referred to in section 112, such person shall be entitled to receive a new driving licence free from such
endorsements on the expiration of one year of the date of the endorsement:
Provided further that in reckoning the said period of three years and one year, respectively, any period
during which the said person was disqualified for holding or obtaining a driving licence shall be excluded.
1[25A. National Register of Driving Licences.—(1) The Central Government shall maintain a
National Register of Driving Licences in such form and manner as may be prescribed.
(2) All State Registers of Driving Licences shall be subsumed under the National Register of
Driving Licences by a date to be notified by the Central Government.
(3) No driving licence issued, or renewed, under this Act shall be valid unless it has been issued a
unique driving licence number under the National Register of Driving Licences.
(4) All State Governments and licensing authorities under this Act shall transmit all information
including contained data in the State Register of Driving Licences in such form and manner as may be
prescribed by the Central Government.
(5) The State Governments shall be entitled to access the National Register and update their
records in such manner as may be prescribed by the Central Government.]
2[26. Maintenance of State Registers of Driving Licences.— Each State Government shall
maintain, in such form as may be prescribed by the Central Government, a register to be known as the
State Register of Driving Licences, in respect of driving licences issued and renewed by the licensing
authorities of the State Government, containing particulars, including—
(a) names and addresses of holders of driving licences;
(b) licence numbers;
(c) dates of issue or renewal of licences;
(d) dates of expiry of licences;
(e) classes and types of vehicles authorised to be driven; and
(f) such other particulars as the Central Government may prescribe.]
1. Ins. by Act 32 of 2019, s. 12 (w.e.f. 1-4-2021).
2. Subs. by s. 13, ibid., for s. 26 (w.e.f. 1-4-2021).
26
27. Power of Central Government to make rules.—The Central Government may make rules—
1[(a) specifications relating to e-cart and e-rickshaw under sub-section (2) of section 2A;]
2[(aa)] regarding conditions referred to in sub-section (2) of section 3;
(b) providing for the form in which the application for learner’s licence may be made, the
information it shall contain and the documents to be submitted with the application referred to in
sub-section (2) of section 8;
(c) providing for the form of medical certificate referred to in sub-section (3) of section 8;
(d) providing for the particulars for the test referred to in sub-section (5) of section 8;
3[(da) the form and manner in which a licensing authority may issue a learner’s licence under
sub-section (6) of section 8;
(db) the manner in which a licensing authority may verify the identity of the applicant under the
third proviso to sub-section (6) of section 8;]
(e) providing for the form in which the application for driving licence may be made, the
information it shall contain and the documents to be submitted with the application referred to in
sub-section (2) of section 9;
(f) providing for the particulars regarding test of competence to drive, referred to in
sub-section (3) of section 9;
1[(ff) the manner and the conditions subject to which the driving licence may be issued under
sub-section (10) of section 9;]
(g) specifying the minimum educational qualifications of persons to whom licences to drive
transport vehicles may be issued under this Act and the time within which such qualifications are to
be acquired by such persons;
(h) providing for the form and contents of the licences referred to in sub-section (1) of section 10;
(i) providing for the form and contents of the application referred to in sub-section (1) of
section 11 and documents to be submitted with the application and the fee to be charged;
(j) providing for the conditions subject to which section 9 shall apply to an application made
under section 11;
3[(ja) the curriculum of training modules and the regulation of schools and establishments under
sub-section (6) of section 12;
(jb) the conditions for the renewal of licence to drive transport vehicles carrying goods of
dangerous or hazardous nature and other motor vehicles under clause (a) and clause (b) of
sub-section (2) of section 14;
(jc) the manner in which a licensing authority may verify the identity of the applicant under the
third proviso to sub-section (2) of section 11;]
(k) providing for the form and contents of the application referred to in sub-section (1) of
section 15 and the documents to accompany such application under sub-section (2) of section 15;
1. Ins. by Act 3 of 2015, s. 5 (w.e.f. 7-1-2015).
2. Cl. (a) renumbered as cl. (aa) thereof by s. 5, ibid. (w.e.f. 7-1-2015).
3. Ins. by Act 32 of 2019, s. 14 (w.e.f. 1-9-2019).
27
(l) providing for the authority to grant licences under sub-section (1) of section 18;
(m) specifying the fees payable under sub-section (2) of section 8, sub-section (2) of section 9 and
sub-sections (3) and (4) of section 15 for the grant of learner’s licences, and for the grant and renewal
of driving licences and licences for the purpose of regulating the schools or establishment for
imparting instructions in driving motor vehicles;
(n) specifying the acts for the purposes of clause (f) of sub-section (1) of section 19;
1[(na) the manner of placing in the public domain of the name of the licence holder as referred to
in sub-section (1A) of section 19;
(nb) providing for the nature, syllabus and duration of the driver refresher training course as
referred to in sub-section (2B) of section 19;]
(o) specifying the offences under this Act for the purposes of sub-section (2) of section 24;
1[(oa) all or any of the matters referred to in section 25A;]
(p) to provide for all or any of the matters referred to in 2*** section 26;
(q) any other matter which is, or has to be, prescribed by the Central Government.
28. Power of State Government to make rules.—(1) A State Government may make rules for the
purpose of carrying into effect the provisions of this Chapter other than the matters specified in
section 27.
(2) Without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing power, such rules may provide for—
(a) the appointment, jurisdiction, control and functions of licensing authorities and other
prescribed authorities;
(b) the conduct and hearing of appeals that may be preferred under this Chapter, the fees to be
paid in respect of such appeals and the refund of such fees:
Provided that no fee so fixed shall exceed twenty-five rupees;
(c) the issue of duplicate licences to replace licences lost, destroyed or mutilated, the replacement
of photographs which have become obsolete and the fees to be charged therefor;
(d) the badges and uniform to be worn by drivers of transport vehicles and the fees to be paid in
respect of badges;
(e) the fee payable for the issue of a medical certificate under sub-section (3) of section 8;
(f) the exemption of prescribed persons, or prescribed classes of persons, from payment of all or
any portion of the fees payable under this Chapter;
(g) the communication of particulars of licences granted by one licensing authority to other
licensing authorities;
(h) the duties, functions and conduct of such persons to whom licences to drive transport vehicles
are issued;
(i) the exemption of drivers of road-rollers from all or any of the provisions of this Chapter or of
the rules made thereunder;
3* * * *
(k) any other matter which is to be, or may be, prescribed.
1. Ins. by Act 32 of 2019, s. 14 (w.e.f. 1-9-2019).
2. The words, brackets and figure “sub-section (1) of” omitted by s. 14, ibid. (w.e.f. 1-9-2019).
3. Cl. (j) omitted by s. 15, ibid., (w.e.f. 1-4-2021).
28
CHAPTER III
LICENSING OF CONDUCTORS OF STAGE CARRIAGES
29. Necessity for conductor’s licence.—(1) No person shall act as a conductor of a stage carriage
unless he holds an effective conductor’s licence issued to him authorising him to act as such conductor;
and no person shall employ or permit any person who is not so licensed to act as a conductor of a stage
carriage.
(2) A State Government may prescribe the conditions subject to which sub-section (1) shall not apply
to a driver of a stage carriage performing the functions of a conductor or to a person employed to act as a
conductor for a period not exceeding one month.
30. Grant of conductor’s licence.—(1) Any person who possesses such minimum educational
qualification as may be prescribed by the State Government and is not disqualified under sub-section (1)
of section 31 and who is not for the time being disqualified for holding or obtaining a conductor’s licence
may apply to the licensing authority having jurisdiction in the area in which he ordinarily resides or
carries on business for the issue to him of a conductor’s licence.
(2) Every application under sub-section (1) shall be in such form and shall contain such information
as may be prescribed.
(3) Every application for a conductor’s licence shall be accompanied by a medical certificate in such
form as may be prescribed, signed by a registered medical practitioner and shall also be accompanied by
two clear copies of a recent photograph of the applicant.
(4) A conductor’s licence issued under this Chapter shall be in such form and contain such particulars
as may be prescribed and shall be effective throughout the State in which it is issued.
(5) The fee for a conductor’s licence and for each renewal thereof shall be one-half of that for a
driving licence.
31. Disqualifications for the grant of conductor’s licence.—(1) No person under the age of
eighteen years shall hold, or be granted, a conductor’s licence.
(2) The licensing authority may refuse to issue a conductor’s licence—
(a) if the applicant does not possess the minimum educational qualification;
(b) if the medical certificate produced by the applicant discloses that he is physically unfit to act
as a conductor; and
(c) if any previous conductor’s licence held by the applicant was revoked.
32. Revocation of a conductor’s licence on grounds of disease or disability.—A conductor’s
licence may at any time be revoked by any licensing authority if that authority has reasonable grounds to
believe that the holder of the licence is suffering from any disease or disability which is likely to render
him permanently unfit to hold such a licence and where the authority revoking a conductor’s licence is
not the authority which issued the same, it shall intimate the fact of such revocation to the authority which
issued that licence:
Provided that before revoking any licence, the licensing authority shall give the person holding such
licence a reasonable opportunity of being heard.
33. Orders refusing, etc., conductor’s licences and appeals therefrom.—(1) Where a licensing
authority refuses to issue or renew, or revokes any conductor’s licence, it shall do so by an order
communicated to the applicant or the holder, as the case may be, giving the reasons in writing for such
refusal or revocation.
(2) Any person aggrieved by an order made under sub-section (1) may, within thirty days of the
service on him of the order, appeal to the prescribed authority which shall decide the appeal after giving
such person and the authority which made the order an opportunity of being heard and the decision of the
appellate authority shall be binding on the authority which made the order.
29
34. Power of licensing authority to disqualify.—(1) If any licensing authority is of opinion that it is
necessary to disqualify the holder of a conductor’s licence for holding or obtaining such a licence on
account of his previous conduct as a conductor, it may, for reasons to be recorded, make an order
disqualifying that person for a specified period, not exceeding one year, for holding or obtaining a
conductor’s licence:
Provided that before disqualifying the holder of a licence, the licensing authority shall give the person
holding such licence a reasonable opportunity of being heard.
(2) Upon the issue of any such order, the holder of the conductor’s licence shall forthwith surrender
the licence to the authority making the order, if the licence has not already been surrendered, and the
authority shall keep the licence until the disqualification has expired or has been removed.
(3) Where the authority disqualifying the holder of a conductor’s licence under this section is not the
authority which issued the licence, it shall intimate the fact of such disqualification to the authority which
issued the same.
(4) Any person aggrieved by an order made under sub-section (1) may, within thirty days of the
service on him of the order, appeal to the prescribed authority which shall decide the appeal after giving
such person and the authority which made the order an opportunity of being heard and the decision of the
appellate authority shall be binding on the authority which made the order.
35. Power of Court to disqualify.—(1) Where any person holding a conductor’s licence is convicted
of an offence under this Act, the Court by which such person is convicted may, in addition to imposing
any other punishment authorised by law, declare the person so convicted to be disqualified for such
period as the Court may specify for holding a conductor’s licence.
(2) The Court to which an appeal lies from any conviction of an offence under this Act may set aside
or vary any order of disqualification made by the Court below, and the Court to which appeals ordinarily
lie from such Court, may set aside or vary any order of disqualification made by that Court,
notwithstanding that no appeal lies against the conviction in connection with which such order was made.
36. Certain provisions of Chapter II to apply to conductor’s licence.—The provisions of
sub-section (2) of section 6, sections 14, 15 and 23, sub-section (1) of section 24 and section 25 shall, so
far as may be, apply in relation to a conductor’s licence, as they apply in relation to a driving licence.
37. Savings.—If any licence to act as a conductor of a stage carriage (by whatever name called) has
been issued in any State and is effective immediately before the commencement of this Act, it shall
continue to be effective, notwithstanding such commencement, for the period for which it would have
been effective, if this Act had not been passed, and every such licence shall be deemed to be a licence
issued under this Chapter as if this Chapter had been in force on the date on which that licence was
granted.
38. Power of State Government to make rules.—(1) A State Government may make rules for the
purpose of carrying into effect the provisions of this Chapter.
(2) Without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing power, such rules may provide for—
(a) the appointment, jurisdiction, control and functions of licensing authorities and other
prescribed authorities under this Chapter;
(b) the conditions subject to which drivers of stage carriages performing the functions of a
conductor and persons temporarily employed to act as conductors may be exempted from the
provisions of sub-section (1) of section 29;
(c) the minimum educational qualifications of conductors; their duties and functions and the
conduct of persons to whom conductor’s licences are issued;
(d) the form of application for conductor’s licences or for renewal of such licences and the
particulars it may contain;
(e) the form in which conductor’s licences may be issued or renewed and the particulars it may
contain;
30
(f) the issue of duplicate licences to replace licences lost, destroyed or mutilated, the replacement
of photographs which have become obsolete and the fees to be charged therefor;
(g) the conduct and hearing of appeals that may be preferred under this Chapter, the fees to be
paid in respect of such appeals and the refund of such fees:
Provided that no fee so fixed shall exceed twenty-five rupees;
(h) the badges and uniform to be worn by conductors of stage carriages and the fees to be paid in
respect of such badges;
(i) the grant of the certificates referred to in sub-section (3) of section 30 by registered medical
practitioners and the form of such certificates;
(j) the conditions subject to which, and the extent to which, a conductor’s licence issued in
another State shall be effective in the State;
(k) the communication of particulars of conductor’s licences from one authority to other
authorities; and
(l) any other matter which is to be, or may be, prescribed.
CHAPTER IV
REGISTRATION OF MOTOR VEHICLES
39. Necessity for registration.—No person shall drive any motor vehicle and no owner of a motor
vehicle shall cause or permit the vehicle to be driven in any public place or in any other place unless the
vehicle is registered in accordance with this Chapter and the certificate of registration of the vehicle has
not been suspended or cancelled and the vehicle carries a registration mark displayed in the prescribed
manner:
Provided that nothing in this section shall apply to a motor vehicle in possession of a dealer subject to
such conditions as may be prescribed by the Central Government.
40. Registration, where to be made.—Subject to the provisions of section 42, section 43 and section
60, every owner of a motor vehicle shall cause the vehicle to be registered by 1[any registering authority
in the State] in whose jurisdiction he has the residence or place of business where the vehicle is normally
kept.
41. Registration, how to be made.—(1) An application by or on behalf of the owner of a motor
vehicle for registration shall be in such form and shall be accompanied by such documents, particulars
and information and shall be made within such period as may be prescribed by the Central Government:
Provided that where a motor vehicle is jointly owned by more persons than one, the application shall
be made by one of them on behalf of all the owners and such applicant shall be deemed to be the owner of
the motor vehicle for the purposes of this Act.
2[Provided further that in the case of a new motor vehicle, the application for registration in the State
shall be made by the dealer of such motor vehicle, if the new motor vehicle is being registered in the same
State in which the dealer is situated.]
(2) An application referred to in sub-section (1) shall be accompanied by such fee as may be
prescribed by the Central Government.
(3) The registering authority shall issue 3[a certificate of registration in the name of the owner] in such
form and containing such particulars and information and in such manner as may be prescribed by the
Central Government.
1. Subs. by Act 32 of 2019, s. 16, for “a registering authority” (w.e.f. 1-9-2019).
2. Ins. by s. 17, ibid. (w.e.f. 1-4-2021).
3. Subs. by s. 17, ibid., for “to the owner of a motor vehicle registered by it a certificate of registration” (w.e.f. 1-9-2019).
31
(4) In addition to the other particulars required to be included in the certificate of registration, it shall
also specify the type of the motor vehicle, being a type as the Central Government may, having regard to
the design, construction and use of the motor vehicle, by notification in the Official Gazette, specify.
(5) The registering authority shall enter the particulars of the certificate referred to in sub-section (3)
in a register to be maintained in such form and manner as may be prescribed by the Central Government.
(6) The registering authority shall assign to the vehicle, for display thereon, a distinguishing mark
(in this Act referred to as the registration mark) consisting of one of the groups of such of those letters
and followed by such letters and figures as are allotted to the State by the Central Government from time
to time by notification in the Official Gazette, and displayed and shown on the motor vehicle in such form
and in such manner as may be prescribed by the Central Government.
1[Provided that in case of a new motor vehicle, the application for the registration of which is made
under the second proviso to sub-section (1), such motor vehicle shall not be delivered to the owner until
such registration mark is displayed on the motor vehicle in such form and manner as may prescribed by
the Central Government.]
(7) A certificate of registration issued under sub-section (3), whether before or after the
commencement of this Act, in respect of a motor vehicle, 2***, shall, subject to the provisions contained
in this Act, be valid only for a period of fifteen years from the date of issue of such certificate 1[or for
such period as may be prescribed by the Central Government] and shall be renewable.
(8) An application by or on behalf of the owner of a motor vehicle, 2***, for the renewal of a
certificate of registration shall be made within such period and in such form, containing such particulars
and information as may be prescribed by the Central Government.
(9) An application referred to in sub-section (8) shall be accompanied by such fee as may be
prescribed by the Central Government.
(10) Subject to the provisions of section 56, the registering authority may, on receipt of an application
under sub-section (8), renew the certificate of registration 3[for such period, as may be prescribed by the
Central Government] and intimate the fact to the original registering authority, if it is not the original
registering authority.
1[Provided that the Central Government may prescribe different period of renewal for different types
of motor vehicles.]
4* * * * *
(14) An application for the issue of a duplicate certificate of registration shall be made to the 5[last
registering authority] in such form, containing such particulars and information along with such fee as
may be prescribed by the Central Government.
STATE AMENDMENT
Rajasthan
Amendment of section 41, Central Act 59 of 1988.—In section 41 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988
(Central Act 59 of 1988),-
(a) in sub-sections (7) and (8), the expression, “other than a transport vehicle,” shall be deleted;
(b) after sub-section (7) so amended, the following proviso shall be inserted, namely:-
“Provided that in the case of transport vehicles, State Government may require the transport vehicles
to be re-registered in the manner prescribed, subject to the age limit, if any, prescribed under section 59 of
the Act.”; and
1. Ins. by Act 32 of 2019, s. 17 (w.e.f. 1-4-2021).
2. The words “other than a transport vehicle” omitted by s. 17, ibid., (w.e.f. 1-4-2021).
3. Subs. by s. 17, ibid., for “for a period of five years” (w.e.f. 1-4-2021).
4. Sub-sections (11), (12), (13) omitted by s. 17, ibid., (w.e.f. 1-7-2021).
5. Subs. by Act 54 of 1994, s. 11, for “original registering authority” (w.e.f. 14-11-1994).
32
(c) in sub-section (10) after the words “for a period of five years” and before the words “and
intimate”, the expression “on payment of all taxes, penalties and interest, if any, levied by the State
Government” shall be inserted.
[Vide Rajasthan Act 1 of 2002, s. 2]
42. Special provision for registration of motor vehicles of diplomatic officers, etc.—(1) Where an
application for registration of a motor vehicle is made under sub-section (1) of section 41 by or on behalf
of any diplomatic officer or consular officer, then, notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (3)
or sub-section (6) of that section, the registering authority shall register the vehicle in such manner and in
accordance with such procedure as may be provided by rules made in this behalf by the Central
Government under sub-section (3) and shall assign to the vehicle for display thereon a special registration
mark in accordance with the provisions contained in those rules and shall issue a certificate (hereafter in
this section referred to as the certificate of registration) that the vehicle has been registered under this
section; and any vehicle so registered shall not, so long as it remains the property of any diplomatic
officer or consular officer, require to be registered otherwise under this Act.
(2) If any vehicle registered under this section ceases to be the property of any diplomatic officer or
consular officer, the certificate of registration issued under this section shall also cease to be effective,
and the provisions of sections 39 and 40 shall thereupon apply.
(3) The Central Government may make rules for the registration of motor vehicles belonging to
diplomatic officers and consular officers regarding the procedure to be followed by the registering
authority for registering such vehicles, the form in which the certificates of registration of such vehicles
are to be issued, the manner in which such certificates of registration are to be sent to the owners of the
vehicles and the special registration marks to be assigned to such vehicles.
(4) For the purposes of this section, “diplomatic officer” or “consular officer” means any person who
is recognised as such by the Central Government and if any question arises as to whether a person is or is
not such an officer, the decision of the Central Government thereon shall be final.
1[43. Temporary registration.— Notwithstanding anything contained in section 40, the owner of a
motor vehicle may apply to any registering authority or other authority as may be prescribed by the State
Government to have the motor vehicle temporarily registered and such authority shall issue a temporary
certificate of registration and temporary registration mark in accordance with such rules as may be made
by the Central Government:
Provided that the State Government may register a motor vehicle that plies, temporarily, within the
State and issue a certificate of registration and registration mark for a period of one month in such manner
as may be prescribed by the State Government.]
2[44. Production of vehicle at the time of registration.— (1) Subject to such terms and conditions as
may be prescribed by the Central Government in this behalf, a motor vehicle sold by an authorised dealer
shall not require production before a registering authority for the purposes of registration for the first
time.
(2) Subject to such terms and conditions as may be prescribed by the State Government, a person in
whose name a certificate of registration has been issued shall not be required to produce the vehicle
registered or transferred before a registering authority.]
45. Refusal of registration or renewal of the certificate of registration.—The registering authority
may, by order, refuse to register any motor vehicle, or renew the certificate of registration in respect of a
motor vehicle (other than a transport vehicle), if in either case, the registering authority has reason to
believe that it is a stolen motor vehicle or the vehicle is mechanically defective or fails to comply with the
requirements of this Act or of the rules made thereunder, or if the applicant fails to furnish particulars of
any previous registration of the vehicle or furnishes inaccurate particulars in the application for
registration of the vehicle or, as the case may be, for renewal of the certificate or registration thereof and
the registering authority shall furnish the applicant whose vehicle is refused registration, or whose
1. Subs. by Act 32 of 2019, s. 18, for section 43 (w.e.f. 1-4-2021).
2. Subs. by, s. 19, ibid., for section 44 (w.e.f. 1-4-2021).
33
application for renewal of the certificate of registration is refused, a copy of such order, together with the
reasons for such refusal.
46. Effectiveness in India of registration.—Subject to the provisions of section 47, a motor vehicle
registered in accordance with this Chapter in any State shall not require to be registered elsewhere in
India and a certificate of registration issued or in force under this Act in respect of such vehicle shall be
effective throughout India.
47. Assignment of new registration mark on removal to another State.—(1) When a motor
vehicle registered in one State has been kept in another State, for a period exceeding twelve months, the
owner of the vehicle shall, within such period and in such form containing such particulars as may be
prescribed by the Central Government, apply to the registering authority, within whose jurisdiction the
vehicle then is, for the assignment of a new registration mark and shall present the certificate of
registration to that registering authority:
Provided that an application under this sub-section shall be accompanied—
(i) by the no objection certificate obtained under section 48, or
(ii) in a case where no such certificate has been obtained, by—
(a) the receipt obtained under sub-section (2) of section 48; or
(b) the postal acknowledgement received by the owner of the vehicle if he has sent an
application in this behalf by registered post acknowledgement due to the registering authority
referred to in section 48,
together with a declaration that he has not received any communication from such authority refusing to
grant such certificate or requiring him to comply with any direction subject to which such certificate may
be granted:
Provided further that, in a case where a motor vehicle is held under a hire-purchase, lease or
hypothecation agreement, an application under this sub-section shall be accompanied by a no objection
certificate from the person with whom such agreement has been entered into, and the provisions of
section 51, so far as may be, regarding obtaining of such certificate from the person with whom such
agreement has been entered into, shall apply.
(2) The registering authority, to which application is made under sub-section (1), shall after making
such verification, as it thinks fit, of the returns, if any, received under section 62, assign the vehicle a
registration mark as specified in sub-section (6) of section 41 to be displayed and shown thereafter on the
vehicle and shall enter the mark upon the certificate of registration before returning it to the applicant and
shall, in communication with the registering authority by whom the vehicle was previously registered,
arrange for the transfer of the registration of the vehicle from the records of that registering authority to
its own records.
(3) Where a motor vehicle is held under a hire-purchase or lease or hypothecation agreement, the
registering authority shall, after assigning the vehicle a registration mark under sub-section (2), inform the
person whose name has been specified in the certificate of registration as the person with whom the
registered owner has entered into the hire-purchase or lease or hypothecation agreement (by sending to
such person a notice by registered post acknowledgement due at the address of such person entered in the
certificate of registration the fact of assignment of the said registration mark).
(4) A State Government may make rules under section 65 requiring the owner of a motor vehicle not
registered within the State, which is brought into or is for the time being in the State, to furnish to the
prescribed authority in the State such information with respect to the motor vehicle and its registration as
may be prescribed.
(5) If the owner fails to make an application under sub-section (1) within the period prescribed, the
registering authority may, having regard to the circumstances of the case, require the owner to pay, in lieu
of any action that may be taken against him under section 177, such amount not exceeding one hundred
rupees as may be prescribed under sub-section (7):
34
Provided that action under section 177 shall be taken against the owner where the owner fails to pay
the said amount.
(6) Where the owner has paid the amount under sub-section (5), no action shall be taken against him
under section 177.
(7) For the purposes of sub-section (5), the State Government may prescribe different amounts having
regard to the period of delay on the part of the owner in making an application under sub-section (1).
48. No objection certificate.—(1) The owner of a motor vehicle when applying for the assignment of a
new registration mark under sub-section (1) of section 47, or where the transfer of a motor vehicle is to be
effected in a State other than the State of its registration, the transferor of such vehicle when reporting the
transfer under sub-section (1) of section 50, shall make an application in such form and in such manner as may
be prescribed by the Central Government to the registering authority by which the vehicle was registered for
the issue of a certificate (hereafter in this section referred to as the no objection certificate), to the effect that
the registering authority has no objection for assigning a new registration mark to the vehicle or, as the case
may be, for entering the particulars of the transfer of ownership in the certificate of registration.
(2) The registering authority shall, on receipt of an application under sub-section (1), issue a receipt in
such form as may be prescribed by the Central Government.
(3) On receipt of an application under sub-section (1), the registering authority may, after making such
inquiry and requiring the applicant to comply with such directions as it deems fit and within thirty days of the
receipt thereof, by order in writing, communicate to the applicant that it has granted or refused to grant the no
objection certificate:
Provided that a registering authority shall not refuse to grant the no objection certificate unless it has
recorded in writing the reasons for doing so and a copy of the same has been communicated to the applicant.
(4) Where within a period of thirty days referred to in sub-section (3), the registering authority does not
refuse to grant the no objection certificate or does not communicate the refusal to the applicant, the registering
authority shall be deemed to have granted the no objection certificate.
(5) Before granting or refusing to grant the no objection certificate, the registering authority shall obtain a
report in writing from the police that no case relating to the theft of the motor vehicle concerned has been
reported or is pending, verify whether all the amounts due to Government including road tax in respect of that
motor vehicle have been paid and take into account such other factors as may be prescribed by the Central
Government.
1[(6) The owner of the vehicle shall also inform at the earliest, in writing, the registering authority
about the theft of his vehicle together with the name of the police station where the theft report was
lodged, and the registering authority shall take into account such report while disposing of any application
for no objection certification, registration, transfer of ownership or issue of duplicate registration certificate.]
49. Change of residence or place of business.—(1) If the owner of a motor vehicle ceases to reside or
have his place of business at the address recorded in the certificate of registration of the vehicle, he shall,
within thirty days of any such change of address, intimate in such form accompanied by such documents as
may be prescribed by the Central Government, his new address, to the registering authority by which the
certificate of registration was issued, or, if the new address is within the jurisdiction of another 2[State, to any
registering authority in that State], and shall at the same time forward the certificate of registration to the
registering authority or, as the case may be, to the other registering authority in order that the new address may
be entered therein.
3[(1A) The intimation under sub-section (1) may be sent to the appropriate registering authority in
electronic form along with the electronic form of such documents, including proof of authentication in such
manner as may be prescribed by the Central Government.]
(2) If the owner of a motor vehicle fails to intimate his new address to the concerned registering authority
within the period specified in sub-section (1), the registering authority may, having regard to the circumstances
of the case, require the owner to pay, in lieu of any action that may be taken against him under
section 177 such amount not exceeding 4[five hundred rupees] as may be prescribed under
sub-section (4):
1. Ins. by Act 54 of 1994, s. 13 (w.e.f. 14-11-1994).
2. Subs. by Act 32 of 2019, s. 20, for “registering authority, to that other registering authority” (w.e.f. 1-9-2019).
3. Ins. by s. 20, ibid. (w.e.f. 1-9-2019).
4. Subs. by s. 20, ibid., for “one hundred rupees” (w.e.f. 1-9-2019).
35
Provided that action under section 177 shall be taken against the owner where he fails to pay the said
amount.
(3) Where a person has paid the amount under sub-section (2), no action shall be taken against him
under section 177.
(4) For the purposes of sub-section (2), a State Government may prescribe different amounts having
regard to the period of delay in intimating his new address.
(5) On receipt of intimation under sub-section (1), the registering authority may, after making such
verification as it may think fit, cause the new address to be entered in the certificate of registration.
(6) A registering authority other than the original registering authority making any such entry shall
communicate the altered address to the original registering authority.
(7) Nothing in sub-section (1) shall apply where the change of the address recorded in the certificate
of registration is due to a temporary absence not intended to exceed six months in duration or where the
motor vehicle is neither used nor removed from the address recorded in the certificate of registration.
50. Transfer of ownership.—(1) Where the ownership of any motor vehicle registered under this
Chapter is transferred,—
(a) the transferor shall,—
(i) in the case of a vehicle registered within the same State, within fourteen days of the
transfer, report the fact of transfer, in such form with such documents and in such manner, as may
be prescribed by the Central Government to the registering authority within whose jurisdiction
the transfer is to be effected and shall simultaneously send a copy of the said report to the
transferee; and
(ii) in the case of a vehicle registered outside the State, within forty-five days of the transfer,
forward to the registering authority referred to in sub-clause (i)—
(A) the no objection certificate obtained under section 48; or
(B) in a case where no such certificate has been obtained,—
(I) the receipt obtained under sub-section (2) of section 48; or
(II) the postal acknowledgement received by the transferred if he has sent an
application in this behalf by registered post acknowledgement due to the registering
authority referred to in section 48,
together with a declaration that he has not received any communication from such authority
refusing to grant such certificate or requiring him to comply with any direction subject to which
such certificate may be granted;
(b) the transferee shall, within thirty days of the transfer, report the transfer to the registering
authority within whose jurisdiction he has the residence or place of business where the vehicle is
normally kept, as the case may be, and shall forward the certificate of registration to that registering
authority together with the prescribed fee and a copy of the report received by him from the transferor
in order that particulars of the transfer of ownership may be entered in the certificate of registration.
(2) Where—
(a) the person in whose name a motor vehicle stands registered dies, or
(b) a motor vehicle has been purchased or acquired at a public auction conducted by, or on behalf
of, Government,
the person succeeding to the possession of the vehicle or, as the case may be, who has purchased or
acquired the motor vehicle, shall make an application for the purpose of transferring the ownership of the
vehicle in his name, to the registering authority in whose jurisdiction he has the residence or place of
business where the vehicle is normally kept, as the case may be, in such manner, accompanied with such
fee, and within such period as may be prescribed by the Central Government.
36
(3) If the transferor or the transferee fails to report to the registering authority the fact of transfer
within the period specified in clause (a) or clause (b) of sub-section (1), as the case may be, or if the
person who is required to make an application under sub-section (2) (hereafter in this section referred to
as the other person) fails to make such application within the period prescribed, the registering authority
may, having regard to the circumstances of the case, require the transferor or the transferee, or the other
person, as the case may be, to pay, in lieu of any action that may be taken against him under section 177
such amount not exceeding one hundred rupees as may be prescribed under sub-section (5):
Provided that action under section 177 shall be taken against the transferor or the transferee or the
other person, as the case may be, where he fails to pay the said amount.
(4) Where a person has paid the amount under sub-section (3), no action shall be taken against him
under section 177.
(5) For the purposes of sub-section (3), a State Government may prescribe different amounts having
regard to the period of delay on the part of the transferor or the transferee in reporting the fact of transfer
of ownership of the motor vehicle or of the other person in making the application under sub-section (2).
(6) On receipt of a report under sub-section (1), or an application under sub-section (2), the
registering authority may cause the transfer of ownership to be entered in the certificate of registration.
(7) A registering authority making any such entry shall communicate the transfer of ownership to the
transferor and to the original registering authority, if it is not the original registering authority.
51. Special provisions regarding motor vehicle subject to hire-purchase agreement, etc.—(1)
Where an application for registration of a motor vehicle which is held under a hire-purchase, lease or
hypothecation agreement (hereafter in this section referred to as the said agreement) is made, the
registering authority shall make an entry in the certificate of registration regarding the existence of the
said agreement.
(2) Where the ownership of any motor vehicle registered under this Chapter is transferred and the
transferee enters into the said agreement with any person, the 1[last registering authority] shall, on receipt
of an application in such form as the Central Government may prescribe from the parties to the said
agreement, make an entry as to the existence of the said agreement in the certificate of registration 2[and
an intimation in this behalf shall be sent to the original registering authority if the last registering
authority is not the original registering authority].
(3) Any entry made under sub-section (1) or sub-section (2), may be cancelled by the 1[last registering
authority] on proof of the termination of the said agreement by the parties concerned on an application
being made in such form as the Central Government may prescribe 2[and an intimation in this behalf
shall be sent to the original registering authority if the last registering authority is not the original
registering authority].
(4) No entry regarding the transfer of ownership of any motor vehicle which is held under the said
agreement shall be made in the certificate of registration except with the written consent of the person
whose name has been specified in the certificate of registration as the person with whom the registered
owner has entered into the said agreement.
(5) Where the person whose name has been specified in the certificate of registration as the person
with whom the registered owner has entered into the said agreement, satisfies the registering authority
that he has taken possession of the vehicle 3[from the registered owner] owing to the default of the
registered owner under the provisions of the said agreement and that the registered owner refuses to
deliver the certificate of registration or has absconded, such authority may, after giving the registered
owner an opportunity to make such representation as he may wish to make (by sending to him a notice by
registered post acknowledgement due at his address entered in the certificate of registration) and
notwithstanding that the certificate of registration is not produced before it, cancel the certificate and
1. Subs. by Act 54 of 1994, s. 14, for “original registering authority” (w.e.f. 14-11-1994).
2. Added by s. 14, ibid. (w.e.f. 14-11-1994).
3. Ins. by s. 14, ibid. (w.e.f. 14-11-1994).
37
issue a fresh certificate of registration in the name of the person with whom the registered owner has
entered into the said agreement:
Provided that a fresh certificate of registration shall not be issued in respect of a motor vehicle, unless
such person pays the prescribed fee:
Provided further that a fresh certificate of registration issued in respect of a motor vehicle, other than
a transport vehicle, shall be valid only for the remaining period for which the certificate cancelled under
this sub-section would have been in force.
(6) The registered owner shall, before applying to the appropriate authority, for the renewal of a
permit under section 81 or for the issue of duplicate certificate of registration under sub-section (14) of
section 41, or for the assignment of a new registration mark 1[under section 47, or removal of the vehicle
to another State, or at the time of conversion of the vehicle from one class to another, or for issue of no
objection certificate under section 48, or for change of residence or place of business under section 49, or
for the alteration of the vehicle under section 52, make an application] to the person with whom the
registered owner has entered into the said agreement (such person being hereafter in this section referred
to as the financier) for the issue of a no objection certificate (hereafter in this section referred to as the
certificate).
Explanation.—For the purposes of this sub-section and sub-sections (8) and (9), “appropriate
authority”, in relation to any permit, means the authority which is authorised by this Act to renew such
permit and, in relation to registration, means the authority which is authorised by this Act to issue
duplicate certificate of registration or to assign a new registration mark.
(7) Within seven days of the receipt of an application under sub-section (6), the financier may issue,
or refuse, for reasons which shall be recorded in writing and communicated to the applicant, to issue, the
certificate applied for, and where the financier fails to issue the certificate and also fails to communicate
the reasons for refusal to issue the certificate to the applicant within the said period of seven days, the
certificate applied for shall be deemed to have been issued by the financier.
(8) The registered owner shall, while applying to the appropriate authority for the renewal of any
permit under section 81, or for the issue of a duplicate certificate of registration under sub-section (14) of
section 41, or while applying for assignment of a new registration mark under section 47, submit with
such application the certificate, if any, obtained under sub-section (7) or, where no such certificate has
been obtained, the communication received from the financier under that sub-section, or, as the case may
be, a declaration that he has not received any communication from the financier within the period of
seven days specified in that sub-section.
(9) On receipt of an application for the renewal of any permit or for the issue of duplicate certificate
of registration or for assignment of a new registration mark in respect of a vehicle which is held under the
said agreement, the appropriate authority may, subject to the other provisions of this Act,—
(a) in a case where the financier has refused to issue the certificate applied for, after giving the
applicant an opportunity of being heard, either—
(i) renew or refuse to renew the permit, or
(ii) issue or refuse to issue the duplicate certificate of registration, or
(iii) assign or refuse to assign a new registration mark;
(b) in any other case,—
(i) renew the permit, or
(ii) issue duplicate certificate of registration, or
(iii) assign a new registration mark.
(10) A registering authority making an entry in the certificate of registration regarding—
(a) hire-purchase lease or hypothecation agreement of a motor vehicle, or
1. Subs. by Act 54 of 1994, s. 14, for “under section 47, make an application” (w.e.f. 14-11-1994).
38
(b) the cancellation under sub-section (3) of an entry, or
(c) recording transfer of ownership of motor vehicle, or
(d) any alteration in a motor vehicle, or
(e) suspension or cancellation of registration of a motor vehicle, or
(f) change of address,
shall communicate 1[by registered post acknowledgment due] to the financier that such entry has been
made.
2[(11) A registering authority registering the new vehicle, or issuing the duplicate certificate of
registration or a no objection certificate or a temporary certificate of registration, or issuing or
renewing, a fitness certificate or substituting entries relating to another motor vehicle in the
permit, shall intimate the financier of such transaction.
(12) The registering authority where it is not the original registering authority, when making
entry under sub-section (1) or sub-section (2), or cancelling the said entry under sub-section (3) or
issuing the fresh certificate of registration under sub-section (5) shall communicate the same to the
original registering authority.]
3[52. Alteration in motor vehicle.— (1) No owner of a motor vehicle shall so alter the vehicle that
the particulars contained in the certificate of registration are at variance with those originally specified by
the manufacturer:
Provided that where the owner of a motor vehicle makes modification of the engine, or any part
thereof, of a vehicle for facilitating its operation by different type of fuel or source of energy including
battery, compressed natural gas, solar power, liquid petroleum gas or any other fuel or source of energy,
by fitment of a conversion kit, such modification shall be carried out subject to such conditions as may be
prescribed:
4[Provided further that the Central Government may prescribe specifications, conditions for approval,
retro fitment and other related matters for the alteration of motor vehicles and in such cases, the warranty
granted by the manufacturer shall not be considered as void for the purposes of such alteration or retro
fitment.]
Provided also that the Central Government may grant exemption for alteration of vehicles in a
manner other than specified above, for any specific purpose.
5[(1A) A manufacturer of a motor vehicle shall on the direction issued by the Central Government,
alter or retrofit safety equipment, or any other equipment in accordance with such standards and
specifications as may be specified by the Central Government.]
6[(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), any person may, with the subsequent
approval of the registering authority, alter or cause to be altered any vehicle owned by him to be
converted into an adapted vehicle:
Provided that such alteration complies with such conditions as may be prescribed by the Central
Government.]
(3) Where any alteration has been made in motor vehicle without the approval of registering
authority 7***, the owner of the vehicle shall, within fourteen days of the making of the alteration, report
the alteration to the registering authority within whose jurisdiction he resides and shall forward the
1. Ins. by Act 54 of 1994, s.14 (w.e.f. 14-11-1994).
2. Subs. by s. 14, ibid., for sub-section (11) (w.e.f. 14-11-1994).
3. Subs. by Act 27 of 2000, s. 2, for s. 52 (w.e.f. 11-8-2000).
4. Subs. by Act 32 of 2019, s. 21, for the proviso (w.e.f. 1-4-2021).
5. Ins. by s. 21, ibid. (w.e.f. 1-9-2019).
6. Subs. by s. 21, ibid., for sub-section (2) (w.e.f. 1-4-2021).
7. The words “or by reason of replacement of its engine without such approval under sub-section (2)” omitted by s. 21, ibid.,
(w.e.f. 1-4-2021).
39
certificate of registration to that authority together with the prescribed fee in order that particulars of
registration may be entered therein.
(4) A registering authority other than the original registering authority making any such entry shall
communicate the details of the entry to the original registering authority.
(5) Subject to the provisions made under sub-sections (1), (2), (3) and (4), no person holding a vehicle
under a hire-purchase agreement shall make any alteration to the vehicle except with the written consent
of the registered owner.
Explanation.—For the purposes of this section, “alteration” means a change in the structure of a
vehicle which results in a change in its basic feature.]
53. Suspension of registration.—(1) If any registering authority or other prescribed authority has
reason to believe that any motor vehicle within its jurisdiction—
(a) is in such a condition that its use in a public place would constitute a danger to the public, or
that it fails to comply with the requirements of this Act or of the rules made thereunder, or
(b) has been, or is being, used for hire or reward without a valid permit for being used as such,
the authority may, after giving the owner an opportunity of making any representation he may wish to
make (by sending to the owner a notice by registered post acknowledgement due at his address entered in
the certificate of registration), for reasons to be recorded in writing, suspend the certificate of registration
of the vehicle—
(i) in any case falling under clause (a), until the defects are rectified to its satisfaction; and
(ii) in any case falling under clause (b), for a period not exceeding four months.
(2) An authority other than a registering authority shall, when making a suspension order under
sub-section (1), intimate in writing the fact of such suspension and the reasons therefor to the registering
authority within whose jurisdiction the vehicle is at the time of the suspension.
(3) Where the registeration of a motor vehicle has been suspended under sub-section (1), for a
continuous period of not less than one month, the registering authority, within whose jurisdiction the
vehicle was when the registration was suspended, shall, if it is not the original registering authority,
inform that authority of the suspension.
(4) The owner of a motor vehicle shall, on the demand of a registering authority or other prescribed
authority which has suspended the certificate of registration of the vehicle under this section, surrender
the certificate of registration.
(5) A certificate of registration surrendered under sub-section (4) shall be returned to the owner when
the order suspending registration has been rescinded and not before.
54. Cancellation of registration suspended under section 53.—Where the suspension of
registration of a vehicle under section 53 has continued without interruption for a period of not less than
six months, the registering authority within whose jurisdiction the vehicle was when the registration was
suspended, may, if it is the original registering authority, cancel the registration, and if it is not the
original registering authority, shall forward the certificate of registration to that authority which may
cancel the registration.
55. Cancellation of registration.—(1) If a motor vehicle has been destroyed or has been rendered
permanently incapable of use, the owner shall, within fourteen days or as soon as may be, report the fact
to the registering authority within whose jurisdiction he has the residence or place of business where the
vehicle is normally kept, as the case may be, and shall forward to that authority the certificate of
registration of the vehicle.
(2) The registering authority shall, if it is the original registering authority, cancel the registration and
the certificate of registration, or, if it is not, shall forward the report and the certificate of registration to
the original registering authority and that authority shall cancel the registration.
40
(3) Any registering authority may order the examination of a motor vehicle within its jurisdiction by
such authority as the State Government may by order appoint and, if, upon such examination and after
giving the owner an opportunity to make any representation he may wish to make (by sending to the
owner a notice by registered post acknowledgement due at his address entered in the certificate of
registration), it is satisfied that the vehicle is in such a condition that it is incapable of being used or its
use in a public place would constitute a danger to the public and that it is beyond reasonable repair, may
cancel the registration.
(4) If a registering authority is satisfied that a motor vehicle has been permanently removed out of
India, the registering authority shall cancel the registration.
(5) If a registering authority is satisfied that the registration of a motor vehicle has been obtained on
the basis of documents which were, or by representation of facts which was, false in any material
particular, or the engine number or the chassis number embossed thereon are different from such number
entered in the certificate of registration, the registering authority shall after giving the owner an
opportunity to make such representation as he may wish to make (by sending to the owner a notice by
registered post acknowledgement due at his address entered in the certificate of registration), and for
reasons to be recorded in writing cancel the registration.
1[(5A) If any registering authority or other prescribed authority has reason to believe that any motor
vehicle within its jurisdiction has been used in the commission of an offence punishable under
section 199A, the authority may, after giving the owner an opportunity of making a representation in
writing, cancel the certificate of registration of the vehicle for a period of one year:
Provided that the owner of the motor vehicle may apply for fresh registration in accordance with the
provisions of section 40 and section 41.]
(6) A registering authority cancelling the registration of a motor vehicle under section 54 or under this
section shall communicate such fact in writing to the owner of the vehicle, and the owner of the vehicle
shall forthwith surrender to that authority the certificate of registration of the vehicle.
(7) A registering authority making an order of cancellation under section 54 or under this
section shall, if it is the original registering authority, cancel the certificate of registration and the entry
relating to the vehicle in its records, and, if it is not the original registering authority, forward the
certificate of registration to that authority, and that authority shall cancel the certificate of registration and
the entry relating to the motor vehicle in its records.
(8) The expression “original registering authority” in this section and in sections 41, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53
and 54 means the registering authority in whose records the registration of the vehicle is recorded.
(9) In this section, “certificate of registration” includes a certificate of registration renewed under the
provisions of this Act.
56. Certificate of fitness of transport vehicles.—(1) Subject to the provisions of sections 59 and 60,
a transport vehicle shall not be deemed to be validly registered for the purposes of section 39, unless it
carries a certificate of fitness in such form containing such particulars and information as may be
prescribed by the Central Government, issued by the prescribed authority, or by an authorised testing
station mentioned in sub-section (2), to the effect that the vehicle complies for the time being with all the
requirements of this Act and the rules made thereunder:
Provided that where the prescribed authority or the authorised testing station refuses is issue such
certificate, it shall supply the owner of the vehicle with its reasons in writing for such refusal.
2[Provided further that no certificate of fitness shall be granted to a vehicle, after such date as may be
notified by the Central Government, unless such vehicle has been tested at an automated testing station.]
3[(2) The “authorised testing station” referred to in sub-section (1) means any facility, including
automated testing facilities, authorised by the State Government, where fitness testing may be conducted
in accordance with the rules made by the Central Government for recognition, regulation and control of
such stations.]
(3) Subject to the provisions of sub-section (4), a certificate of fitness shall remain effective for such
period as may be prescribed by the Central Government having regard to the objects of this Act.
1. Ins. by Act 32 of 2019, s. 22 (w.e.f. 1-9-2019).
2. Ins. by, s. 23, ibid. (w.e.f. 1-4-2021).
3. Subs. by s. 23, ibid., for sub-section (2) (w.e.f. 1-4-2021).
41
(4) The prescribed authority may for reasons to be recorded in writing cancel a certificate of fitness at
any time, if satisfied that the vehicle to which it relates no longer complies with all the requirements of
this Act and the rules made thereunder; and on such cancellation the certificate of registration of the
vehicle and any permit granted in respect of the vehicle under Chapter V shall be deemed to be suspended
until a new certificate of fitness has been obtained:
1[Provided that no such cancellation shall be made by the prescribed authority unless,—
(a) such prescribed authority holds such technical qualification as may be prescribed by the
Central Government and where the prescribed authority does not hold the technical qualification, such
cancellation is made on the basis of the report of an officer having such qualification; and
(b) the reasons recorded in writing cancelling a certificate of fitness are confirmed by an
authorised testing station chosen by the owner of the vehicle whose certificate of fitness is sought to be
cancelled:
Provided further that if the cancellation is confirmed by the authorised testing station, the cost of
undertaking the test shall be borne by the owner of the vehicle being tested and in the alternative by the
prescribed authority.]
(5) A certificate of fitness issued under this Act shall, while it remains effective, be valid throughout
India.
2[(6) All transport vehicles with a valid certificate of fitness issued under this section shall carry, on
their bodies, in a clear and visible manner such distinguishing mark as may be prescribed by the Central
Government.
(7) Subject to such conditions as the Central Government may prescribe, the provisions of this section
may be extended to non-transport vehicles.]
57. Appeals.—3[(1) Any person aggrieved by an order of the registering authority under
section 41, 42, 43, 45, 47, 48, 49, 50, 52, 53, 55 or 56 may, within thirty days of the date on which he
has received notice of such order, appeal against the order to the prescribed authority.]
(2) The appellate authority shall give notice of the appeal to the original authority and after giving an
opportunity to the original authority and the appellant to be heard in the appeal pass such orders as it
thinks fit.
58. Special provisions in regard to transport vehicles.—(1) The Central Government may, having
regard to the number, nature and size of the tyres attached to the wheels of a transport vehicle, (other than
a motor cab), and its make and model and other relevant considerations, by notification in the Official
Gazette, specify, in relation to each make and model of a transport vehicle, the 4[maximum gross vehicle
weight] of such vehicle and the maximum safe axle weight of each axle of such vehicle.
(2) A registering authority, when registering a transport vehicle, other than a motor cab, shall enter in
the record of registration and shall also enter in the certificate of registration of the vehicle the following
particulars, namely:—
(a) the unladen weight of the vehicle;
(b) the number, nature and size of the tyres attached to each wheel;
(c) the gross vehicle weight of the vehicle and the registered axle weights pertaining to the several
axles thereof; and
(d) if the vehicle is used or adapted to be used for the carriage of passengers solely or in addition
to goods, the number of passengers for whom accommodation is provided,
and the owner of the vehicle shall have the same particulars exhibited in the prescribed manner on the
vehicle.
1. Subs. by Act 32 of 2019, s. 23, for the proviso (w.e.f. 1-4-2021).
2. Ins. by s. 23, ibid., (w.e.f. 1-4-2021).
3. Subs. by Act 54 of 1994, s.17, for sub-section (1) (w.e.f. 14-11-1994).
4. Subs. by s. 18, ibid., for “maximum safe laden weight” (w.e.f. 14-11-1994).
42
(3) There shall not be entered in the certificate of registration of any such vehicle any gross vehicle
weight or a registered axle weight of any of the axles different from that specified in the notification
under sub-section (1) in relation to the make and model of such vehicle and to the number, nature and size
of the tyres attached to its wheels:
Provided that where it appears to the Central Government that heavier weights than those specified in
the notification under sub-section (1) may be permitted in a particular locality for vehicles of a particular
type, the Central Government may, by order in the Official Gazette direct that the provisions of this
sub-section shall apply with such modifications as may be specified in the order.
1* * * * *
(5) In order that the gross vehicle weight entered in the certificate of registration of a vehicle may be
revised in accordance with the provisions of sub-section (3), the registering authority may require the
owner of transport vehicle in accordance with such procedure as may be prescribed to produce the
certificate of registration within such time as may be specified by the registering authority.
59. Power to fix the age limit of motor vehicle.—(1) The Central Government may, having regard
to the public safety, convenience and objects of this Act, by notification in the Official Gazette, specify
the life of a motor vehicle reckoned from the date of its manufacture, after the expiry of which the motor
vehicle shall not be deemed to comply with the requirements of this Act and the rules made thereunder:
Provided that the Central Government may specify different ages for different classes or different
types of motor vehicles.
(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), the Central Government may, having
regard to the purpose of a motor vehicle, such as, display or use for the purposes of a demonstration in
any exhibition, use for the purposes of technical research or taking part in a vintage car rally, by
notification in the Official Gazette, exempt, by a general or special order, subject to such conditions as
may be specified in such notification, any class or type of motor vehicle from the operation of
sub-section (1) for the purpose to be stated in the notification.
(3) Notwithstanding anything contained in section 56, no prescribed authority or authorised testing
station shall grant a certificate of fitness to a motor vehicle in contravention of the provisions of any
notification issued under sub-section (1).
2[(4) The Central Government may, having regard to the public safety, convenience, protection of the
environment and the objects of this Act, make rules prescribing the manner of recycling of motor vehicles
and parts thereof which have exceeded their life.]
60. Registration of vehicles belonging to the Central Government.—(1) Such authority as the
Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, specify, may register any motor vehicle
which is the property or for the time being under the exclusive control of the Central Government and is
used for Government purposes relating to the defence of the country and unconnected with any
commercial enterprise and any vehicle so registered shall not, so long as it remains the property or under
the exclusive control of the Central Government, require to be registered otherwise under this Act.
(2) The authority registering a vehicle under sub-section (1) shall assign a registration mark in
accordance with the provisions contained in the rules made in this behalf by the Central Government and
shall issue a certificate in respect of that vehicle to the effect that such vehicle complies for the time being
with all the requirements of this Act and the rules made thereunder and that the vehicle has been
registered under this section.
(3) A vehicle registered under this section shall carry the certificate issued under sub-section (2).
(4) If a vehicle registered under this section ceases to be the property or under the exclusive control of
the Central Government, the provisions of sections 39 and 40 shall thereupon apply.
1. S.s. (4) omitted by Act 27 of 2000, s. 3 (w.e.f. 11-8-2000).
2. Ins. by Act 32 of 2019, s. 24 (w.e.f. 1-9-2019).
43
(5) The authority registering a vehicle under sub-section (1) shall furnish to any State Government all
such information regarding the general nature, overall dimensions and axle weights of the vehicle as the
State Government may at any time require.
61. Application of Chapter to trailers.—(1) The provisions of this Chapter shall apply to the
registration of trailers as they apply to the registration of any other motor vehicle.
(2) The registration mark assigned to a trailer shall be displayed in such manner on the side of the
drawing vehicle, as may be prescribed by the Central Government.
(3) No person shall drive a motor vehicle to which a trailer is or trailers are attached unless the
registration mark of the motor vehicle so driven is displayed on the trailer or on the last trailer in the train,
as the case may be, in such manner as may be prescribed by the Central Government.
62. Information regarding stolen and recovered motor vehicles to be furnished by the police to
the State Transport Authority.—The State Government may, if it thinks necessary or expedient so to do
in the public interest, direct the submission by the Inspector General of Police (by whatever designation
called) and such other police officers as the State Government may specify in this behalf, of such returns
containing the information regarding vehicles which have been stolen and stolen vehicles which have
been recovered of which the police are aware, to the State Transport Authority, and may prescribe the
form in which and the period within which such returns shall be made.
1[62A. Prohibition of registration and issuance of certificate of fitness to oversized vehicles.—(1)
No registering authority shall register any motor vehicle that contravenes any rule made under clause (a)
of sub-section (1) of section 110.
(2) No prescribed authority or authorised testing station shall issue a certificate of fitness under
section 56 to any motor vehicle that contravenes any rule made under section 110.
62B. National Register of Motor Vehicles.—(1) The Central Government shall maintain a National
Register of Motor Vehicles in such form and manner as may be prescribed by it:
Provided that all State Registers of Motor Vehicles shall be subsumed under the National Register of
Motor Vehicles by such date as may be notified in the Official Gazette by the Central Government.
(2) No certificate of registration issued, or renewed, under this Act shall be valid unless it has been
issued a unique registration number under the National Register of Motor Vehicles.
(3) In order to maintain the National Register of Motor Vehicles, all State Governments and
registering authorities under this Act shall transmit all information and data in the State Register of Motor
Vehicles to the Central Government in such form and manner as may be prescribed by the Central
Government.
(4) State Governments shall be able to access the National Register of Motor Vehicles and update
records in accordance with the provisions of this Act and the rules made by the Central Government
thereunder.]
2[63. Maintenance of State Registers of Motor Vehicles.—(1) Each State Government shall
maintain in such form as may be prescribed by the Central Government a register to be known as the
State Register of Motor Vehicles, in respect of the motor vehicles in that State, containing the particulars
including—
(a) registration numbers;
(b) years of manufacture;
(c) classes and types;
(d) names and addresses of registered owners; and
(e) such other particulars as may be prescribed by the Central Government.]
1. Ins. by Act 32 of 2019, s. 25 (w.e.f. 1-4-2021).
2. Subs. by s. 26, ibid., for s. 63 (w.e.f. 1-4-2021).
44
64. Power of Central Government to make rules.—The Central Government may make rules to
provide for all or any of the following matters, namely:—
(a) the period within which and the form in which an application shall be made and the
documents, particulars and information it shall accompany under sub-section (1) of section 41;
(b) the form in which the certificate of registration shall be made and the particulars and
information it shall contain and the manner in which it shall be issued under sub-section (3) of
section 41;
(c) the form and manner in which the particulars of the certificate of registration shall be entered
in the records of the registering authority under sub-section (5) of section 41;
(d) the manner in which and the form in which the registration mark, the letters and figures and
other particulars referred to in sub-section (6) of section 41 shall be displayed and shown;
1[(da) providing for the period of validity of a certificate of registration under sub-section (7) of
section 41;]
(e) the period within which and the form in which the application shall be made and the
particulars and information it shall contain under sub-section (8) of section 41;
1[(ea) the period of renewal of certificate of registration of different types of motor vehicles under
sub-section (10) of section 41;]
(f) the form in which the application referred to in sub-section (14) of section 41 shall be made,
the particulars and information it shall contain and the fee to be charged;
1[(fa) the issue of temporary certificate of registration and temporary registration mark under
section 43;
(fb) the terms and conditions under which a motor vehicle sold by an authorised dealer shall not
require production before a registering authority under sub-section (1) of section 44;]
(g) the form in which the period within which the application referred to in sub-section (1) of
section 47 shall be made and the particulars it shall contain;
(h) the form in which and the manner in which the application for “No Objection Certificate”
shall be made under sub-section (1) of section 48 and the form of receipt to be issued under
sub-section (2) of section 48;
(i) the matters that are to be complied with by an applicant before no objection certificate may be
issued under section 48;
(j) the form in which the intimation of change of address shall be made under sub-section (1) of
section 49 and the documents to be submitted along with the application;
2[(ja) the form and manner for the electronic submission of the intimation of change of address,
documents to be submitted along with such intimation including proof of authentication under
sub-section (1A) of section 49;]
(k) the form in which and the manner in which the intimation of transfer of ownership shall be
made under sub-section (1) of section 50 or under sub-section (2) of section 50 and the document to
be submitted along with the application;
(l) the form in which the application under sub-section (2) or sub-section (3) of section 51 shall
be made;
1. Ins. by Act 32 of 2019, s. 27 (w.e.f. 1-9-2019).
2. Ins. by s. 27, ibid. (w.e.f. 1-9-2019).
45
1[(la) specifications, conditions for approval, retrofitment and other related matters for the
alteration of motor vehicles under sub-section (1) of section 52;
(lb) the conditions for the alteration of any motor vehicle into an adapted vehicle under
sub-section (2) of section 52;]
(m) the form in which the certificate of fitness shall be issued under sub-section (1) of section 56
and the particulars and information it shall contain;
(n) the period for which the certificate of fitness granted or renewed under section 56 shall be
effective;
1[(na) the distinguishing mark to be carried on the body of transport vehicles under
sub-section (6) of section 56;
(nb) the conditions under which the application of section 56 may be extended to non-transport
vehicles under sub-section (7) of section 56;
(nc) the recycling of motor vehicles and parts thereof which have exceeded their life under
sub-section (4) of section 59;]
(o) the fees to be charged for the issue or renewal or alteration of certificates of registration, for
making an entry regarding transfer of ownership on a certificate of registration, for making or
cancelling an endorsement in respect of agreement of hire-purchase or lease or hypothecation on a
certificate of registration, for certificates of fitness for registration marks, and for the examination or
inspection of motor vehicles, and the refund of such fees.
1[(oa) all or any of the matters under sub-section (1) of section 62B;
(ob) all or any of the matters under sub-section (1) and sub-section (2) of section 63;]
(p) any other matter which is to be, or may be, prescribed by the Central Government.
65. Power of State Government to make rules.—(1) A State Government may make rules for the
purpose of carrying into effect the provisions of this Chapter other than the matters specified in
section 64.
(2) Without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing power, such rules may provide for—
(a) the conduct and hearing of appeals that may be preferred under this Chapter (the fees to be
paid in respect of such appeals and the refund of such fees);
(b) the appointment, functions and jurisdiction of registering and other prescribed authorities;
(c) the exemption of road-rollers, graders and other vehicles designed and used solely for the
construction, repair and cleaning of roads from all or any of the provisions of this Chapter and the
rules made thereunder and the conditions governing such exemption;
(d) the issue or renewal of certificates of registration and fitness and duplicates of such
certificates to replace the certificates lost, destroyed or mutilated;
(e) the production of certificates of registration before the registering authority for the revision of
entries therein of particulars relating to the gross vehicle weight;
(f) the temporary registration of motor vehicles, and the issue of temporary certificate of
registration and marks 2[under the proviso to section 43];
(g) the manner in which the particulars referred to in sub-section (2) of section 58 and other
prescribed particulars shall be exhibited;
(h) the exemption of prescribed persons or prescribed classes of persons from payment of all or
any portion of the fees payable under this Chapter;
1. Ins. by Act 32 of 2019, s. 27 (w.e.f. 1-9-2019).
2. Ins. by s. 28, ibid. (w.e.f. 1-9-2019).
46
(i) the forms, other than those prescribed by the Central Government, to be used for the purpose
of this Chapter;
(j) the communication between registering authorities of particulars of certificates of registration
and by owners of vehicles registered outside the State of particulars of such vehicles and of their
registration;
(k) the amount or amounts under sub-section (13) of section 41 or sub-section (7) of section 47 or
sub-section (4) of section 49 or sub-section (5) of section 50;
(l) the extension of the validity of certificates of fitness pending consideration of applications for
their renewal;
(m) the exemption from the provisions of this Chapter, and the conditions and fees for exemption,
of motor vehicles in the possession of dealers;
(n) the form in which and the period within which the return under section 62 shall be sent;
1* * * * *
(p) any other matter which is to be or may be prescribed.
STATE AMENDMENT
Haryana
Amendment of section 65.—For clause (h) of sub-section (2) of section 65 of the Motor Vehicles Act,
1988, the following clause shall be substituted, namely:—
“(h) the exemption of prescribed persons or prescribed classes of persons from payment of all or any
portion of the fee payable under this Chapter retrospectively or prospectively;”
[Vide Haryana Act 39 of 2019, s. 2]
CHAPTER V
CONTROL OF TRANSPORT VEHICLES
66. Necessity for permits.—(1) No owner of a motor vehicle shall use or permit the use of the
vehicle as a transport vehicle in any public place whether or not such vehicle is actually carrying any
passengers or goods save in accordance with the conditions of a permit granted or countersigned by a
Regional or State Transport Authority or any prescribed authority authorising him the use of the vehicle
in that place in the manner in which the vehicle is being used:
Provided that a stage carriage permit shall, subject to any conditions that may be specified in the
permit, authorise the use of the vehicle as a contract carriage:
Provided further that a stage carriage permit may, subject to any conditions that may be specified in
the permit, authorise the use of the vehicle as a goods carriage either when carrying passengers or not:
Provided also that a goods carriage permit shall, subject to any conditions that may be specified in the
permit, authorise the use of the vehicle for the carriage of goods for or in connection with a trade or
business carried on by him:
2[Provided also that where a transport vehicle has been issued any permit or permits, as well as a
licence under this Act, such vehicle may be used either under the permit, or permits, so issued to it, or
under such licence, at the discretion of the vehicle owner.]
(2) The holder of a goods carriage permit may use the vehicle, for the drawing of any public or
semitrailer not owned by him, subject to such conditions as may be prescribed:
3[Provided that the holder of a permit of any articulated vehicle may use the prime-mover of that
articulated vehicle for any other semi-trailor.]
(3) The provisions of sub-section (1) shall not apply—
(a) to any transport vehicle owned by the Central Government or a State Government and used
for Government purposes unconnected with any commercial enterprise;
(b) to any transport vehicle owned by a local authority or by a person acting under contract with a
local authority and used solely for road cleansing, road watering or conservancy purposes;
1. Cl. (o) omitted by Act 32 of 2019, s. 28 (w.e.f. 1-4-2021).
2. Ins. by s. 29, ibid. (w.e.f. 1-9-2019).
3. Added by Act 54 of 1994, s. 20 (w.e.f. 14-11-1994).
47
(c) to any transport vehicle used solely for police, fire brigade or ambulance purposes;
(d) to any transport vehicle used solely for the conveyance of corpses and the mourners
accompanying the corpses;
(e) to any transport vehicle used for towing a disabled vehicle or for removing goods from a
disabled vehicle to a place of safety;
(f) to any transport vehicle used for any other public purpose as may be prescribed by the State
Government in this behalf;
(g) to any transport vehicle used by a person who manufactures or deals in motor vehicles or
builds bodies for attachment to chassis, solely for such purposes and in accordance with such
conditions as the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, specify in this
behalf;
1* * * * *
(i) to any goods vehicle, the gross vehicle weight of which does not exceed 3,000 kilograms;
(j) subject to such conditions as the Central Government may, by notification in the Official
Gazette, specify, to any transport vehicle purchased in one State and proceeding to a place, situated in
that State or in any other State, without carrying any passenger or goods;
(k) to any transport vehicle which has been temporarily registered under section 43 while
proceeding empty to any place for the purpose of registration of the vehicle;
2* * * * *
(m) to any transport vehicle which, owing to flood, earthquake or any other natural calamity,
obstruction on road, or unforeseen circumstances is required to be diverted through any other route,
whether within or outside the State, with a view to enabling it to reach its destination;
(n) to any transport vehicle used for such purposes as the Central or State Government may, by
order, specify;
(o) to any transport vehicle which is subject to a hire-purchase, lease or hypothecation agreement
and which owing to the default of the owner has been taken possession of by or on behalf of, the
person with whom the owner has entered into such agreement, to enable such motor vehicle to reach
its destination; or
(p) to any transport vehicle while proceeding empty to any place for purpose of repair;
3[(q) to any transport vehicle having been issued a licence under a scheme, under sub-section (3)
of section 67 or sub-section (1) of section 88A, or plying under such orders as may be issued by the
Central Government or by the State Government.]
(4) Subject to the provisions of sub-section (3), sub-section (1) shall, if the State Government by rule
made under section 96 so prescribes, apply to any motor vehicle adapted to carry more than nine persons
excluding the driver.
4[66A. National Transportation Policy.—The Central Government may develop a National
Transportation Policy consistent with the objects of this Act in concurrence with the State Governments
and other agencies with a view to—
(i) establish a planning framework for passengers and goods transportation within which transport
bodies are to operate;
1. Cl. (h) omitted by Act 27 of 2000, s. 4 (w.e.f. 11-8-2000).
2. Cl. (l) omitted by Act 39 of 2001, s. 2 (w.e.f. 27-9-2001).
3. Ins. by Act 32 of 2019, s. 29 (w.e.f. 1-9-2019).
4. Ins. by s. 30, ibid. (w.e.f. 1-9-2019).
48
(ii) establish a medium and long term planning framework for all forms of road transport, identify
areas for the development of transport improvement infrastructure across India in consultation with
the authorities and agencies related to ports, railways and aviation as well as with local and State level
planning, land holding and regulatory authorities for the delivery of an integrated multimodal
transport system;
(iii) establish the framework of grant of permits and schemes;
(iv) establish strategic policy for transport by road and its role as a link to other means of
transport;
(v) identify strategic policies and specify priorities for the transport system that address current
and future challenges;
(vi) provide medium to long term strategic directions, priorities and actions;
(vii) promote competition, innovation, increase in capacity, seamless mobility and greater
efficiency in transport of goods or livestock or passengers, and economical use of resources;
(viii) safeguard the interest of the public and promote equity, while seeking to enhance private
participation and public-private partnership in the transport sector;
(ix) demonstrate an integrated approach to transport and land use planning;
(x) identify the challenges that the National Transportation Policy seeks to address; and
(xi) address any other matter deemed relevant by the Central Government.
66B. No bar against permit holders to apply and hold licences under schemes.—No person who
holds the permit issued under this Act shall—
(a) be disqualified from applying for a licence under the scheme made under sub-section (3) of
section 67 or sub-section (1) of section 88A by reason of holding such permit; and
(b) be required to get such permit cancelled on being issued a licence under any scheme made
under this Act.]
67. Power to State Government to control road transport.—1[(1) A State Government, having
regard to—
(a) the advantages offered to the public, trade and industry by the development of motor
transport;
(b) the desirability of co-ordinating road and rail transport;
(c) the desirability of preventing the deterioration of the road system; and
(d) promoting effective competition among the transport service providers,
may, from time to time, by notification in the Official Gazette issue directions both to the State Transport
Authority and Regional Transport Authority regarding the passengers’ convenience, economically
competitive fares, prevention of overcrowding and road safety.]
(2) Any direction under sub-section (1) regarding the fixing of fares and freights for stage carriages,
contract carriages and goods carriages may provide that such fares or freights shall be inclusive of the tax
payable by the passengers or the consignors of the goods, as the case may be, to the operators of the stage
1. Subs. by Act 32 of 2019 s. 31, for sub-section (1) (w.e.f. 1-9-2019).
49
carriages, contract carriages or goods carriages under any law for the time being in force relating to tax on
passengers and goods:
1[Provided that the State Government may subject to such conditions as it may deem fit, and with a
view to achieving the objectives specified in clause (d) of sub-section (1), relax all or any of the
provisions made under this Chapter.]
1[(3) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, the State Government may, by notification in
the Official Gazette, modify any permit issued under this Act or make schemes for the transportation of
goods and passengers and issue licences under such scheme for the promotion of development and
efficiency in transportation—
(a) last mile connectivity;
(b) rural transport;
(c) reducing traffic congestion;
(d) improving urban transport;
(e) safety of road users;
(f) better utilisation of transportation assets;
(g) the enhancement of economic vitality of the area, through competitiveness, productivity and
efficiency;
(h) the increase in the accessibility and mobility of people;
(i) the protection and enhancement of the environment;
(j) the promotion of energy conservation;
(k) improvement of the quality of life;
(l) enhance integration and connectivity of the transportation system, across and between modes
of transport; and
(m) such other matters as the Central Government may deem fit.
(4) The scheme framed under sub-section (3), shall specify the fees to be charged, form of application
and grant of a licence including the renewal, suspension, cancellation or modification of such licence.]
68. Transport Authorities.—(1) The State Government shall, by notification in the Official Gazette,
constitute for the State a State Transport Authority to exercise and discharge the powers and functions
specified in sub-section (3), and shall in like manner constitute Regional Transport Authorities to exercise
and discharge throughout such areas (in this Chapter referred to as regions) as may be specified in the
notification, in respect of each Regional Transport Authority; the powers and functions conferred by or
under this Chapter on such Authorities:
Provided that in the Union territories, the Administrator may abstain from constituting any Regional
Transport Authority.
(2) A State Transport Authority or a Regional Transport Authority shall consist of a Chairman who
has had judicial experience or experience as an appellate or a revisional authority or as an adjudicating
authority competent to pass any order or take any decision under any law and in the case of a State
Transport Authority, such other persons (whether officials or not), not being more than four and, in the
case of a Regional Transport Authority, such other persons (whether officials or not), not being more than
two, as the State Government may think fit to appoint; but no person who has any financial interest
whether as proprietor, employee or otherwise in any transport undertaking shall be appointed, or continue
1. Ins. by Act 32 of 2019, s. 31 (w.e.f. 1-9-2019).
50
to be, a member of a State or Regional Transport Authority, and, if any person being a member of any
such Authority acquires a financial interest in any transport undertaking, he shall within four weeks of so
doing, give notice in writing to the State Government of the acquisition of such interest and shall vacate
office:
Provided that nothing in this sub-section shall prevent any of the members of the State Transport
Authority or a Regional Transport Authority, as the case may be, to preside over a meeting of such
Authority during the absence of the Chairman, notwithstanding that such member does not possess
judicial experience or experience as an appellate or a revisional authority or as an adjudicating authority
competent to pass any order or take any decision under any law:
Provided further that the State Government may,—
(i) where it considers necessary or expedient so to do, constitute the State Transport Authority or
a Regional Transport Authority for any region so as to consist of only one member who shall be an
official with judicial experience or experience as an appellate or a revisional authority or as an
adjudicating authority competent to pass any order or take any decision under any law;
(ii) by rules made in this behalf, provide for the transaction of business of such authorities in the
absence of the Chairman or any other member and specify the circumstances under which, and the
manner in which, such business could be so transacted:
Provided also that nothing in this sub-section shall be construed as debarring an official (other than an
official connected directly with the management or operation of a transport undertaking) from being
appointed or continuing as a member of any such authority merely by reason of the fact that the
Government employing the official has, or acquires, any financial interest in a transport undertaking.
(3) The State Transport Authority and every Regional Transport Authority shall give effect to any
directions issued under section 67 and the State Transport Authority shall, subject to such directions and
save as otherwise provided by or under this Act, exercise and discharge throughout the State the
following powers and functions, namely:—
(a) to co-ordinate and regulate the activities and policies of the Regional Transport Authorities, if
any, of the State;
(b) to perform the duties of a Regional Transport Authority where there is no such Authority and,
if it thinks fit or if so required by a Regional Transport Authority, to perform those duties in respect
of any route common to two or more regions;
(c) to settle all disputes and decide all matters on which differences of opinion arise between
Regional Transport Authorities; and
1[(ca) Government to formulate routes for plying stage carriages;]
(d) to discharge such other functions as may be prescribed.
(4) For the purpose of exercising and discharging the powers and functions specified in
sub-section (3), a State Transport Authority may, subject to such conditions as may be prescribed, issue
directions to any Regional Transport Authority, and the Regional Transport Authority shall, in the
discharge of its functions under this Act, give effect to and be guided by such directions.
(5) The State Transport Authority and any Regional Transport Authority, if authorised in this behalf
by rules made under section 96, may delegate such of its powers and functions to such authority or person
subject to such restrictions, limitations and conditions as may be prescribed by the said rules.
69. General provision as to applications for permits.—(1) Every application for a permit shall be
made to the Regional Transport Authority of the region in which it is proposed to use the vehicle or
vehicles:
Provided that if it is proposed to use the vehicle or vehicles in two or more regions lying within the
same State, the application shall be made to the Regional Transport Authority of the region in which the
1. Ins. by Act 54 of 1994, s. 22 (w.e.f. 14-11-1994).
51
major portion of the proposed route or area lies, and in case the portion of the proposed route or area in
each of the regions is approximately equal, to the Regional Transport Authority of the region in which it
is proposed to keep the vehicle or vehicles:
Provided further that if it is proposed to use the vehicle or vehicles in two or more regions lying in
different States, the application shall be made to the Regional Transport Authority of the region in which
the applicant resides or has his principal place of business.
(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), the State Government may, by notification
in the Official Gazette, direct that in the case of any vehicle or vehicles proposed to be used in two or
more regions lying in different States, the application under that sub-section shall be made to the State
Transport Authority of the region in which the applicant resides or has his principal place of business.
70. Application for stage carriage permit.—(1) An application for a permit in respect of a stage
carriage (in this Chapter referred to as a stage carriage permit) or as a reserve stage carriage shall, as far
as may be, contain the following particulars, namely:—
(a) the route or routes or the area or areas to which the application relates;
(b) the type and seating capacity of each such vehicle;
(c) the minimum and maximum number of daily trips proposed to be provided and the time-table
of the normal trips.
Explanation.—For the purposes of this section, section 72, section 80 and section 102, “trip”
means a single journey from one point to another, and every return journey shall be deemed to be a
separate trip;
(d) the number of vehicles intended to be kept in reserve to maintain the service and to provide
for special occasions;
(e) the arrangements intended to be made for the housing, maintenance and repair of the vehicles,
for the comfort and convenience of passengers and for the storage and safe custody of luggage;
(f) such other matters as may be prescribed.
(2) An application referred to in sub-section (1) shall be accompanied by such documents as may be
prescribed.
71. Procedure of Regional Transport Authority in considering application for stage carriage
permit.—(1) A Regional Transport Authority shall, while considering an application for a stage carriage
permit, have regard to the objects of this Act.
1* * * * *
(2) A Regional Transport Authority shall refuse to grant a stage carriage permit if it appears from any
time-table furnished that the provisions of this Act relating to the speed at which vehicles may be driven
are likely to be contravened:
Provided that before such refusal an opportunity shall be given to the applicant to amend the
time-table so as to conform to the said provisions.
(3) (a) The State Government shall, if so directed by the Central Government having regard to the
number of vehicles, road conditions and other relevant matters, by notification in the Official Gazette,
direct a State Transport Authority and a Regional Transport Authority to limit the number of stage
carriages generally or of any specified type, as may be fixed and specified in the notification, operating on
city routes in towns with a population of not less than five lakhs.
(b) Where the number of stage carriages are fixed under clause (a), the Government of the State shall
reserve in the State certain percentage of stage carriage permits for the scheduled castes and the scheduled
tribes in the same ratio as in the case of appointments made by direct recruitment to public services in the
State.
1. Proviso omitted by Act 54 of 1994, s. 23 (w.e.f. 14-11-1994).
52
(c) Where the number of stage carriages are fixed under clause (a), the Regional Transport Authority
shall reserve such number of permits for the scheduled castes and the scheduled tribes as may be fixed by
the State Government under sub-clause (b).
(d) After reserving such number of permits as is referred to in clause (c), the Regional Transport
Authority shall in considering an application have regard to the following matters, namely:—
(i) financial stability of the applicant;
(ii) satisfactory performance as a stage carriage operator including payment of tax if the applicant
is or has been an operator of stage carriage service; and
(iii) such other matters as may be prescribed by the State Government:
Provided that, other conditions being equal, preference shall be given to applications for permits
from—
(i) State transport undertakings;
(ii) co-operative societies registered or deemed to have been registered under any enactment for
the time being in force; 1***
(iii) ex-servicemen; 2[or]
2[(iv) any other class or category of persons, as the State Government may, for reasons to be
recorded in writing, consider necessary.]
3* * * * *
Explanation.—For the purposes of this section “company” means any body corporate, and includes a
firm or other association of individuals; and “director”, in relation to a firm, means a partner in the firm.
STATE AMENDMENT
Kerala
Amendment of section 71.—In section 71 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 (Central Act 59 of 1988),
(hereinafter referred to as the principal Act), in sub-section (4).—
(i) for the words “five” and “ten”, the words “ten” and “fifty” shall, respectively, be substituted;
(ii) for the words “any company”, the words “any co-operative society or to any company” shall be
substituted.
[Vide Kerala Act 12 of 1993, sec. 2.]
72. Grant of stage carriage permits.—(1) Subject to the provisions of section 71, a Regional
Transport Authority may, on an application made to it under section 70, grant a stage carriage permit in
accordance with the application or with such modifications as it deems fit or refuse to grant such a permit:
Provided that no such permit shall be granted in respect of any route or area not specified in the
application.
(2) The Regional Transport Authority, if it decides to grant a stage carriage permit, may grant the
permit for a stage carriage of a specified description and may, subject to any rules that may be made
under this Act, attach to the permit any one or more of the following conditions, namely:—
(i) that the vehicles shall be used only in a specified area, or on a specified route or routes;
(ii) that the operation of the stage carriage shall be commenced with effect from a specified date;
(iii) the minimum and maximum number of daily trips to be provided in relation to any route or
area generally or on specified days and occasions;
(iv) that copies of the time-table of the stage carriage approved by the Regional Transport
Authority shall be exhibited on the vehicles and at specified stands and halts on the route or within
the area;
(v) that the stage carriage shall be operated within such margins of deviation from the approved
time-table as the Regional Transport Authority may from time to time specify;
(vi) that within municipal limits and such other areas and places as may be prescribed, passengers
or goods shall not be taken up or set down except at specified points;
1. The word “or” omitted by Act 54 of 1994, s. 23 (w.e.f. 14-11-1994).
2. Ins. by s. 23, ibid. (w.e.f. 14-11-1994).
3. S. s. (4) and (5) omitted by s. 23, ibid. (w.e.f. 14-11-1994).
53
(vii) the maximum number of passengers and the maximum weight of luggage that may be
carried on the stage carriage, either generally or on specified occasions or at specified times and
seasons;
(viii) the weight and nature of passengers, luggage that shall be carried free of charge, the total
weight of luggage that may be carried in relation to each passenger, and the arrangements that shall
be made for the carriage of luggage without causing inconvenience to passengers;
(ix) the rate of charge that may be levied for passengers’ luggage in excess of the free allowance;
(x) that vehicles of a specified type fitted with body conforming to approved specifications shall
be used:
Provided that the attachment of this condition to a permit shall not prevent the continued use, for
a period of two years from the date of publication of the approved specifications, of any vehicle
operating on that date;
(xi) that specified standards of comfort and cleanliness shall be maintained in the vehicles;
(xii) the conditions subject to which goods may be carried in the stage carriage in addition to or to
the exclusion of passengers;
(xiii) that fares shall be charged in accordance with the approved fare table;
(xiv) that a copy of, or extract from, the fare table approved by the Regional Transport Authority
and particulars of any special fares or rates of fares so approved for particular occasions shall be
exhibited on the stage carriage and at specified stands and halts;
(xv) that tickets bearing specified particulars shall be issued to passengers and shall show the
fares actually charged and that records of tickets issued shall be kept in a specified manner;
(xvi) that mails shall be carried on the vehicle subject to such conditions (including conditions as
to the time in which mails are to be carried and the charges which may be levied) as may be specified;
(xvii) the vehicles to be kept as reserve by the holder of the permit to maintain the operation and
to provide for special occasions;
(xviii) the conditions subject to which vehicle may be used as a contract carriage;
(xix) that specified arrangements shall be made for the housing, maintenance and repair of
vehicle;
(xx) that any specified bus station or shelter maintained by Government or a local authority shall
be used and that any specified rent or fee shall be paid for such use;
(xxi) that the conditions of the permit shall not be departed from, save with the approval of the
Regional Transport Authority;
(xxii) that the Regional Transport Authority may, after giving notice of not less than one
month,—
(a) vary the conditions of the permit;
(b) attach to the permit further conditions:
Provided that the conditions specified in pursuance of clause (i) shall not be varied so as to alter
the distance covered by the original route by more than 24 kilometers, and any variation within such
limits shall be made only after the Regional Transport Authority is satisfied that such variation will
serve the convenience of the public and that it is not expedient to grant a separate permit in respect of
the original route as so varied or any part thereof;
(xxiii) that the holder of a permit shall furnish to the Regional Transport Authority such periodical
returns, statistics and other information as the State Government may from time to time prescribe;
(xxiv) any other conditions which may be prescribed:
54
1[Provided that the Regional Transport Authority may waive any such condition for a stage carriage
permit operating in a rural area, as it deems fit.]
73. Application for contract carriage permit.—An application for a permit in respect of a contract
carriage (in this Chapter referred to as a contract carriage permit) shall contain the following particulars,
namely:—
(a) the type and seating capacity of the vehicle;
(b) the area for which the permit is required;
(c) any other particulars which may be prescribed.
74. Grant of contract carriage permit.—(1) Subject to the provisions of sub-section (3), a Regional
Transport Authority may, on an application made to it under section 73, grant a contract carriage permit
in accordance with the application or with such modifications as it deems fit or refuse to grant such a
permit:
Provided that no such permit shall be granted in respect of any area not specified in the application.
(2) The Regional Transport Authority, if it decides to grant a contract carriage permit, may, subject to
any rules that may be made under this Act, attach to the permit any one or more of the following
conditions, namely:—
(i) that the vehicles shall be used only in a specified area or on a specified route or routes;
(ii) that except in accordance with specified conditions, no contract of hiring, other than an
extension or modification of a subsisting contract, may be entered into outside the specified area;
(iii) the maximum number of passengers and the maximum weight of luggage that may be carried
on the vehicles, either generally or on specified occasions or at specified times and seasons;
(iv) the conditions subject to which goods may be carried in any contract carriage in addition to,
or to the exclusion of, passengers;
(v) that, in the case of motor cabs, specified fares or rates of fares shall be charged and a copy of
the fare table shall be exhibited on the vehicle;
(vi) that, in the case of vehicles other than motor cabs, specified rates of hiring not exceeding
specified maximum shall be charged;
(vii) that, in the case of motor cabs, a special weight of passengers’ luggage shall be carried free
of charge, and that the charge, if any, for any luggage in excess thereof shall be at a specified rate;
(viii) that, in the case of motor cabs, a taximeter shall be fitted and maintained in proper working
order, if prescribed;
(ix) that the Regional Transport Authority may, after giving notice of not less than one month,—
(a) vary the conditions of the permit;
(b) attach to the permit further conditions;
(x) that the conditions of permit shall not be departed from save with the approval of the Regional
Transport Authority;
(xi) that specified standards of comfort and cleanliness shall be maintained in the vehicles;
(xii) that, except in the circumstances of exceptional nature, the plying of the vehicle or carrying
of the passengers shall not be refused;
(xiii) any other conditions which may be prescribed:
1. Ins. by Act 32 of 2019, s. 32 (w.e.f. 1-9-2019).
55
1[Provided that the Regional Transport Authority may in the interests of last mile connectivity waive
any such condition in respect of any such types of vehicles as may be specified by the Central
Government.]
(3) (a) The State Government shall, if so directed by the Central Government, having regard to the
number of vehicles, road conditions and other relevant matters, by notification in the Official Gazette,
direct a State Transport Authority and a Regional Transport Authority to limit the number of contract
carriages generally or of any specified type, as may be fixed and specified in the notification, operating on
city routes in towns with a population of not less than five lakhs.
(b) Where the number of contract carriages are fixed under clause (a), the Regional Transport
Authority shall, in considering an application for the grant of permit in respect of any such contract
carriage, have regard to the following matters, namely:—
(i) financial stability of the applicant;
(ii) satisfactory performance as a contract carriage operator including payment of tax if the
applicant is or has been an operator of contract carriages; and
(iii) such other matters as may be prescribed by the State Government:
Provided that, other conditions being equal, preference shall be given to applications for permits
from—
(i) the India Tourism Development Corporation;
(ii) State Tourism Development Corporations;
(iii) State Tourism Departments;
(iv) State transport undertakings;
(v) co-operative societies registered or deemed to have been registered under any enactment for
the time being in force;
(vi) ex-servicemen;
1[(vii) self-help groups.]
75. Scheme for renting of motor cabs.—(1) The Central Government may, by notification in the
Official Gazette, make a scheme for the purpose of regulating the business of renting of 2[motor cabs or
motor cycles to persons desiring to drive either by themselves or through drivers, motor cabs or motor
cycles] for their own use and for matters connected therewith.
(2) A scheme made under sub-section (1) may provide for all or any of the following matters,
namely:—
(a) licensing of operators under the scheme including grant, renewal and revocation of such
licences;
(b) form of application and form of licences and the particulars to be contained therein;
(c) fee to be paid with the application for such licences;
(d) the authorities to which the application shall be made;
(e) condition subject to which such licences may be granted, renewed or revoked;
(f) appeals against orders of refusal to grant or renew such licences and appeals against orders
revoking such licences;
(g) conditions subject to which motor cabs may be rented;
(h) maintenance of records and inspection of such records;
(i) such other matters as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this section.
1. Ins. by Act 32 of 2019, s. 33 (w.e.f. 1-9-2019).
2. Subs. by Act 54 of 1994, s. 24, for “motor cabs to persons desiring to drive the cabs” (w.e.f. 14-11-1994).
56
76. Application for private service vehicle permit.—(1) A Regional Transport Authority may, on
an application made to it, grant a private service vehicle permit in accordance with the application or with
such modification as it deems fit or refuse to grant such permit:
Provided that no such permit shall be granted in respect of any area or route not specified in the
application.
(2) An application for a permit to use a motor vehicle as a private service vehicle shall contain the
following particulars, namely:—
(a) type and seating capacity of the vehicle;
(b) the area or the route or routes to which the application relates;
(c) the manner in which it is claimed that the purpose of carrying persons otherwise than for hire
or reward or in connection with the trade or business carried on by the applicant will be served by the
vehicle; and
(d) any other particulars which may be prescribed.
(3) The Regional Transport Authority if it decides to grant the permit may, subject to any rules that
may be made under this Act, attach to the permit any one or more of the following conditions, namely:—
(i) that the vehicle be used only in a specified area or on a specified route or routes;
(ii) the maximum number of persons and the maximum weight of luggage that may be carried;
(iii) that the Regional Transport Authority may, after giving notice of not less than one month—
(a) vary the conditions of the permit;
(b) attach to the permit further conditions;
(iv) that the conditions of permit shall not be departed from, save with the approval of the
Regional Transport Authority;
(v) that specified standards of comforts and cleanliness shall be maintained in the vehicle;
(vi) that the holder of the permit shall furnish to the Regional Transport Authority such periodical
returns, statistics and other information as the State Government may, from time to time, specify; and
(vii) such other conditions as may be prescribed.
77. Application for goods carriage permit.—An application for a permit to use a motor vehicle for
the carriage of goods for hire or reward or for the carriage of goods for or in connection with a trade or
business carried on by the applicant (in this Chapter referred to as a goods carriage permit) shall, as far as
may be, contain the following particulars, namely:—
(a) the area or the route or routes to which the application relates;
(b) the type and capacity of the vehicle;
(c) the nature of the goods it is proposed to carry;
(d) the arrangements intended to be made for the housing, maintenance and repair of the vehicle
and for the storage and safe custody of the goods;
(e) such particulars as the Regional Transport Authority may require with respect to any business
as a carrier of goods for hire or reward carried on by the applicant at any time before the making of
the application, and of the rates charged by the applicant;
(f) particulars of any agreement, or arrangement, affecting in any material respect the provision
within the region of the Regional Transport Authority of facilities for the transport of goods for hire
or reward, entered into by the applicant with any other person by whom such facilities are provided,
whether within or without the region;
(g) any other particulars which may be prescribed.
57
78. Consideration of application for goods carriage permit.—A Regional Transport Authority
shall, in considering an application for a goods carriage permit, have regard to the following matters,
namely:—
(a) the nature of the goods to be carried with special reference to their dangerous or hazardous
nature to human life;
(b) the nature of the chemicals or explosives to be carried with special reference to the safety to
human life.
79. Grant of goods carriage permit.—(1) A Regional Transport Authority may, on an application
made to it under section 77, grant a goods carriage permit to be valid throughout the State or in
accordance with the application or with such modifications as it deems fit or refuse to grant such a permit:
Provided that no such permit shall be granted in respect of any area or route not specified in the
application.
(2) The Regional Transport Authority, if it decides to grant a goods carriage permit, may grant the
permit and may, subject to any rules that may be made under this Act, attach to the permit any one or
more of the following conditions, namely:—
(i) that the vehicle shall be used only in a specified area or on a specified route or routes;
(ii) that the gross vehicle weight of any vehicle used shall not exceed a specified maximum;
(iii) that goods of a specified nature shall not be carried;
(iv) that goods shall be carried at specified rates;
(v) that specified arrangement shall be made for the housing, maintenance and repair of the
vehicle and the storage and safe custody of the goods carried;
(vi) that the holder of the permit shall furnish to the Regional Transport Authority such periodical
returns, statistics and other information as the State Government may, from time to time, prescribe;
(vii) that the Regional Transport Authority may, after giving notice of not less than one month,—
(a) vary the conditions of the permit;
(b) attach to the permit further conditions;
(viii) that the conditions of the permit shall not be departed from, save with the approval of the
Regional Transport Authority;
(ix) any other conditions which may be prescribed.
(3) The conditions referred to in sub-section (2) may include conditions relating to the packaging and
carriage of goods of dangerous or hazardous nature to human life.
80. Procedure in applying for and granting permits.—(1) An application for a permit of any kind
may be made at any time.
(2) A 1[Regional Transport Authority, State Transport Authority or any prescribed authority referred
to in sub-section (1) of section 66] shall not ordinarily refuse to grant an application for permit of any
kind made at any time under this Act:
Provided that the 1[Regional Transport Authority, State Transport Authority or any prescribed
authority referred to in sub-section (1) of section 66] may summarily refuse the application if the grant of
any permit in accordance with the application would have the effect of increasing the number of stage
carriages as fixed and specified in a notification in the Official Gazette under clause (a) of sub-section (3)
of section 71 or of contract carriages as fixed and specified in a notification in the Official Gazette under
clause (a) of sub-section (3) of section 74:
1. Subs. by Act 54 of 1994, s. 25, for “Regional Transport Authority” (w.e.f. 14-11-1994).
58
Provided further that where a 1[Regional Transport Authority, State Transport Authority or any
prescribed authority referred to in sub-section (1) of section 66] refuses an application for the grant of a
permit of any kind under this Act, it shall give to the applicant in writing its reasons for the refusal of the
same and an opportunity of being heard in the matter.
(3) An application to vary the conditions of any permit, other than a temporary permit, by the
inclusion of a new route or routes or a new area or by altering the route or routes or area covered by it, or
in the case of a stage carriage permit by increasing the number of trips above the specified maximum or
by the variation, extension or curtailment of the route or routes or the area specified in the permit shall be
treated as an application for the grant of a new permit:
Provided that it shall not be necessary so to treat an application made by the holder of stage carriage
permit who provides the only service on any route to increase the frequency of the service so provided
without any increase in the number of vehicles:
Provided further that,—
(i) in the case of variation, the termini shall not be altered and the distance covered by the
variation shall not exceed twenty-four kilometres;
(ii) in the case of extension, the distance covered by extension shall not exceed twenty-four
kilometres from the termini,
and any such variation or extension within such limits shall be made only after the transport authority is
satisfied that such variation will serve the convenience of the public and that it is not expedient to grant a
separate permit in respect of the original route as so varied or extended or any part thereof.
(4) A 1[Regional Transport Authority, State Transport Authority or any prescribed authority referred
to in sub-section (1) of section 66] may, before such date as may be specified by it in this behalf, replace
any permit granted by it before the said date by a fresh permit conforming to the provisions of section 72
or section 74 or section 76 or section 79, as the case may be, and the fresh permit shall be valid for the
same route or routes or the same area for which the replaced permit was valid:
Provided that no condition other than a condition which was already attached to the replaced permit
or which could have been attached thereto under the law in force when that permit was granted shall be
attached to the fresh permit except with the consent in writing of the holder of the permit.
(5) Notwithstanding anything contained in section 81, a permit issued under the provisions of
sub-section (4) shall be effective without renewal for the remainder of the period during which the
replaced permit would have been so effective.
81. Duration and renewal of permits.—(1) A permit other than a temporary permit issued under
section 87 or a special permit issued under sub-section (8) of section 88 shall be effective 2[from the date
of issuance or renewal thereof] for a period of five years:
Provided that where the permit is countersigned under sub-section (1) of section 88, such
countersignature shall remain effective without renewal for such period so as to synchronise with the
validity of the primary permit.
(2) A permit may be renewed on an application made not less than fifteen days before the date of its
expiry.
(3) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (2), the Regional Transport Authority or the
State Transport Authority, as the case may be, may entertain an application for the renewal of a permit
after the last date specified in that sub-section if it is satisfied that the applicant was prevented by good
and sufficient cause from making an application within the time specified.
(4) The Regional Transport Authority or the State Transport Authority, as the case may be, may reject
an application for the renewal of a permit on one or more of the following grounds, namely:—
1. Subs. by Act 54 of 1994, s. 25, for “Regional Transport Authority” (w.e.f. 14-11-1994).
2. Subs. by s. 26, ibid., for “without renewal” (w.e.f. 14-11-1994).
59
(a) the financial condition of the applicant as evidenced by insolvency, or decrees for payment of
debts remaining unsatisfied for a period of thirty days, prior to the date of consideration of the
application;
(b) the applicant had been punished twice or more for any of the following offences within twelve
months reckoned from fifteen days prior to the date of consideration of the application committed as a
result of the operation of a stage carriage service by the applicant, namely:—
(i) plying any vehicle—
(1) without payment of tax due on such vehicle;
(2) without payment of tax during the grace period allowed for payment of such tax and
then stop the plying of such vehicle;
(3) on any unauthorised route;
(ii) making unauthorised trips:
Provided that in computing the number of punishments for the purpose of clause (b), any punishment
stayed by the order of an appellate authority shall not be taken into account:
Provided further that no application under this sub-section shall be rejected unless an opportunity of
being heard is given to the applicant.
(5) Where a permit has been renewed under this section after the expiry of the period thereof, such
renewal shall have effect from the date of such expiry irrespective of whether or not a temporary permit
has been granted under clause (d) of section 87, and where a temporary permit has been granted, the fee
paid in respect of such temporary permit shall be refunded.
82. Transfer of permit.—(1) Save as provided in sub-section (2), a permit shall not be transferable
from one person to another except with the permission of the transport authority which granted the permit
and shall not, without such permission, operate to confer on any person to whom a vehicle covered by the
permit is transferred any right to use that vehicle in the manner authorised by the permit.
(2) Where the holder of a permit dies, the person succeeding to the possession of the vehicle covered
by the permit may, for a period of three months, use the permit as if it had been granted to himself:
Provided that such person has, within thirty days of the death of the holder, informed the transport
authority which granted the permit of the death of the holder and of his own intention to use the permit:
Provided further that no permit shall be so used after the date on which it would have ceased to be
effective without renewal in the hands of the deceased holder.
(3) The transport authority may, on application made to it within three months of the death of the
holder of a permit, transfer the permit to the person succeeding to the possession of the vehicles covered
by the permit:
Provided that the transport authority may entertain an application made after the expiry of the said
period of three months if it is satisfied that the applicant was prevented by good and sufficient cause from
making an application within the time specified.
83. Replacement of vehicles.—The holder of a permit may, with the permission of the authority by
which the permit was granted, replace any vehicle covered by the permit by any other vehicle of the same
nature.
84. General conditions attaching to all permits.—The following shall be conditions of every
permit—
(a) that the vehicle to which the permit relates carries valid certificate of fitness issued under
section 56 and is at all times so maintained as to comply with the requirements of this Act and the
rules made thereunder;
(b) that the vehicle to which the permit relates is not driven at a speed exceeding the speed
permitted under this Act;
60
(c) that any prohibition or restriction imposed and any fares or freight fixed by notification made
under section 67 are observed in connection with the vehicle to which the permit relates;
(d) that the vehicle to which the permit relates is not driven in contravention of the provisions of
section 5 or section 113;
(e) that the provisions of this Act limiting the hours of work of drivers are observed in connection
with any vehicle or vehicles to which the permit relates;
(f) that the provisions of Chapters X, XI and XII so far as they apply to the holder of the permit
are observed; and
(g) that the name and address of the operator shall be painted or otherwise firmly affixed to every
vehicle to which the permit relates on the exterior of the body of that vehicle on both sides thereof in
a colour or colours vividly contrasting to the colour of the vehicle centered as high as practicable
below the window line in bold letters.
85. General form of permits.—Every permit issued under this Act shall be complete in itself and
shall contain all the necessary particulars of the permit and the conditions attached thereto.
86. Cancellation and suspension of permits.—(1) The transport authority which granted a permit
may cancel the permit or may suspend it for such period as it thinks fit—
(a) on the breach of any condition specified in section 84 or of any condition contained in the
permit, or
(b) if the holder of the permit uses or causes or allows a vehicle to be used in any manner not
authorised by the permit, or
(c) if the holder of the permit ceases to own the vehicle covered by the permit, or
(d) if the holder of the permit has obtained the permit by fraud or misrepresentation, or
(e) if the holder of the goods carriage permit, fails without reasonable cause, to use the vehicle for
the purposes for which the permit was granted, or
(f) if the holder of the permit acquires the citizenship of any foreign country:
Provided that no permit shall be suspended or cancelled unless an opportunity has been given to the
holder of the permit to furnish his explanation.
(2) The transport authority may exercise the powers conferred on it under sub-section (1) in relation
to a permit granted by any authority or person to whom power in this behalf has been delegated under
sub-section (5) of section 68 as if the said permit was a permit granted by the transport authority.
(3) Where a transport authority cancels or suspends a permit, it shall give to the holder in writing its
reasons for the action taken.
(4) The powers exercisable under sub-section (1) (other than the power to cancel a permit) by the
transport authority which granted the permit may be exercised by any authority or person to whom such
powers have been delegated under sub-section (5) of section 68.
(5) Where a permit is liable to be cancelled or suspended under clause (a) or clause (b) or clause (e)
of sub-section (1) and the transport authority is of opinion that having regard to the circumstances of the
case, it would not be necessary or expedient so to cancel or suspend the permit if the holder of the permit
agrees to pay a certain sum of money, then, notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), the
transport authority may, instead of cancelling or suspending the permit, as the case may be, recover from
the holder of the permit the sum of money agreed upon.
(6) The powers exercisable by the transport authority under sub-section (5) may, where an appeal has
been preferred under section 89, be exercised also by the appellate authority.
(7) In relation to a permit referred to in sub-section (9) of section 88, the powers exercisable under
sub-section (1) (other than the power to cancel a permit) by the transport authority which granted the
permit, may be exercised by any transport authority and any authority or persons to whom power in this
61
behalf has been delegated under sub-section (5) of section 68, as if the said permit was a permit granted
by any such authority or persons.
87. Temporary permits.—(1) A Regional Transport Authority and the State Transport Authority
may without following the procedure laid down in section 80, grant permits, to be effective for a limited
period which shall, not in any case exceed four months, to authorise the use of a transport vehicle
temporarily—
(a) for the conveyance of passengers on special occasions such as to and from fairs and religious
gatherings, or
(b) for the purposes of a seasonal business, or
(c) to meet a particular temporary need, or
(d) pending decision on an application for the renewal of a permit,
and may attach to any such permit such condition as it may think fit:
Provided that a Regional Transport Authority or, as the case may be, State Transport Authority may,
in the case of goods carriages, under the circumstances of an exceptional nature, and for reasons to be
recorded in writing, grant a permit for a period exceeding four months, but not exceeding one year.
(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), a temporary permit may be granted
thereunder in respect of any route or area where—
(i) no permit could be issued under section 72 or section 74 or section 76 or section 79 in respect
of that route or area by reason of an order of a court or other competent authority restraining the issue
of the same, for a period not exceeding the period for which the issue of the permit has been so
restrained; or
(ii) as a result of the suspension by a court or other competent authority of the permit of any
vehicle in respect of that route or area, there is no transport vehicle of the same class with a valid
permit in respect of that route or area, or there is no adequate number of such vehicles in respect of
that route or area, for a period not exceeding the period of such suspension:
Provided that the number of transport vehicles in respect of which temporary permits are so granted
shall not exceed the number of vehicles in respect of which the issue of the permits have been restrained
or, as the case may be, the permit has been suspended.
88. Validation of permits for use outside region in which granted.—(1) Except as may be
otherwise prescribed, a permit granted by the Regional Transport Authority of any one region shall not be
valid in any other region, unless the permit has been countersigned by the Regional Transport Authority
of that other rigion, and a permit granted in any one State shall not be valid in any other State unless
countersigned by the State Transport Authority of that other State or by the Regional Transport Authority
concerned:
Provided that a goods carriage permit, granted by the Regional Transport Authority of any one
region, for any area in any other region or regions within the same State shall be valid in that area without
the countersignature of the Regional Transport Authority of the other region or of each of the other
regions concerned:
Provided further that where both the starting point and the terminal point of a route are situate within
the same State, but part of such route lies in any other State and the length of such part does not exceed
sixteen kilometres, the permit shall be valid in the other State in respect of that part of the route which is
in that other State notwithstanding that such permit has not been countersigned by the State Transport
Authority or the Regional Transport Authority of that other State:
Provided also that—
(a) where a motor vehicle covered by a permit granted in one State is to be used for the purposes
of defence in any other State, such vehicle shall display a certificate, in such form, and issued by such
Authority, as the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, specify, to the
62
effect that the vehicle shall be used for the period specified therein exclusively for the purposes of
defence; and
(b) any such permit shall be valid in that other State notwithstanding that such permit has not
been countersigned by the State Transport Authority or the Regional Transport Authority of that other
State.
(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), a permit granted or countersigned by a
State Transport Authority shall be valid in the whole State or in such regions within the State as may be
specified in the permit.
(3) A Regional Transport Authority when countersigning the permit may attach to the permit any
condition which it might have imposed if it had granted the permit and may likewise vary any condition
attached to the permit by the authority by which the permit was granted.
(4) The provisions of this Chapter relating to the grant, revocation and suspension of permits shall
apply to the grant, revocation and suspension of countersignatures of permits:
Provided that it shall not be necessary to follow the procedure laid down in section 80 for the grant of
countersignatures of permits, where the permits granted in any one State are required to be countersigned
by the State Transport Authority of another State or by the Regional Transport Authority concerned as a
result of any agreement arrived at between the States after complying with the requirements of
sub-section (5).
(5) Every proposal to enter into an agreement between the States to fix the number of permits which
is proposed to be granted or countersigned in respect of each route or area, shall be published by each of
the State Governments concerned in the Official Gazette and in any one or more of the newspapers in
regional language circulating in the area or route proposed to be covered by the agreement together with a
notice of the date before which representations in connection therewith may be submitted, and the date
not being less than thirty days from the date of publication in the Official Gazette, on which, and the
authority by which, and the time and place at which, the proposal and any representation received in
connection therewith will be considered.
(6) Every agreement arrived at between the States shall, in so far as it relates to the grant of
countersignature of permits, be published by each of the State Governments concerned in the Official
Gazette and in any one or more of the newspapers in the regional language circulating in the area or route
covered by the agreement and the State Transport Authority of the State and the Regional Transport
Authority concerned shall give effect to it.
(7) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), a Regional Transport Authority of one
region may issue a temporary permit under section 87 to be valid in another region or State with the
concurrence, given generally or for the particular occasion, of the Regional Transport Authority of that
other region or of the State Transport Authority of that other State, as the case may be.
(8) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), but subject to any rules that may be made
under this Act by the Central Government, the Regional Transport Authority of any one region or, as the
case may be, the State Transport Authority, may, for the convenience of the public, 1[grant a special
permit to any public service vehicle including any vehicle covered] by a permit issued under section 72
(including a reserve stage carriage) or under section 74 or under sub-section (9) of this section for
carrying a passenger or passengers for hire or reward under a contract, express or implied, for the use of
the vehicle as a whole without stopping to pick up or set down along the line of route passengers not
included in the contract, and in every case where such special permit is granted, the Regional Transport
Authority shall assign to the vehicle, for display thereon, a special distinguishing mark in the form and
manner specified by the Central Government and such special permit shall be valid in any other region or
State without the countersignature of the Regional Transport Authority of the other region or of the State
Transport Authority of the other State, as the case may be.
1. Subs. by Act 54 of 1994, s. 27, for “grant a special permit in relation to a vehicle covered” (w.e.f. 14-11-1994).
63
(9) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1) but subject to any rules that may be made
by the Central Government under sub-section (14), any State Transport Authority may, for the purpose of
promoting tourism, grant permits in respect of tourist vehicles valid for the whole of India, or in such
contiguous States not being less than three in number including the State in which the permit is issued as
may be specified in such permit in accordance with the choice indicated in the application and the
provisions of sections 73, 74, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86 1[clause (d) of sub-section (1) of section 87 and
section 89] shall, as far as may be, apply in relation to such permits.
2* * * * *
(11) The following shall be conditions of every permit granted under sub-section (9), namely:—
(i) every motor vehicle in respect of which such permit is granted shall conform to such
description, requirement regarding the seating capacity, standards of comforts, amenities and other
matters, as the Central Government may specify in this behalf;
(ii) every such motor vehicle shall be driven by a person having such qualifications and satisfying
such conditions as may be specified by the Central Government; and
(iii) such other conditions as may be prescribed by the Central Government.
(12) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), but, subject to the rules that may be made
by the Central Government under sub-section (14), the appropriate authority may, for the purpose of
encouraging long distance inter-State road transport, grant in a State, national permits in respect of goods
carriages and the provisions of sections 69, 77, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86 1[clause (d) of
sub-section (1) of section 87 and section 89] shall, as far as may be, apply to or in relation to the grant of
national permits.
3* * * * *
(14) (a) The Central Government may make rules for carrying out the provisions of this section.
(b) In particular, and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing power, such rules may
provide for all or any of the following matters, namely:—
(i) the authorisation fee payable for the issue of a permit referred to in sub-sections (9) and (12);
(ii) the fixation of the laden weight of the motor vehicle;
(iii) the distinguishing particulars or marks to be carried or exhibited in or on the motor vehicle;
(iv) the colour or colours in which the motor vehicle is to be painted;
(v) such other matters as the appropriate authority shall consider in granting a national permit.
Explanation.—In this section,—
(a) “appropriate authority”, in relation to a national permit, means the authority which is
authorised under this Act to grant a goods carriage permit;
(b) “authorisation fee” means the annual fee, not exceeding one thousand rupees, which may be
charged by the appropriate authority of a State to enable a motor vehicle, covered by the permit
referred to in sub-sections (9) and (12) to be used in other States subject to the payment of taxes or
fees, if any, levied by the States concerned;
(c) “national permit” means a permit granted by the appropriate authority to goods carriages to
operate throughout the territory of India or in such contiguous States, not being less than four in
number, including the State in which the permit is issued as may be specified in such permit in
accordance with the choice indicated in the application.
1. Subs. by Act 54 of 1994, s. 27, for “and 89” (w.e.f. 14-11-1994).
2. Sub-section (10) omitted by s. 27, ibid. (w.e.f. 14-11-1994).
3. Sub-section (13) omitted by s. 27, ibid. (w.e.f. 14-11-1994).
64
1[88A. Power of Central Government to make schemes for national, multimodal and inter-State
transport of passengers and goods.—(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, the Central
Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, modify any permit issued under this Act or
make schemes for national, multimodal and inter-State transportation of goods or passengers, and issue or
modify licences under, such scheme for the following purposes, namely:—
(a) last mile connectivity;
(b) rural transport;
(c) improving the movement of freight, and logistics;
(d) better utilisation of transportation assets;
(e) the enhancement to the economic vitality of the area, especially by enabling competitiveness,
productivity and efficiency;
(f) the increase in the accessibility and mobility of people;
(g) the protection and enhancement of the environment;
(h) the promotion of energy conservation;
(i) improvement of the quality of life;
(j) enhancement of the integration and connectivity of the transportation system, across and
between modes of transport; and
(k) such other matters as the Central Government may deem fit:
Provided that the Central Government may, before taking any action under this sub-section seek
concurrence of the State Governments.
(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), two or more States may make schemes for
the operation within such States for the inter-State transportation of goods or passengers:
Provided that in the event of any repugnancy between the schemes made by the Central Government
under sub-section (1) and schemes made by two or more States under this sub-section, the schemes made
under sub-section (1) shall prevail.]
89. Appeals.—(1) Any person—
(a) aggrieved by the refusal of the State or a Regional Transport Authority to grant a permit, or by
any condition attached to a permit granted to him, or
(b) aggrieved by the revocation or suspension of the permit or by any variation of the conditions
thereof, or
(c) aggrieved by the refusal to transfer the permit under section 82, or
(d) aggrieved by the refusal of the State or a Regional Transport Authority to countersign a
permit, or by any condition attached to such countersignature, or
(e) aggrieved by the refusal of renewal of a permit, or
(f) aggrieved by the refusal to grant permission under section 83, or
(g) aggrieved by any other order which may be prescribed,
may, within the prescribed time and in the prescribed manner, appeal to the State Transport Appellate
Tribunal constituted under sub-section (2), who shall, after giving such person and the original authority
an opportunity of being heard, give a decision thereon which shall be final.
2[(2) The State Government shall constitute such number of Transport Appellate Tribunals as
it thinks fit and each such Tribunal shall consist of a judicial officer who is not below the rank of a
1. Ins. by Act 32 of 2019, s. 34 (w.e.f. 1-9-2019).
2. Subs. by Act 54 of 1994, s. 28, for sub-section (2) (w.e.f. 14-11-1994).
65
District Judge or who is qualified to be a Judge of the High Court and it shall exercise jurisdiction
within such area as may be notified by that Government.]
(3) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1) or sub-section (2), every appeal pending at
the commencement of this Act, shall continue to be proceeded with and disposed of as if this Act had not
been passed.
Explanation.—For the removal of doubts, it is hereby declared that when any order is made by the
State Transport Authority or the Regional Transport Authority in pursuance of a direction issued by the
Inter-State Transport Commission under clause (c) of sub-section (2) of section 63A of the Motor
Vehicles Act, 1939 (4 of 1939), as it stood immediately before the commencement of this Act, and any
person feels aggrieved by such order on the ground that it is not in consonance with such direction, he
may appeal under sub-section (1) to the State Transport Appellate Tribunal against such order but not
against the direction so issued.
90. Revision.—The State Transport Appellate Tribunal may, on an application made to it, call for the
record of any case in which an order has been made by a State Transport Authority or Regional Transport
Authority against which no appeal lies, and if it appears to the State Transport Authority Appellate
Tribunal that the order made by the State Transport Authority or Regional Transport Authority is
improper or illegal, the State Transport Appellate Tribunal may pass such order in relation to the case as it
deems fit and every such order shall be final:
Provided that the State Transport Appellate Tribunal shall not entertain any application from a person
aggrieved by an order of a State Transport Authority or Regional Transport Authority, unless the
application is made within thirty days from the date of the order:
Provided further that the State Transport Appellate Tribunal may entertain the application after the
expiry of the said period of thirty days, if it is satisfied that the applicant was prevented by good and
sufficient cause from making the application in time:
Provided also that the State Transport Appellate Tribunal shall not pass an order under this section
prejudicial to any person without giving him a reasonable opportunity of being heard.
91. Restriction of hours of work of drivers.—1[(1) The hours of work of any person engaged for
operating a transport vehicle shall be such as provided in the Motor Transport Workers Act, 1961
(27 of 1961).]
(2) A State Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, grant such exemptions from the
provisions of sub-section (1) as it thinks fit, to meet cases of emergency or of delays by reason of
circumstances which could not be foreseen.
(3) A State Government or, if authorised in this behalf by the State Government by rules made under
section 96, the State or a Regional Transport Authority may require persons employing any person whose
work is subject to any of the provisions of sub-section (1) to fix beforehand the hours of work of such
persons so as to conform to those provisions, and may provide for the recording of the hours so fixed.
(4) No person shall work or shall cause or allow any other person to work outside the hours fixed or
recorded for the work of such persons under sub-section (3).
(5) A State Government may prescribe the circumstances under which and the period during which
the driver of a vehicle although not engaged in work is required to remain on or near the vehicle may be
deemed to be an interval for rest within the meaning of sub-section (1).
92. Voidance of contracts restrictive of liability.—Any contract for the conveyance of a passenger
in a 2[transport vehicle, in respect of which a permit or licence] has been issued under this Chapter, shall,
so far as it purports to negative or restrict the liability of any person in respect of any claim made against
that person in respect of the death of, or bodily injury to, the passenger while being carried in, entering or
1. Subs. by Act 54 of 1994, s. 29, for sub-section (1) (w.e.f. 14-11-1994).
2. Subs. by Act 32 of 2019, s. 35, for “stage carriage or contract carriage, in respect of which a permit” (w.e.f. 1-9-2019).
66
alighting from the vehicle, or purports to impose any conditions with respect to the enforcement of any
such liability, be void.
93. 1[Agent or canvasser or aggregator to obtain licence.]— (1) No person shall engage himself—
(i) as an agent or a canvasser, in the sale of tickets for travel by public service vehicles or in
otherwise soliciting custom for such vehicles; or
(ii) as an agent in the business of collecting, forwarding or distributing goods carried by goods
carriages;
2[(iii) as an aggregator,]
unless he has obtained a licence from such authority and subject to such conditions as may be
prescribed by the State Government.
2[Provided that while issuing the licence to an aggregator the State Government may follow such
guidelines as may be issued by the Central Government:
Provided further that every aggregator shall comply with the provisions of the Information
Technology Act, 2000 (21 of 2000) and the rules and regulations made thereunder.]
(2) The conditions referred to in sub-section (1) may include all or any of the following matters,
namely:—
(a) the period for which a licence may be granted or renewed;
(b) the fee payable for the issue or renewal of the licence;
(c) the deposit of security—
(i) of a sum not exceeding rupees fifty thousand in the case of an agent in the business of
collecting, forwarding or distributing goods carried by goods carriages;
(ii) of a sum not exceeding rupees five thousand in the case of any other agent or canvasser,
and the circumstances under which the security may be forfeited;
(d) the provision by the agent of insurance of goods in transit;
(e) the authority by which and the circumstances under which the licence may be suspended or
revoked;
(f) such other conditions as may be prescribed by the State Government.
(3) It shall be a condition of every licence that no agent or canvasser to whom the licence is granted
shall advertise in any newspaper, book, list, classified directory or other publication unless there is
contained in such advertisement appearing in such newspapers, book, list, classified directory or other
publication the licence number, the date of expiry of licence and the particulars of the authority which
granted the licence.
94. Bar on jurisdiction of Civil Courts.—No Civil Court shall have jurisdiction to entertain any
question relating to the grant of a permit 3[or licence issued under any scheme] under this Act, and no
injunction in respect of any action taken or to be taken by the duly constituted authorities under this Act
with regard to the grant of a permit 3[or licence issued under any scheme], shall be entertained by any
Civil Court.
95. Power of State Government to make rules as to stage carriages and contract carriages.—(1)
A State Government may make rules to regulate, in respect of stage carriages and contract carriages and
the conduct of passengers in such vehicles.
(2) Without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing provision, such rules may—
1. Subs. by Act 32 of 2019, s. 36, for the marginal heading “Agent or canvasser to obtain licence” (w.e.f. 27-11-2020).
2. Ins. by s. 36, ibid. (w.e.f. 27-11-2020).
3. Ins. by s. 37, ibid. (w.e.f. 1-9-2019).
67
(a) authorise the removal from such vehicle of any person contravening the rules by the driver or
conductor of the vehicle, or, on the request of the driver or conductor, or any passenger, by any police
officer;
(b) require a passenger who is reasonably suspected by the driver or conductor of contravening
the rules to give his name and address to a police officer or to the driver or conductor on demand;
(c) require a passenger to declare, if so demanded by the driver or conductor, the journey he
intends to take or has taken in the vehicle and to pay the fare for the whole of such journey and to
accept any ticket issued therefor;
(d) require, on demand being made for the purpose by the driver or conductor or other person
authorised by the owners of the vehicle, production during the journey and surrender at the end of the
journey by the holder thereof of any ticket issued to him;
(e) require a passenger, if so requested by the driver or conductor, to leave the vehicle on the
completion of the journey the fare for which he has paid;
(f) require the surrender by the holder thereof on the expiry of the period for which it is issued of
a ticket issued to him;
(g) require a passenger to abstain from doing anything which is likely to obstruct or interfere with
the working of the vehicle or to cause damage to any part of the vehicle or its equipment or to cause
injury or discomfort to any other passenger;
(h) require a passenger not to smoke in any vehicle on which a notice prohibiting smoking is
exhibited;
(i) require the maintenance of complaint books in stage carriages and prescribe the conditions
under which passengers can record any complaints in the same.
96. Power of State Government to make rules for the purposes of this Chapter.—(1) A State
Government may make rules for the purpose of carrying into effect the provisions of this Chapter.
(2) Without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing power, rules under this section may be made
with respect to all or any of the following matters, namely:—
(i) the period of appointment and the terms of appointment of and the conduct of business by
Regional and State Transport Authorities and the reports to be furnished by them;
(ii) the conduct of business by any such authority in the absence of any member (including the
Chairman) thereof and the nature of business which, the circumstances under which and the manner
in which, business could be so conducted;
(iii) the conduct and hearing of appeals that may be preferred under this Chapter, the fees to be
paid in respect of such appeals and the refund of such fees;
(iv) the forms to be used for the purposes of this Chapter, including the forms of permits;
(v) the issue of copies of permits in place of permits lost, destroyed or multilated;
(vi) the documents, plates and marks to be carried by transport vehicles, the manner in which they
are to be carried and the languages in which any such documents are to be expressed;
(vii) the fees to be paid in respect of applications for permits, duplicate permits and plates;
(viii) the exemption of prescribed persons or prescribed classes of persons from payment of all or
any or any portion of the fees payable under this Chapter;
(ix) the custody, production and cancellation on revocation or expiration of permits, and the
return of permits which have been cancelled;
(x) the conditions subject to which, and the extent to which, a permit granted in another State
shall be valid in the State without countersignature;
68
(xi) the conditions subject to which, and the extent to which, a permit granted in one region shall
be valid in another region within the State without countersignature;
(xii) the conditions to be attached to permits for the purpose of giving effect to any agreement
such as is referred to in clause (iii) of sub-section (1) of section 67;
(xiii) the authorities to whom, the time within which and the manner in which appeals may be
made;
(xiv) the construction and fittings of, and the equipment to be carried by, stage and contract
carriage, whether generally or in specified areas;
(xv) the determination of the number of passengers a stage or contract carriage is adapted to carry
and the number which may be carried;
(xvi) the conditions subject to which goods may be carried on stage and contract carriages partly
or wholly in lieu of passengers;
(xvii) the safe custody and disposal of property left in a stage or contract carriage;
(xviii) regulating the painting or marking of transport vehicles and the display of advertising
matter thereon, and in particular prohibiting the painting or marking of transport vehicles in such
colour or manner as to induce any person to believe that the vehicle is used for the transport of mails;
(xix) the conveyance in stage or contract carriages of corpses or persons suffering from any
infectious or contagious disease or goods likely to cause discomfort or injury to passengers and the
inspection and disinfection of such carriages; if used for such purposes;
(xx) the provision of taxi meters on motor cabs requiring approval or standard types of taxi meters
to be used and examining testing and sealing taxi meters;
(xxi) prohibiting the picking up or setting down of passengers by stage or contract carriages at
specified places or in specified areas or at places other than duly notified stands or halting places and
requiring the driver of a stage carriage to stop and remain stationary for a reasonable time when so
required by a passenger desiring to board or alight from the vehicle at a notified halting place;
(xxii) the requirements which shall be complied with in the construction or use of any duly
notified stand or halting place, including the provision of adequate equipment and facilities for the
convenience of all users thereof; the fees, if any, which may be charged for the use of such facilities,
the records which shall be maintained at such stands or places, the staff to be employed thereat, and
the duties and conduct of such staff, and generally for maintaining such stands and places in a
serviceable and clean condition;
(xxiii) the regulation of motor cab ranks;
(xxiv) requiring the owners of transport vehicles to notify any change of address or to report the
failure of or damage to any vehicle used for the conveyance of passengers for hire or reward;
(xxv) authorising specified persons to enter at all reasonable times and inspect all premises used
by permit holders for the purposes of their business;
(xxvi) requiring the person in charge of a stage carriage to carry any person tendering the legal or
customary fare;
(xxvii) the conditions under which and the types of containers or vehicles in which animals or
birds may be carried and the seasons during which animals or birds may or may not be carried;
(xxviii) the licensing of and the regulation of the conduct of agents or canvassers who engage in
the sale of tickets for travel by public service vehicles or otherwise solicit custom for such vehicles;
(xxix) the licensing of agents engaged in the business of collecting for forwarding and distributing
goods carried by goods carriages;
(xxx) the inspection of transport vehicles and their contents and of the permits relating to them;
(xxxi) the carriage of persons other than the driver in goods carriages;
69
(xxxii) the records to be maintained and the returns to be furnished by the owners of transport
vehicles; and
1[(xxxiia) framing of schemes under sub-section (3) of section 67;
(xxxiib) the promotion of effective competition, passenger convenience and safety, competitive
fares and prevention of overcrowding;]
(xxxiii) any other matter which is to be or may be prescribed.
CHAPTER VI
SPECIAL PROVISIONS RELATING TO STATE TRANSPORT UNDERTAKINGS
97. Definition.—In this Chapter, unless the context otherwise requires, “road transport service”
means a service of motor vehicles carrying passengers or goods or both by road for hire or reward.
98. Chapter to override Chapter V and other laws.—The provisions of this Chapter and the rules
and orders made thereunder shall have effect notwithstanding anything inconsistent therewith contained
in Chapter V or in any other law for the time being in force or in any instrument having effect by virtue of
any such law.
99. Preparation and publication of proposal regarding road transport service of a State
transport undertaking.—2[(1)] Where any State Government is of opinion that for the purpose of
providing an efficient, adequate, economical and properly co-ordinated road transport service, it is
necessary in the public interest that road transport services in general or any particular class of such
service in relation to any area or route or portion thereof should be run and operated by the State transport
undertaking, whether to the exclusion, complete or partial, of other persons or otherwise, the State
Government may formulate a proposal regarding a scheme giving particulars of the nature of the services
proposed to be rendered, the area or route proposed to be covered and other relevant particulars respecting
thereto and shall publish such proposal in the Official Gazette of the State formulating such proposal and
in not less than one newspaper in the regional language circulating in the area or route proposed to be
covered by such scheme and also in such other manner as the State Government formulating such
proposal deem fit.
3[(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), when a proposal is published under that
sub-section, then from the date of publication of such proposal, no permit shall be granted to any person,
except a temporary permit during the pendency of the proposal and such temporary permit shall be valid
only for a period of one year from the date of its issue of till the date of final publication of the scheme
under section 100, whichever is earlier.]
100. Objection to the proposal.—(1) On the publication of any proposal regarding a scheme in the
Official Gazette and in not less than one newspaper in the regional language circulating in the area or
route which is to be covered by such proposal any person may, within thirty days from the date of its
publication in the Official Gazette, file objections to it before the State Government.
(2) The State Government may, after considering the objections and after giving an opportunity to the
objector or his representatives and the representatives of the State transport undertaking to be heard in the
matter, if they so desire, approve or modify such proposal.
(3) The scheme relating to the proposal as approved or modified under sub-section (2) shall then be
published in the Official Gazette by the State Government making such scheme and in not less than one
newspaper in the regional language circulating in the area or route covered by such scheme and the same
shall thereupon become final on the date of its publication in the Official Gazette and shall be called the
approved scheme and the area or route to which it relates shall be called the notified area or notified
route:
1. Ins. by Act 32 of 2019, s. 38 (w.e.f. 1-9-2019).
2. Section 99 renumbered as sub-section (1) thereof by Act of 54 of 1994, s. 30 (w.e.f. 14-11-1994).
3. Ins. by s. 30, ibid. (w.e.f. 14-11-1994).
70
Provided that no such scheme which relates to any inter-State route shall be deemed to be an
approved scheme unless it has the previous approval of the Central Government.
(4) Notwithstanding anything contained in this section, where a scheme is not published as an
approved scheme under sub-section (3) in the Official Gazette within a period of one year from the date
of publication of the proposal regarding the scheme in the Official Gazette under sub-section (1), the
proposal shall be deemed to have lapsed.
Explanation.—In computing the period of one year referred to in this sub-section, any period or
periods during which the publication of the approved scheme under sub-section (3) was held up on
account of any stay or injunction by the order of any court shall be excluded.
101. Operation of additional services by a State transport undertaking in certain
circumstances.—Notwithstanding anything contained in section 87, a State transport undertaking may, in
the public interest operate additional services for the conveyance of the passengers on special occasions
such as to and from fairs and religious gatherings:
Provided that the State transport undertaking shall inform about the operation of such additional
services to the concerned Transport Authority without delay.
102. Cancellation or modification of scheme.—(1) The State Government may, at any time, if it
considers necessary, in the public interest so to do, modify any approved scheme after giving—
(i) the State transport undertaking; and
(ii) any other person who, in the opinion of the State Government, is likely to be affected by the
proposed modification,
an opportunity of being heard in respect of the proposed modification.
(2) The State Government shall publish any modification proposed under sub-section (1) in the
Official Gazette and in one of the newspapers in the regional languages circulating in the area in which it
is proposed to be covered by such modification, together with the date, not being less than thirty days
from such publication in the Official Gazette, and the time and place at which any representation received
in this behalf will be heard by the State Government.
103. Issue of permits to State transport undertakings.—(1) Where, in pursuance of an approved
scheme, any State transport undertaking applies in such manner as may be prescribed by the State
Government in this behalf for a stage carriage permit or a goods carriage permit or a contract carriage
permit in respect of a notified area or notified route, the State Transport Authority in any case where the
said area or route lies in more than one region and the Regional Transport Authority in any other case
shall issue such permit to the State transport undertaking, notwithstanding anything to the contrary
contained in Chapter V.
(2) For the purpose of giving effect to the approved scheme in respect of a notified area or notified
route, the State Transport Authority or, as the case may be, the Regional Transport Authority concerned
may, by order,—
(a) refuse to entertain any application for the grant or renewal of any other permit or reject any
such application as may be pending;
(b) cancel any existing permit;
(c) modify the terms of any existing permit so as to—
(i) render the permit ineffective beyond a specified date;
(ii) reduce the number of vehicles authorised to be used under the permit;
(iii) curtail the area or route covered by the permit in so far as such permit relates to the
notified area or notified route.
(3) For the removal of doubts, it is hereby declared that no appeal shall lie against any action taken, or
order passed, by the State Transport Authority or any Regional Transport Authority under sub-section (1)
or sub-section (2).
STATE AMENDMENTS
Karnataka
Amendment of section 103.—In section 103 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 (Central Act 59 of
1988), after sub-section (1), the following shall be inserted, namely:—
71
“(1A) It shall be lawful for the State Transport undertaking to operate on any route as stage carriage under any
permit issued therefor to such undertaking under sub-section (1), any vehicle placed at the disposal and under the
control of such undertaking by the owner of such vehicle under any arrangement entered into between such owner
and the undertaking for the use of the said vehicle by the undertaking.]
[Vide Karnataka Act 11 of 1996, sec. 2].
Haryana
Amendment of section 103.—After sub-section (1) of section 103 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, the
following sub-section shall be inserted, namely:-
“(1A) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, State Transport Undertaking may operate on any route as
Stage Carriage under any permit issued thereof to such undertaking under sub-section (1), any vehicle, placed at the
disposal and under the control of such undertaking by the owner of such vehicle under any arrangement, entered into
between such owner and the undertaking for the use of the said vehicle by the undertaking.
[Vide Haryana Act 22 of 2018, sec. 2].
104. Restriction on grant of permits in respect of a notified area or notified route.—Where a scheme has
been published under sub-section (3) of section 100 in respect of any notified area or notified route, the State
Transport Authority or the Regional Transport Authority, as the case may be, shall not grant any permit except in
accordance with the provisions of the scheme:
Provided that where no application for a permit has been made by the State transport undertaking in respect of
any notified area or notified route in pursuance of an approved scheme, the State Transport Authority or the
Regional Transport Authority, as the case may be, may grant temporary permits to any person in respect of such
notified area or notified route subject to the condition that such permit shall cease to be effective on the issue of a
permit to the State transport undertaking in respect of that area or route.
105. Principles and method of determining compensation and payment thereof.—(1) Where, in exercise of
the powers conferred by clause (b) or clause (c) of sub-section (2) of section 103, any existing permit is cancelled or
the terms thereof are modified, there shall be paid by the State transport undertaking to the holder of the permit,
compensation, the amount of which shall be determined in accordance with the provisions of sub-section (4) or
sub-section (5), as the case may be.
(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), no compensation shall be payable on account of the
cancellation of any existing permit or any modification of the terms thereof, when a permit for an alternative route
or area in lieu thereof has been offered by the State Transport Authority or the Regional Transport Authority, as the
case may be and accepted by the holder of the permit.
(3) For the removal of doubts, it is hereby declared that no compensation shall be payable on account of the
refusal to renew a permit under clause (a) of sub-section (2) of section 103.
(4) Where, in exercise of the powers conferred by clause (b) or sub-clause (i) or sub-clause (ii) of clause (c) of
sub-section (2) of section 103, any existing permit is cancelled or the terms thereof are modified so as to prevent the
holder of the permit from using any vehicle authorised to be used thereunder for the full period from which the
permit, would otherwise have been effective, the compensation payable to the holder of the permit for each vehicle
affected by such cancellation or modification shall be computed as follows:—
(a) for every complete month or part of a month exceeding fifteen
days of the unexpired period of the permit
Two hundred rupees;
(b) for part of a month not exceeding fifteen days of the unexpired
period of the permit
One hundred rupees:
Provided that the amount of compensation shall, in no case, be less than four hundred rupees.
(5) Where, in exercise of the powers conferred by sub-clause (iii) of clause (c) of sub-section (2) of section 103,
the terms of an existing permit are modified so as to curtail the area or route of any vehicle authorised to be used
thereunder, the compensation payable to the holder of the permit on account of such curtailment shall be an amount
computed in accordance with the following formula, namely:—
Y A
R
Explanation.—In this formula,—
(i) “Y” means the length or area by which the route or area covered by the permit is curtailed;
(ii) “A” means the amount computed in accordance with sub-section (4);
(iii) “R” means the total length of the route or the total area covered by the permit.
(6) The amount of compensation payable under this section shall be paid by the State transport undertaking to
the person or persons entitled thereto within one month from the date on which the cancellation or modification of
the permit becomes effective:
72
Provided that where the State transport undertaking fails to make the payment within the said period
of one month, it shall pay interest at the rate of seven per cent. per annum from the date on which it falls
due.
106. Disposal of article found in vehicles.—Where any article found in any transport vehicle
operated by the State transport undertaking is not claimed by its owner within the prescribed period, the
State transport undertaking may sell the article in the prescribed manner and the sale proceeds thereof,
after deducting the costs incidental to sale, shall be paid to the owner on demand.
107. Power of State Government to make rules.—(1) The State Government may make rules for
the purpose of carrying into effect the provisions of this Chapter.
(2) In particular and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing power, such rules may
provide for all or any of the following matters, namely:—
(a) the form in which any proposal regarding a scheme may be published under section 99;
(b) the manner in which objections may be filed under sub-section (1) of section 100;
(c) the manner in which objections may be considered and disposed of under sub-section (2) of
section 100;
(d) the form in which any approved scheme may be published under sub-section (3) of
section 100;
(e) the manner in which application under sub-section (1) of section 103 may be made;
(f) the period within which the owner may claim any article found left in any transport vehicle
under section 106 and the manner of sale of such article;
(g) the manner of service of orders under this Chapter;
(h) any other matter which has to be, or may be, prescribed.
108. Certain powers of State Government exercisable by the Central Government.—The powers
conferred on the State Government under this Chapter shall, in relation to a corporation or company
owned or controlled by the Central Government or by the Central Government and one or more State
Governments, be exercisable only by the Central Government in relation to an inter-State route or area.
CHAPTER VII
CONSTRUCTION, EQUIPMENT AND MAINTENANCE OF MOTOR VEHICLES
109. General provision regarding construction and maintenance of vehicles.—(1) Every motor
vehicle shall be so constructed and so maintained as to be at all times under the effective control of the
person driving the vehicle.
(2) Every motor vehicle shall be so constructed as to have right hand steering control unless it is
equipped with a mechanical or electrical signalling device of a prescribed nature.
1[(3) If the Central Government is of the opinion that it is neces sary or expedient so to do
in the public interest, it may by order published in the Official Gazette, notify that any article or
process used by a manufacturer shall conform to such standard as may be specified in that order.]
110. Power of Central Government to make rules.—(1) The Central Government may make rules
regulating the construction, equipment and maintenance of motor vehicles and trailers with respect to all
or any of the following matters, namely:—
(a) the width, height, length and overhang of vehicles and of the loads carried;
2[(b) the size, nature, maximum retail price and condition of tyres, including embossing thereon
of date and year of manufacture and the maximum load carrying capacity;]
(c) brakes and steering gear;
(d) the use of safety glasses including prohibition of the use of tinted safety glasses;
(e) signalling appliances, lamps and reflectors;
(f) speed governors;
1. Ins. by Act 54 of 1994, s. 31 (w.e.f. 14-11-1994).
2. Subs. by s. 32, ibid., for clause (b) (w.e.f. 14-11-1994).
73
(g) the emission of smoke, visible vapour, sparks, ashes, grit or oil;
(h) the reduction of noise emitted by or caused by vehicles;
(i) the embossment of chassis number and engine number and the date of manufacture;
(j) safety belts, handle bars of motor cycles, auto-dippers and other equipments essential for
safety of drivers, passengers and other road users;
(k) standards of the components 1[including software] used in the vehicle as inbuilt safety
devices;
(l) provision for transportation of goods of dangerous or hazardous nature to human life;
(m) standards for emission of air pollutants;
2[(n) installation of catalytic convertors in the class of vehicles to be prescribed;
(o) the placement of audio-visual or radio or tape recorder type of devices in public vehicles;
(p) warranty after sale of vehicle and norms therefor:]
Provided that any rules relating to the matters dealing with the protection of environment, so far as
may be, shall be made after consultation with the Ministry of the Government of India dealing with
environment.
(2) Rules may be made under sub-section (1) governing the matters mentioned therein, including the
manner of ensuring the compliance with such matters and the maintenance of motor vehicles in respect of
such matters, either generally in respect of motor vehicles or trailers or in respect of motor vehicles or
trailers of a particular class or in particular circumstances 1[and such rules may lay down the procedure
for investigation, the officers empowered to conduct such investigations, the procedure for hearing of
such matters and the penalties to be levied thereunder.]
1[(2A) Persons empowered under sub-section (2) to conduct investigations referred to in
sub-section (2) shall have all the powers of a civil court, while trying a suit under the Code of Civil
Procedure, 1908 (5 of 1908) in respect of the following matters, namely:—
(a) summoning and enforcing the attendance of any person and examining him on oath;
(b) requiring the discovery and production of any document;
(c) receiving evidence on affidavit; and
(d) any other matter as may be prescribed.]
(3) Notwithstanding anything contained in this section,—
(a) the Central Government may exempt any class of motor vehicles from the provisions of this
Chapter;
(b) a State Government may exempt any motor vehicle or any class or description of motor
vehicles from the rules made under sub-section (1) subject to such conditions as may be prescribed by
the Central Government.
3[110A. Recall of motor vehicles.—(1) The Central Government may, by order, direct a
manufacturer to recall motor vehicles of a particular type or its variants, if—
(a) a defect in that particular type of motor vehicle may cause harm to the environment or to the
driver or occupants of such motor vehicle or other road users; and
(b) a defect in that particular type of motor vehicle has been reported to the Central Government
by—
1. Ins. by Act 32 of 2019, s. 39 (w.e.f. 1-4-2021).
2. Ins. by Act 54 of 1994, s. 32. (w.e.f. 14-11-1994).
3. Ins. by Act 32 of 2019, s. 40 (w.e.f. 1-4-2021).
74
(i) such percentage of owners, as the Central Government, may by notification in the Official
Gazette, specify; or
(ii) a testing agency; or
(iii) any other source.
(2) Where the defect referred to in sub-section (1) lies in a motor vehicle component, the Central
Government may, by order, direct a manufacturer to recall all motor vehicles which contain such
component, regardless of the type or variants of such motor vehicle.
(3) A manufacturer whose vehicles are recalled under sub-section (1) or sub-section (2), shall—
(a) reimburse the buyers for the full cost of the motor vehicle, subject to any hire-purchase or
lease-hypothecation agreement; or
(b) replace the defective motor vehicle with another motor vehicle of similar or better
specifications which complies with the standards specified under this Act or repair it; and
(c) pay such fines and other dues in accordance with sub-section (6).
(4) Where a manufacturer notices a defect in a motor vehicle manufactured by him, he shall inform
the Central Government of the defect and initiate recall proceedings and in such case the manufacturer
shall not be liable to pay fine under sub-section (3).
(5) The Central Government may authorise any officer to conduct investigation under this section
who shall have all the powers of a civil court, while trying a suit under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908
(5 of 1908) in respect of the following matters, namely:—
(a) summoning and enforcing the attendance of any person and examining him on oath;
(b) requiring the discovery and production of any document;
(c) receiving evidence on affidavit; and
(d) any other matter as may be prescribed.
(6) The Central Government may make rules for regulating the recall of motor vehicles, of a
particular type or its variants, for any defect which in the opinion of the Central Government, may cause
harm to the environment or to the driver or occupants of such motor vehicle or to other road users.
110B. Type approval certificate and testing agencies.— (1) No motor vehicle, including a trailer or
semi-trailer or modular hydraulic trailer or side car shall be sold or delivered or offered for sale or
delivery or used in a public place in India unless a type-approval certificate referred to in sub-section (2)
has been issued in respect of such vehicle:
Provided that the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, extend the
requirement of type-approval certificate to other vehicles drawn or intended to be drawn by a motor
vehicle:
Provided further that such certificate shall not be required for vehicles which are—
(a) intended for export or display or demonstration or exhibition; or
(b) used by a manufacturer of motor vehicles or motor vehicle components or a research and
development centre or a test by agency for testing and validation or for data collection, inside factory
premises or in a non-public place; or
(c) exempted by the Central Government.
(2) The manufacturer or importer of motor vehicles including trailers, semi-trailers, modular
hydraulic trailers and side cars shall submit the prototype of the vehicle to be manufactured or imported
for test to a testing agency for obtaining a type-approval certificate by such agency.
(3) The Central Government shall make rules for the accreditation, registration and regulation of
testing agencies.
75
(4) The testing agencies shall conduct tests on vehicles drawn from the production line of the
manufacturer or obtained otherwise to verify the conformity of such vehicles to the provisions of this
Chapter and the rules and regulations made thereunder.
(5) Where the motor vehicle having a type-approval certificate is recalled under section 110A, the
testing agency which granted the certificate to such motor vehicle shall be liable for its accreditation and
registration to be cancelled.]
111. Power of State Government to make rules.—(1) A State Government may make rules
regulating the construction, equipment and maintenance of motor vehicles and trailers with respect to all
matters other than the matters specified in sub-section (1) of section 110.
(2) Without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing power, rules may be made under this section
governing all or any of the following matters either generally in respect of motor vehicles or trailers or in
respect of motor vehicles or trailers of a particular class or description or in particular circumstances,
namely:—
(a) seating arrangements in public service vehicles and the protection of passengers against the
weather;
(b) prohibiting or restricting the use of audible signals at certain times or in certain places;
(c) prohibiting the carrying of appliances likely to cause annoyance or danger;
(d) the periodical testing and inspection of vehicles by prescribed authorities 1[and fees to be
charged for such test];
(e) the particulars other than registration marks to be exhibited by vehicles and the manner in
which they shall be exhibited;
(f) the use of trailers with motor vehicles; and
2* * * * *
CHAPTER VIII
CONTROL OF TRAFFIC
112. Limits of speed.—(1) No person shall drive a motor vehicle or cause or allow a motor vehicle to
be driven in any public place at a speed exceeding the maximum speed or below the minimum speed
fixed for the vehicle under this Act or by or under any other law for the time being in force:
Provided that such maximum speed shall in no case exceed the maximum fixed for any motor vehicle
or class or description of motor vehicles by the Central Government by notification in the Official
Gazette.
(2) The State Government or any authority authorised in this behalf by the State Government may, if
satisfied that it is necessary to restrict the speed of motor vehicles in the interest of public safety or
convenience or because of the nature of any road or bridge, by notification in the Official Gazette, and by
causing appropriate traffic signs to be placed or erected under section 116 at suitable places, fix such
maximum speed limits or minimum speed limits as it thinks fit for motor vehicles or any specified class
or description of motor vehicles or for motor vehicles to which a trailer is attached, either generally or in
a particular area or on a particular road or roads:
Provided that no such notification is necessary if any restriction under this section is to remain in
force for not more than one month.
(3) Nothing in this section shall apply to any vehicle registered under section 60 while it is being used
in the execution of military manoeuvres within the area and during the period specified in the notification
under sub-section (1) of section 2 of the Manoeuvres, Field Firing and Artillery Practice Act, 1938
(5 of 1938).
1. Ins. by Act 54 of 1994, s. 33 (w.e.f. 14-11-1994).
2. Clause (g) omitted by s. 33, ibid. (w.e.f. 14-11-1994).
76
113. Limits of weight and limitations on use.—(1) The State Government may prescribe the
conditions for the issue of permits for 1[transport vehicles] by the State or Regional Transport Authorities
and may prohibit or restrict the use of such vehicles in any area or route.
(2) Except as may be otherwise prescribed, no person shall drive or cause or allow to be driven in any
public place any motor vehicle which is not fitted with pneumatic tyres.
(3) No person shall drive or cause or allow to be driven in any public place any motor vehicle or
trailer—
(a) the unladen weight of which exceeds the unladen weight specified in the certificate of
registration of the vehicle, or
(b) the laden weight of which exceeds the gross vehicle weight specified in the certificate of
registration.
(4) Where the driver or person in charge of a motor vehicle or trailer driven in contravention of
sub-section (2) or clause (a) of sub-section (3) is not the owner, a Court may presume that the offence
was committed with the knowledge of or under the orders of the owner of the motor vehicle or trailer.
114. Power to have vehicle weighed.—(1) 2[Any officer of the Motor Vehicles Department 3[or any
other person authorised in this behalf by the State Government] shall, if he has reason to believe that a
goods vehicle or trailor is being used in contravention of section 113] require the driver to convey the
vehicle to a weighing device, if any, within a distance of ten kilometres from any point on the forward
route or within a distance of twenty kilometres from the destination of the vehicle for weighment; and if
on such weighment the vehicle is found to contravene in any respect the provisions of section 113
regarding weight, he may, by order in writing, direct the driver to off-load the excess weight at his own
risk and not to remove the vehicle or trailer from that place until the laden weight has been reduced or the
vehicle or trailer has otherwise been dealt with so that it complies with section 113 and on receipt of such
notice, the driver shall comply with such directions.
(2) Where the person authorised under sub-section (1) makes the said order in writing, he shall also
endorse the relevant details of the overloading on the goods carriage permit and also intimate the fact of
such endorsement to the authority which issued that permit.
115. Power to restrict the use of vehicles.—The State Government or any authority authorised in
this behalf by the State Government, if satisfied that it is necessary in the interest of public safety or
convenience, or because of the nature of any road or bridge, may by notification in the Official Gazette,
prohibit or restrict, subject to such exceptions and conditions as may be specified in the notification, the
driving of motor vehicles or of any specified class or description of motor vehicles or the use of trailers
either generally in a specified area or on a specified road and when any such prohibition or restriction is
imposed, shall cause appropriate traffic signs to be placed or erected under section 116 at suitable places:
Provided that where any prohibition or restriction under this section is to remain in force for not more
than one month, notification thereof in the Official Gazette shall not be necessary, but such local publicity
as the circumstances may permit, shall be given of such prohibition or restriction.
116. Power to erect traffic signs.—(1) (a) The State Government or any authority authorised in this
behalf by the State Government may cause or permit traffic signs to be placed or erected in any public
place for the purpose of bringing to public notice any speed limits fixed under sub-section (2) of
section 112 or any prohibitions or restrictions imposed under section 115 or generally for the purpose of
regulating motor vehicle traffic.
(b) A State Government or any authority authorised in this behalf by the State Government may, by
notification in the Official Gazette or by the erection at suitable places of the appropriate traffic sign
referred to in Part A of the Schedule, designate certain roads as main roads for the purposes of the driving
regulations made by the Central Government.
1. Subs. by Act 54 of 1994, s. 34, for “heavy goods vehicles or heavy passenger motor vehicles” (w.e.f. 14-11-1994).
2. Subs. by s. 35, ibid., for certain words and figures (w.e.f. 14-11-1994).
3. Subs. by Act 32 of 2019, s. 41, for “authorised in this behalf by the State Government” (w.e.f. 1-9-2019).
77
1[(1A) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), the National Highways Authority of
India constituted under the National Highways Authority of India Act, 1988 (68 of 1988) or any other
agency authorised by the Central Government, may cause or permit traffic signs, as provided in the First
Schedule, to be placed or erected or removed on national highways for the purpose of regulating motor
vehicle traffic and may order the removal of any sign or advertisement which in its opinion is so placed as
to obscure any traffic sign from view or is so similar in appearance to a traffic sign as to mislead or is
likely to distract the attention or concentration of the driver:
Provided that for the purposes of this sub-section, the National Highway Authority of India or any
other agency authorised by the Central Government may seek assistance from the authorities of the State
Government and the said State Government shall provide such assistance.]
(2) Traffic signs placed or erected under sub-section (1) for any purpose for which provision is made
in the Schedule shall be of the size, colour and type and shall have the meanings set forth in the Schedule,
but the State Government or any authority empowered in this behalf by the State Government may make
or authorise the addition to any sign set forth in the said Schedule, of transcriptions of the words, letters or
figures thereon in such script as the State Government may think fit, provided that the transcriptions shall
be of similar size and colour to the words, letters or figures set forth in the Schedule.
(3) Except as provided by sub-section (1) 1[or sub-section (1A)], no traffic sign shall, after the
commencement of this Act, be placed or erected on or near any road; but all traffic signs placed or erected
prior to the commencement of this Act by any competent authority shall for the purpose of this Act be
deemed to be traffic signs placed or erected under the provisions of sub-section (1).
(4) A State Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, empower any police officer not
below the rank of a Superintendent of Police to remove or cause to be removed any sign or advertisement
which is so placed in his opinion as to obscure any traffic sign from view or any sign or advertisement
which is in his opinion so similar in appearance to a traffic sign as to be misleading or which in his
opinion is likely to distract the attention or concentration of the driver.
(5) No person shall wilfully remove, alter, deface, or in any way tamper with, any traffic signs placed
or erected under this section.
(6) If any person accidentally causes such damage to a traffic sign as renders it useless for the purpose
for which it is placed or erected under this section, he shall report the circumstances of the occurrence to a
police officer or at a police station as soon as possible, and in any case within twenty-four hours of the
occurrence.
(7) For the purpose of bringing the signs set forth in 2[the First Schedule] in conformity with any
International Convention relating to motor traffic to which the Central Government is for the time being a
party, the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, make any addition or
alteration to any such sign and on the issue of any such notification, 2[the First Schedule] shall be deemed
to be amended accordingly.
117. Parking places and halting stations.—The State Government or any authority authorised in
this behalf by the State Government may, in consultation with the local authority having jurisdiction in
the area concerned, determine places at which motor vehicles may stand either indefinitely or for a
specified period of time, and may determine the places at which public service vehicles may stop for a
longer time than is necessary for the taking up and setting down of passengers.
3[Provided that the State Government or the authorised authority shall, give primacy to the safety of
road users and the free flow of traffic in determining such places:
Provided further that for the purpose of this section the National Highways Authority of India,
constituted under the National Highways Authority of India Act, 1988 (68 of 1988) or any other agency
authorised by the Central Government, may also determine such places.]
1. Ins. by Act 32 of 2019, s. 42 (w.e.f. 1-9-2019).
2. Subs. by Act 54 of 1994, s. 36, for “the Schedule” (w.e.f. 14-11-1994).
3. Ins. by Act 32 of 2019, s. 43 (w.e.f. 1-9-2019).
78
118. Driving regulations.—The Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette,
make regulations for the driving of motor vehicles.
119. Duty to obey traffic signs.—(1) Every driver of a motor vehicle shall drive the vehicle in
conformity with any indication given by mandatory traffic sign and in conformity with the driving
regulations made by the Central Government, and shall comply with all directions given to him by any
police officer for the time being engaged in the regulation of traffic in any public place.
(2) In this section “mandatory traffic sign” means a traffic sign included in Part A of the Schedule, or
any traffic sign of similar form (that is to say, consisting of or including a circular disc diplaying a device,
word or figure and having a red ground or border) placed or erected for the purpose of regulating motor
vehicle traffic under sub-section (1) of section 116.
120. Vehicles with left hand control.—No person shall drive or cause or allow to be driven in any
public place any motor vehicle with a left-hand steering control unless it is equipped with a mechanical or
electrical signalling device of a prescribed nature and in working order.
121. Signals and signalling devices.—The driver of a motor vehicle shall make such signals and on
such occasions as may be prescribed by the Central Government:
Provided that the signal of an intention to turn to the right or left or to stop—
(a) in the case of a motor vehicle with a right-hand steering control, may be given by a
mechanical or electrical device of a prescribed nature affixed to the vehicle; and
(b) in the case of a motor vehicle with a left-hand steering control, shall be given by a mechanical
or electrical device of a prescribed nature affixed to the vehicle:
Provided further that the State Government may, having regard to the width and condition of the
roads in any area or route, by notification in the Official Gazette, exempt subject to such conditions as
may be specified therein any motor vehicle or class or description of motor vehicles from the operation of
this section for the purpose of plying in that area or route.
122. Leaving vehicle in dangerous position.—No person in charge of a motor vehicle shall cause or
allow the vehicle or any trailer to be abandoned or to remain at rest on any public place in such a position
or in such a condition or in such circumstances as to cause or likely to cause danger, obstruction or undue
inconvenience to other users of the public place or to the passengers.
123. Riding on running board, etc.—(1) No person driving or in charge of a motor vehicle shall
carry any person or permit any person to be carried on the running board or otherwise than within the
body of the vehicle.
(2) No person shall travel on the running board or on the top or on the bonnet of a motor vehicle.
124. Prohibition against travelling without pass or ticket.—No person shall enter or remain in any
stage carriage for the purposes of travelling therein unless he has with him a proper pass or ticket:
Provided that where arrangements for the supply of tickets are made in the stage carriage by which a
person has to travel, a person may enter such stage carriage but as soon as may be after his entry therein,
be shall make the payment of his fare to the conductor or the driver who performs the functions of a
conductor and obtain from such conductor or driver, as the case may be, a ticket for his journey.
Explanation.—In this section,—
(a) “pass” means a duty, privilege or courtesy pass entitling the person to whom it is given to
travel in a stage carriage gratuitously and includes a pass issued on payment for travel in a stage
carriage for the period specified therein;
(b) “ticket” includes a single ticket, a return ticket or a season ticket.
125. Obstruction of driver.—No person driving a motor vehicle shall allow any person to stand or
sit or to place anything in such a manner or position as to hamper the driver in his control of the vehicle.
79
126. Stationary vehicles.—No person driving or in charge of a motor vehicle shall cause or allow the
vehicle to remain stationary in any public place, unless there is in the driver’s seat a person duly licensed
to drive the vehicle or unless the mechanism has been stopped and a brake or brakes applied or such other
measures taken as to ensure that the vehicle cannot accidentally be put in motion in the absence of the
driver.
127. Removal of motor vehicles abandoned or left unattended on a public place.—1[(1) Where
any motor vehicle is abandoned or left unattended on a public place for ten hours or more or is parked in a
place where parking is legally prohibited, its removal by a towing service or its immobilisations by any
means including wheel clamping may be authorised by a police officer in uniform having jurisdiction.]
(2) Where an abandoned, unattended, wrecked, burnt or partially dismantled vehicle is creating a
traffic hazard, because of its position in relation to the 2[public place], or its physical appearance is
causing the impediment to the traffic, its immediate removal from the 2[public place] by a towing service
may be authorised by a police officer having jurisdiction.
(3) Where a vehicle is authorised to be removed under sub-section (1) or sub-section (2) by a police
officer, the owner of the vehicle shall be responsible for all towing costs, besides any other penalty.
128. Safety measures for drivers and pillion riders.—(1) No driver of a two-wheeled motorcycle
shall carry more than one person in addition to himself on the motorcycle and no such person shall be
carried otherwise than sitting on a proper seat securely fixed to the motorcycle behind the driver’s seat
with appropriate safety measures.
(2) In addition to the safety measures mentioned in sub-section (1), the Central Government may,
prescribe other safety measures for the drivers of two-wheeled motorcycles and pillion riders thereon.
3[129. Wearing of protective headgear.— Every person, above four years of age, driving or riding
or being carried on a motorcycle of any class or description shall, while in a public place, wear protective
headgear conforming to such standards as may be prescribed by the Central Government:
Provided that the provisions of this section shall not apply to a person who is a Sikh, if, while driving
or riding on the motorcycle, in a public place, he is wearing a turban:
Provided further that the Central Government may by rules provide for measures for the safety of
children below four years of age riding or being carried on a motorcycle.
Explanation.— “Protective headgear” means a helmet which,—
(a) by virtue of its shape, material and construction, could reasonably be expected to afford to the
person driving or riding on a motorcycle a degree of protection from injury in the event of an
accident; and
(b) is securely fastened to the head of the wearer by means of straps or other fastenings provided
on the headgear.]
130. Duty to produce licence and certificate of registration.—(1) The driver of a motor vehicle in
any public place shall, on demand by any police officer in uniform, produce his licence for examination:
Provided that the driver may, if his licence has been submitted to, or has been seized by, any officer
or authority under this or any other Act, produce in lieu of the licence a receipt or other acknowledgment
issued by such officer or authority in respect thereof and thereafter produce the licence within such
period, in such manner as the Central Government may prescribe to the police officer making the
demand.
4[(2) The conductor, if any, of a motor vehicle on any public place shall on demand by any officer of
the Motor Vehicles Department authorised in this behalf, produce the licence for examination.]
1. Subs. by Act 54 of 1994, s. 37, for sub-section (1) (w.e.f. 14-11-1994).
2. Subs. by s. 37, ibid., for “highway” (w.e.f. 14-11-1994).
3. Subs. by Act 32 of 2019, s. 44, for s. 129 (w.e.f. 15-02-2022).
4. Subs. by Act 54 of 1994, s. 39, for sub-section (2) (w.e.f. 14-11-1994).
80
1[(3) The owner of a motor vehicle (other than a vehicle registered under section 60), or in his
absence the driver or other person in charge of the vehicle, shall, on demand by a registering authority or
any other officer of the Motor Vehicles Department duly authorised in this behalf, produce the certificate
of insurance of the vehicle and, where the vehicle is a transport vehicle, also the certificate of fitness
referred to in section 56 and the permit; and if any or all of the certificates or the permit are not in his
possession, he shall, within fifteen days from the date of demand, submit photo copies of the same, duly
attested in person or send the same by registered post to the officer who demanded it.
Explanation.—For the purposes of this sub-section, “certificate of insurance” means the certificate
issued under sub-section (3) of section 147.]
(4) If the licence referred to in sub-section (2) or the certificates or permit referred to in
sub-section (3), as the case may be, are not at the time in the possession of the person to whom demand is
made, it shall be a sufficient compliance with this section if such person produces the licence or
certificates or permit within such period in such manner as the Central Government may prescribe, to the
police officer or authority making the demand:
Provided that, except to such extent and with such modifications as may be prescribed, the provisions
of this sub-section shall not apply to any person required to produce the certificate of registration or the
certificate of fitness of a transport vehicle.
131. Duty of the driver to take certain precautions at unguarded railway level crossings.—Every
driver of a motor vehicle at the approach of any unguarded railway level crossing shall cause the vehicle
to stop and the driver of the vehicle shall cause the conductor or cleaner or attendant or any other person
in the vehicle to walk up to the level crossing and ensure that no train or trolley is approaching from
either side and then pilot the motor vehicle across such level crossing, and where no conductor or cleaner
or attendant or any other person is available in the vehicle, the driver of the vehicle shall get down from
the vehicle himself to ensure that no train or trolley is approaching from either side before the railway
track is crossed.
132. Duty of driver to stop in certain cases.—(1) The driver of a motor vehicle shall cause the
vehicle to stop and remain stationary so long as 2[may for such reasonable time as may be necessary, but
not exceeding twenty-four hours]—
3[(a) when required to do so by any police officer not below the rank of a Sub-Inspector in
uniform, in the event of the vehicle being involved in the occurrence of an accident to a person,
animal or vehicle or of damage to property, or]
(b) when required to do so by any person in charge of an animal if such person apprehends that
the animal is, or being alarmed by the vehicle will become, unmanageable, or
4* * * * *
and he shall give his name and address and the name and address of the owner of the vehicle to any
person affected by any such accident or damage who demands it provided such person also furnishes his
name and address.
(2) The driver of a motor vehicle shall, on demand by a person giving his own name and address and
alleging that the driver has committed an offence punishable under section 184 give his name and address
to that person.
(3) In this section the expression “animal” means any horse, cattle, elephant, camel, ass, mule, sheep
or goat.
133. Duty of owner of motor vehicle to give information.—The owner of a motor vehicle, the
driver or conductor of which is accused of any offence under this Act shall, on the demand of any police
officer authorised in this behalf by the State Government, give all information regarding the name and
address of, and the licence held by, the driver or conductor which is in his possession or could by
reasonable diligence be ascertained by him.
1. Subs. by Act 54 of 1994, s. 39, for sub-section (3) (w.e.f. 14-11-1994).
2. Subs. by s. 40, ibid., for “may reasonably be necessary” (w.e.f. 14-11-1994).
3. Subs. by s. 40, ibid., for clause (a) (w.e.f. 14-11-1994).
4. Cl. (c) omitted by s. 40, ibid. (w.e.f. 14-11-1994).
81
134. Duty of driver in case of accident and injury to a person.—When any person is injured or any
property of a third party is damaged, as a result of an accident in which a motor vehicle is involved, the
driver of the vehicle or other person in charge of the vehicle shall—
(a) unless it is not practicable to do so on account of mob fury or any other reason beyond his
control, take all reasonable steps to secure medical attention for the injured person, 1[by conveying
him to the nearest medical practitioner or hospital, and it shall be the duty of every registered medical
practitioner or the doctor on the duty in the hospital immediately to attend to the injured person and
render medical aid or treatment without waiting for any procedural formalities], unless the injured
person or his guardian, in case he is a minor, desires otherwise;
(b) give on demand by a police officer any information required by him, or, if no police officer is
present, report the circumstances of the occurrence, including the circumstances, if any, for not taking
reasonable steps to secure medical attention as required under clause (a), at the nearest police station
as soon as possible, and in any case within twenty-four hours of the occurrence.
2[(c) give the following information in writing to the insurer, who has issued the certificates of
insurance, about the occurrence of the accident, namely:—
(i) insurance policy number and period of its validity;
(ii) date, time and place of accident;
(iii) particulars of the persons injured or killed in the accident;
(iv) name of the driver and the particulars of his driving licence.
Explanation.—For the purposes of this section, the expression “driver” includes the owner of the
vehicle.]
3[134A. Protection of Good Samaritans.—(1) A Good Samaritan shall not be liable for any civil or
criminal action for any injury to or death of the victim of an accident involving a motor vehicle, where
such injury or death resulted from the Good Samaritan’s negligence in acting or failing to act while
rendering emergency medical or non-medical care or assistance.
(2) The Central Government may by rules provide for the procedure for questioning or examination
of the Good Samaritan, disclosure of personal information of the Good Samaritan and such other related
matters.
Explanation.—For the purposes of this section, “Good Samaritan” means a person, who in good
faith, voluntarily and without expectation of any reward or compensation renders emergency medical or
non-medical care or assistance at the scene of an accident to the victim or transports such victim to the
hospital.]
135. Schemes to be framed for the investigation of accident cases and wayside amenities, etc.—
(1) The State Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, make one or more schemes to
provide for—
(a) an in depth study on causes and analysis of motor vehicle accidents;
(b) wayside amenities on highways;
(c) traffic aid posts on highways; 4***
(d) truck parking complexes along 5[highways; and].
6[(e) any other amenities in the interests of the safety and the convenience of the public.]
1. Subs. by Act 54 of 1994, s. 41, for “and if necessary, convey him to the nearest hospital” (w.e.f. 14-11-1994).
2. Ins. by s. 41, ibid. (w.e.f. 14-11-1994).
3. Ins. by Act 32 of 2019, s. 45 (w.e.f. 1-10-2020).
4. The word “and” omitted by, s. 46, ibid., (w.e.f. 1-9-2019).
5. Subs. by s. 46, ibid., for “highways” (w.e.f. 1-9-2019).
6. Ins. by s. 46, ibid. (w.e.f. 1-9-2019).
82
(2) Every scheme made under this section by any State Government shall be laid, as soon as may be
after it is made, before the State Legislature.
1[(3) The Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, make one or more
schemes to conduct in-depth studies on the causes and analysis of road accidents.]
136. Inspection of vehicle involved in accident.—When any accident occurs in which a motor
vehicle is involved, any person authorised in this behalf by the State Government may, on production if
so required of his authority, inspect the vehicle and for that purpose may enter at any reasonable time any
premises where the vehicle may be, and may remove the vehicle for examination:
Provided that the place to which the vehicle is so removed shall be intimated to the owner of the
vehicle and the vehicle shall be returned 2[after completion of the formalities to the owner, driver or the
person in charge of the vehicle within twenty-four hours].
3[136A. Electronic monitoring and enforcement of road safety. —(1) The State Government shall
ensure electronic monitoring and enforcement of road safety in the manner provided under sub-section (2)
on national highways, state highways, roads or in any urban city within a State which has a population up
to such limits as may be prescribed by the Central Government.
(2) The Central Government shall make rules for the electronic monitoring and enforcement of road
safety including speed cameras, closed-circuit television cameras, speed guns, body wearable cameras
and such other technology.
Explanation.—For the purpose of this section the expression “body wearable camera” means a
mobile audio and video capture device worn on the body or uniform of a person authorised by the State
Government.]
137. Power of Central Government to make rules.—The Central Government may make rules to
provide for all or any of the following matters, namely:—
(a) the occasions on which signals shall be made by drivers of motor vehicles and such signals
under section 121;
4[(aa) providing for the standards of protective headgear and measures for the safety of children
below the age of four years riding under section 129;]
(b) the manner in which the licences and certificates may be produced to the police officer under
section 130.
4[(c) providing for limits of urban city by the State Governments under sub-section (1) of
section 136A; and
(d) providing for electronic monitoring and enforcement under sub-section (2) of section 136A.]
138. Power of State Government to make rules.—(1) The State Government may make rules for
the purpose of carrying into effect the provisions of this Chapter other than the matters specified in
section 137.
5[(1A) The State Government may, in the interest of road safety, make rules for the purposes of
regulating the activities and access of non-mechanically propelled vehicles and pedestrians to public
places and national highways:
Provided that in the case of national highways, such rules shall be framed in consultation with the
National Highways Authority of India.]
(2) Without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing power, such rules may provide for—
1. Ins. by Act 32 of 2019, s. 46 (w.e.f. 1-9-2019).
2. Subs. by Act 54 of 1994, s. 42, for “without unnecessary delay” (w.e.f. 14-11-1994).
3. Ins. by Act 32 of 2019, s. 47 (w.e.f. 15-7-2021).
4. Ins. by, s. 48, ibid. (w.e.f. 1-9-2019).
5. Ins. by s. 49, ibid. (w.e.f. 1-9-2019).
83
(a) the removal and the safe custody of vehicles including their loads which have broken down or
which have been left standing or have been abandoned on roads;
(b) the installation and use of weighing devices;
(c) the maintenance and management of wayside amenities complexes;
(d) the exemption from all or any of the provisions of this Chapter of fire brigade vehicles,
ambulances and other special classes or descriptions of vehicle, subject to such conditions as may be
prescribed;
(e) the maintenance and management of parking places and stands and the fees, if any, which may
be charged for their use;
(f) prohibiting the driving downhill of a motor vehicle with the gear disengaged either generally
or in a specified place;
(g) prohibiting the taking hold of or mounting of a motor vehicle in motion;
(h) prohibiting the use of foot-paths or pavements by motor vehicles;
(i) generally, the prevention of danger, injury or annoyance to the public or any person, or of
danger or injury to property or of abstruction to traffic; and
(j) any other matter which is to be, or may be, prescribed.
CHAPTER IX
MOTOR VEHICLES TEMPORARILY LEAVING OR VISITING INDIA
139. Power of Central Government to make rules.—(1) The Central Government may, by
notification in the Official Gazette, make rules for all or any of the following purposes, namely:—
(a) the grant and authentication of travelling passes, certificates or authorisations to persons
temporarily taking motor vehicles out of India to any place outside India or to persons temporarily
proceeding out of India to any place outside India and desiring to drive a motor vehicle during their
absence from India;
(b) prescribing the conditions subject to which motor vehicles brought temporarily into India
from outside India by persons intending to make a temporary stay in India may be possessed and used
in India; and
(c) prescribing the conditions subject to which persons entering India from any place outside
India for a temporary stay in India may drive motor vehicles in India.
(2) For the purpose of facilitating and regulating the services of motor vehicles operating between
India and any other country under any reciprocal arrangement and carrying passengers or goods or both
by road for hire or reward, the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, make
rules with respect to all or any of the following matters, namely:—
(a) the conditions subject to which motor vehicles carrying on such services may be brought into
India from outside India and possessed and used in India;
(b) the conditions subject to which motor vehicles may be taken from any place in India to any
place outside India;
(c) the conditions subject to which persons employed as drivers and conductors of such motor
vehicles may enter or leave India;
(d) the grant and authentication of travelling passes, certificates or authorisations to persons
employed as drivers and conductors of such motor vehicles;
(e) the particulars (other than registration marks) to be exhibited by such motor vehicles and the
manner in which such particulars are to be exhibited;
(f) the use of trailers with such motor vehicles;
84
(g) the exemption of such motor vehicles and their drivers and conductors from all or any of the
provisions of this Act [other than those referred to in sub-section (4)] or the rules made thereunder;
(h) the identification of the drivers and conductors of such motor vehicles;
(i) the replacement of the travelling passes, certificates or authorisations, permits, licences or any
other prescribed documents lost or defaced, on payment of such fee as may be prescribed;
(j) the exemption from the provisions of such laws as relate to customs, police or health with a
view to facilitate such road transport services;
(k) any other matter which is to be, or may be, prescribed.
(3) No rule made under this section shall operate to confer on any person any immunity in any State
from the payment of any tax levied in that State on motor vehicles or their users.
(4) Nothing in this Act or in any rule made thereunder by a State Government relating to:—
(a) the registration and identification of motor vehicles, or
(b) the requirements as to construction, maintenance and equipment of motor vehicles, or
(c) the licensing and the qualifications of drivers and conductors of motor vehicles,
shall apply—
(i) to any motor vehicle to which or to any driver of a motor vehicle to whom any rules made
under clause (b) or clause (c) of sub-section (1) or under sub-section (2) apply; or
(ii) to any conductor of a motor vehicle to whom any rules made under sub-section (2) apply.
[CHAPTER X—LIABILITY WITHOUT FAULT IN CERTAIN CASES] Omitted by the Motor Vehicles (Amendment)
Act, 2019 (32 of 2019) s. 50 (w.e.f. 1-4-2022).
140. [Liability to pay compensation in certain cases on the principle of no fault.] Omitted by s. 50,
ibid. (w.e.f. 1-4-2022).
141. [Provisions as to other right to claim compensation for death or permanent disablement.]
Omitted by s. 50, ibid. (w.e.f. 1-4-2022).
142. [Permanent disablement.] Omitted by s. 50, ibid. (w.e.f. 1-4-2022).
143. [Applicability of Chapter to certain claims under Act 8 of 1923.] Omitted by s. 50, ibid.
(w.e.f. 1-4-2022).
144. [Overriding effect.] Omitted by s. 50, ibid. (w.e.f. 1-4-2022).
1[CHAPTER XI
INSURANCE OF MOTOR VEHICLES AGAINST THIRD PARTY RISKS
145. Definitions. — In this Chapter,—
(a) “authorised insurer” means an insurer for the time being carrying on general insurance
business in India and granted a certificate of registration by the Insurance Regulatory and
Development Authority of India established under section 3 of the Insurance Regulatory and
Development Authority Act, 1999 (41 of 1999) and any Government insurance fund authorised to do
general insurance business under the General Insurance Business (Nationalisation) Act, 1972 (57 of
1972);
(b) “certificate of insurance” means a certificate issued by an authorised insurer in pursuance of
section 147 and includes a cover note complying with such requirements as may be prescribed, and
where more than one certificate has been issued in connection with a policy, or where a copy of a
certificate has been issued, all those certificates or that copy, as the case may be;
1. Subs. by Act 32 of 2019, s. 51, for ‘CHAPTER XI’ (w.e.f. 1-4-2022).
85
(c) “grievous hurt” shall have the same meaning as assigned to it in section 320 of
the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860);
(d) “hit and run motor accident” means an accident arising out of the use of a motor vehicle or
motor vehicles the identity whereof cannot be ascertained in spite of reasonable efforts for the
purpose;
(e) “Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority” means the Insurance Regulatory and
Development Authority established under section 3 of the Insurance Regulatory and Development
Authority Act, 1999 (41 of 1999);
(f) “policy of insurance” includes certificate of insurance;
(g) “property” includes roads, bridges, culverts, causeways, trees, posts, milestones and baggage
of passengers and goods carried in any motor vehicle;
(h) “reciprocating country” means any such country as may on the basis of reciprocity be notified
by the Central Government in the Official Gazette to be a reciprocating country for the purposes of
this Act;
(i) “third party” includes the Government, the driver and any other co-worker on a transport
vehicle.
146. Necessity for insurance against third party risks. —(1) No person shall use, except as a
passenger, or cause or allow any other person to use, a motor vehicle in a public place, unless there is in
force, in relation to the use of the vehicle by that person or that other person, as the case may be, a policy
of insurance complying with the requirements of this Chapter:
Provided that in the case of a vehicle carrying, or meant to carry, dangerous or hazardous goods, there
shall also be a policy of insurance under the Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991 (6 of 1991).
Explanation.—For the purposes of this sub-section, a person driving a motor vehicle merely as a paid
employee, while there is in relation to the use of the vehicle no such policy in force as is required by this
sub-section, shall not be deemed to act in contravention of the sub-section unless he knows or has reason
to believe that there is no such policy in force.
(2) The provisions of sub-section (1) shall not apply to any vehicle owned by the Central Government
or a State Government and used for purposes not connected with any commercial enterprise.
(3) The appropriate Government may, by order, exempt from the operation of sub-section (1), any
vehicle owned by any of the following authorities, namely:—
(a) the Central Government or a State Government, if the vehicle is used for purposes connected
with any commercial enterprise;
(b) any local authority;
(c) any State Transport Undertaking:
Provided that no such order shall be made in relation to any such authority unless a fund has been
established and is maintained by that authority in such manner as may be prescribed by appropriate
Government.
Explanation.—For the purposes of this sub-section, “appropriate Government” means the Central
Government or a State Government, as the case may be, and—
(i) in relation to any corporation or company owned by the Central Government or any State
Government, means the Central Government or that State Government;
(ii) in relation to any corporation or company owned by the Central Government and one or
more State Governments, means the Central Government;
86
(iii) in relation to any other State Transport Undertaking or any local authority, means that
Government which has control over that undertaking or authority.
147. Requirement of policies and limits of liability.—(1) In order to comply with the requirements
of this Chapter, a policy of insurance must be a policy which—
(a) is issued by a person who is an authorised insurer; and
(b) insures the person or classes of persons specified in the policy to the extent specified in
sub-section (2)—
(i) against any liability which may be incurred by him in respect of the death of or bodily injury
to any person including owner of the goods or his authorised representative carried in the motor
vehicle or damage to any property of a third party caused by or arising out of the use of the motor
vehicle in a public place;
(ii) against the death of or bodily injury to any passenger of a transport vehicle, except
gratuitous passengers of a goods vehicle, caused by or arising out of the use of the motor vehicle in
a public place.
Explanation.—For the removal of doubts, it is hereby clarified that the death of or bodily injury
to any person or damage to any property of a third party shall be deemed to have been caused by or to
have arisen out of, the use of a vehicle in a public place, notwithstanding that the person who is dead
or injured or the property which is damaged was not in a public place at the time of the accident, if
the act or omission which led to the accident occurred in a public place.
(2) Notwithstanding anything contained under any other law for the time being in force, for the
purposes of third party insurance related to either death of a person or grievous hurt to a person, the
Central Government shall prescribe a base premium and the liability of an insurer in relation to such
premium for an insurance policy under sub-section (1) in consultation with the Insurance Regulatory
and Development Authority.
(3) A policy shall be of no effect for the purposes of this Chapter unless and until there is issued
by the insurer in favour of the person by whom the policy is effected, a certificate of insurance in the
prescribed form and containing the prescribed particulars of any condition subject to which the policy
is issued and of any other prescribed matters; and different forms, particulars and matters may be
prescribed in different cases.
(4) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, a policy of Insurance issued before the
commencement of the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019 shall be continued on the existing
terms under the contract and the provisions of this Act shall apply as if this Act had not been
amended by the said Act.
(5) Where a cover note issued by the insurer under the provisions of this Chapter or the rules or
regulations made thereunder is not followed by a policy of insurance within the specified time, the
insurer shall, within seven days of the expiry of the period of the validity of the cover note, notify the
fact to the registering authority or to such other authority as the State Government may prescribe.
(6) Notwithstanding anything contained in any other law for the time being in force, an insurer
issuing a policy of insurance under this section shall be liable to indemnify the person or classes of
persons specified in the policy in respect of any liability which the policy purports to cover in the case
of that person or those classes of persons.
148. Validity of policies of insurance issued in reciprocating countries.—Where, in pursuance of
an arrangement between India and any reciprocating country, the motor vehicle registered in the
reciprocating country operates on any route or within any area common to the two countries and there is
in force in relation to the use of the vehicle in the reciprocating country, a policy of insurance complying
with the requirements of the law of insurance for the time being in force in that country, then,
notwithstanding anything contained in section 147 but subject to any rules which may be made under
section 164B such policy of insurance shall be effective throughout the route or area in respect of which
the arrangement has been made, as if the policy of insurance had complied with the requirements of this
Chapter.
87
149. Settlement by insurance company and procedure therefor.—(1) The insurance company
shall, upon receiving information of the accident, either from claimant or through accident information
report or otherwise, designate an officer to settle the claims relating to such accident.
(2) An officer designated by the insurance company for processing the settlement of claim of
compensation may make an offer to the claimant for settlement before the Claims Tribunal giving such
details, within thirty days and after following such procedure as may be prescribed by the Central
Government.
(3) If, the claimant to whom the offer is made under sub-section (2),—
(a) accepts such offer,—
(i) the Claims Tribunal shall make a record of such settlement, and such claim shall be
deemed to be settled by consent; and
(ii) the payment shall be made by the insurance company within a maximum period of thirty
days from the date of receipt of such record of settlement;
(b) rejects such offer, a date of hearing shall be fixed by the Claims Tribunal to adjudicate such
claim on merits.
150. Duty of insurers to satisfy judgments and awards against persons insured in respect of
third party risks.—(1) If, after a certificate of insurance has been issued under sub-section (3) of
section 147 in favour of the person by whom a policy has been effected, judgment or award in respect of
any such liability as is required to be covered by a policy under clause (b) of sub-section (1) of
section 147 (being a liability covered by the terms of the policy) or under the provisions of section 164 is
obtained against any person insured by the policy, then, notwithstanding that the insurer may be entitled
to avoid or cancel or may have avoided or cancelled the policy, the insurer shall, subject to the provisions
of this section, pay to the person entitled to the benefit of the award any sum not exceeding the sum
assured payable thereunder, as if that person were the decree holder, in respect of the liability, together
with any amount payable in respect of costs and any sum payable in respect of interest on that sum by
virtue of any enactment relating to interest on judgments.
(2) No sum shall be payable by an insurer under sub-section (1) in respect of any judgment or award
unless, before the commencement of the proceedings in which the judgment or award is given the insurer
had notice through the court or, as the case may be, the Claims Tribunal of the bringing of the
proceedings, or in respect of such judgment or award so long as its execution is stayed pending an appeal;
and an insurer to whom notice of the bringing of any such proceedings is so given shall be entitled to be
made a party thereto, and to defend the action on any of the following grounds, namely:—
(a) that there has been a breach of a specified condition of the policy, being one of the following
conditions, namely:––
(i) a condition excluding the use of the vehicle—
(A) for hire or reward, where the vehicle is on the date of the contract of insurance a vehicle
not covered by a permit to ply for hire or reward; or
(B) for organised racing and speed testing; or
(C) for a purpose not allowed by the permit under which the vehicle is used, where the
vehicle is a transport vehicle; or
(D) without side-car being attached where the vehicle is a two-wheeled vehicle; or
(ii) a condition excluding driving by a named person or by any person who is not duly licenced or
by any person who has been disqualified for holding or obtaining a driving licence during the period
of disqualification or driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs as laid down in section 185; or
(iii) a condition excluding liability for injury caused or contributed to by conditions of war, civil
war, riot or civil commotion; or
(b) that the policy is void on the ground that it was obtained by nondisclosure of any material fact or
by representation of any fact which was false in some material particular; or
(c) that there is non-receipt of premium as required under section 64VB of the Insurance
Act, 1938 (4 of 1938).
(3) Where any such judgment or award as is referred to in sub-section (1) is obtained from a court in a
reciprocating country and in the case of a foreign judgment is, by virtue of the provisions of section 13 of
the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (5 of 1908) conclusive as to any matter adjudicated upon by it, the
insurer (being an insurer registered under the Insurance Act, 1938 (4 of 1938) and whether or not that
88
person is registered under the corresponding law of the reciprocating country) shall be liable to the person
entitled to the benefit of the decree in the manner and to the extent specified in sub-section (1), as if the
judgment or award were given by a court in India:
Provided that no sum shall be payable by the insurer in respect of any such judgment or award unless,
before the commencement of the proceedings in which the judgment or award is given, the insurer had
notice through the court concerned of the bringing of the proceedings and the insurer to whom notice is so
given is entitled under the corresponding law of the reciprocating country, to be made a party to the
proceedings and to defend the action on grounds similar to those specified in sub-section (2).
(4) Where a certificate of insurance has been issued under sub-section (3) of section 147 to the person
by whom a policy has been effected, so much of the policy as purports to restrict the insurance of the
persons insured thereby, by reference to any condition other than those in sub-section (2) shall, as
respects such liabilities as are required to be covered by a policy under clause (b) of sub-section (1) of
section 147, be of no effect.
(5) No insurer to whom the notice referred to in sub-section (2) or sub-section (3) has been given
shall be entitled to avoid his liability to any person entitled to the benefit of any such judgment or award
as is referred to in sub-section (1) or in such judgment as is referred to in sub-section (3) otherwise than in
the manner provided for in sub-section (2) or in the corresponding law of the reciprocating country, as the
case may be.
(6) If on the date of filing of any claim, the claimant is not aware of the insurance company with
which the vehicle had been insured, it shall be the duty of the owner of the vehicle to furnish to the
tribunal or court the information as to whether the vehicle had been insured on the date of the accident,
and if so, the name of the insurance company with which it is insured.
Explanation.—For the purposes of this section,—
(a) “award” means an award made by the Claims Tribunal under section 168;
(b) “Claims Tribunal” means a Claims Tribunal constituted under section 165;
(c) “liability covered by the terms of the policy” means the liability which is covered by the
policy or which would be so covered but for the fact that the insurer is entitled to avoid or cancel or
has avoided or cancelled the policy; and
(d) “material fact” and “material particular” mean, respectively, a fact or particular of such a
nature as to influence the judgment of a prudent insurer in determining whether he shall take the risk
and, if so, at what premium and on what conditions.
151. Rights of third party against insurers on insolvency of insured.—(1) Where under any
contract of insurance affected in accordance with the provisions of this Chapter, a person is insured
against liabilities which he may incur to third party, then—
(a) in the event of the person becoming insolvent or making a composition or arrangement with
his creditors; or
(b) where the insured person is a company, in the event of a winding-up order being made or a
resolution for a voluntary winding-up being passed with respect to the company or of a receiver or
manager of the company’s business or undertaking being duly appointed, or of possession being taken
by or on behalf of the holders of any debentures secured by a floating charge of any property
comprised in or subject to the charge,
if, either before or after that event, any such liability is incurred by the insured person his rights against
the insurer under the contract in respect of the liability shall, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in
any provision of law, be transferred to and vest in the third party to whom the liability was so incurred.
(2) Where an order for the administration of the estate of a deceased debtor is made according to the
law of insolvency, then, if any debt provable in insolvency is owing by the deceased in respect of a
liability to a third party against which he was insured under a contract of insurance in accordance with the
provisions of this Chapter, the deceased debtor’s rights against the insurer in respect of that liability shall,
notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any provision of law, be transferred to and vest in the person
to whom the debt is owing.
(3) Any condition in a policy issued for the purposes of this Chapter purporting, either directly or
indirectly, to avoid the policy or to alter the rights of the parties thereunder upon the happening to the
insured person of any of the events specified in clause (a) or clause (b) of sub-section (1) or upon the
making of an order for the administration of the estate of a deceased debtor according to the law of
insolvency, shall be of no effect.
89
(4) Upon a transfer under sub-section (1) or sub-section (2), the insurer shall be under the same
liability to the third party as he would have been to the insured person, but—
(a) if the liability of the insurer to the insured person exceeds the liability of the insured person to
the third party, nothing in this Chapter shall affect the rights of the insured person against the insurer
in respect of the excess amount; and
(b) if the liability of the insurer to the insured person is less than the liability of the insured person
to the third party, nothing in this Chapter shall affect the rights of the third party against the insured
person in respect of the balance amount.
152. Duty to give information as to insurance. —(1) No person against whom a claim is made in
respect of any liability referred to in clause (b) of sub-section (1) of section 147 shall, on demand by or on
behalf of the person making the claim, refuse to state whether or not he was insured in respect of that
liability by any policy issued under the provisions of this Chapter, or would have been so insured if the
insurer had not avoided or cancelled the policy, nor shall he refuse, if he was or would have been so
insured, to give such particulars with respect to that policy as were specified in the certificate of insurance
issued in respect thereof.
(2) In the event of any person becoming insolvent or making an arrangement with his creditors or in
the event of an order being made for the administration of the estate of a deceased person according to the
law of insolvency, or in the event of a winding-up order being made or a resolution for a voluntary
winding-up being passed with respect to any company or of a receiver or manager of the company’s
business or undertaking being duly appointed or of possession being taken by or on behalf of the holders
of any debentures secured by a floating charge on any property comprised in or subject to the charge, it
shall be the duty of the insolvent debtor, personal representative of the deceased debtor or company, as
the case may be, or the official assignee or receiver in insolvency, trustee, liquidator, receiver or manager,
or person in possession of the property to give, on the request of any person claiming that the insolvent
debtor, deceased debtor or company is under such liability to him as is covered by the provision of this
Chapter, such information as may reasonably be required by him for the purpose of ascertaining whether
any rights have been transferred to and vested in him by section 151 and for the purpose of enforcing such
rights, if any and any such contract of insurance as purports whether directly or indirectly to avoid the
contract or to alter the rights of the parties thereunder upon the giving of such information in the events
aforesaid, or otherwise to prohibit or prevent the giving thereof in the said events, shall be of no effect.
(3) If, from the information given to any person in pursuance of sub-section (2) or otherwise, he has
reasonable ground for supporting that there have or may have been transferred to him under this Chapter
rights against any particular insurer, that insurer shall be subject to the same duty as is imposed by the
said sub-section on the persons therein mentioned.
(4) The duty to give the information imposed by this section shall include a duty to allow all contracts
of insurance, receipts for premiums, and other relevant documents in the possession or power of the
person on whom the duty is so imposed to be inspected and copies thereof to be taken.
153. Settlement between insurers and insured persons. — (1) No settlement made by an insurer in
respect of any claim which might be made by a third party in respect of any liability of the nature referred
to in clause (b) of sub-section (1) of section 147 shall be valid unless such third party is a party to the
settlement.
(2) The Claims Tribunal shall ensure that the settlement is bona fide and was not made under undue
influence and the compensation is made in accordance with the payment schedule referred to in
sub-section (1) of section 164.
(3) Where a person who is insured under a policy issued for the purpose of this Chapter has become
insolvent, or where, if such insured person is a company, a winding-up order has been made or a
resolution for a voluntary winding-up has been passed with respect to the company, no agreement made
between the insurer and the insured person after the liability has been incurred to a third party and after
the commencement of the insolvency or winding-up, as the case may be, nor any waiver, assignment or
other disposition made by or payment made to the insured person after the commencement aforesaid,
90
shall be effective to defeat the rights transferred to the third party under this Chapter but those rights shall
be the same as if no such agreement, waiver, assignment or disposition or payment has been made.
154. Saving in respect of sections 151, 152 and 153.— (1) For the purposes of sections 151, 152 and
153, a reference to “liabilities to third parties” in relation to a person insured under any policy of
insurance shall not include a reference to any liability of that person in the capacity of insurer under some
other policy of insurance.
(2) The provisions of sections 151, 152 and 153 shall not apply where a company is wound-up
voluntarily merely for the purposes of reconstruction or of an amalgamation with another company.
155. Effect of death on certain causes of action.—Notwithstanding anything contained in section
306 of the Indian Succession Act, 1925, (39 of 1925) the death of a person in whose favour a certificate
of insurance had been issued, if it occurs after the happening of an event which has given rise to a claim
under the provisions of this Chapter, shall not be a bar to the survival of any cause of action arising out of
such event against his estate or against the insurer.
156. Effect of certificate of insurance.—When an insurer has issued a certificate of insurance in
respect of a contract of insurance between the insurer and the insured person, then—
(a) if and so long as the policy described in the certificate has not been issued by the insurer to
the insured, the insurer shall, as between himself and any other person except the insured, be deemed
to have issued to the insured person a policy of insurance conforming in all respects with the
description and particulars stated in such certificate; and
(b) if the insurer has issued to the insured the policy described in the certificate, but the actual
terms of the policy are less favourable to persons claiming under or by virtue of the policy against the
insurer either directly or through the insured than the particulars of the policy as stated in the
certificate, the policy shall, as between the insurer and any other person except the insured, be
deemed to be in terms conforming in all respects with the particulars stated in the said certificate.
157. Transfer of certificate of insurance.—(1) Where a person, in whose favour the certificate of
insurance has been issued in accordance with the provisions of this Chapter, transfers to another person
the ownership of the motor vehicle in respect of which such insurance was taken together with the policy
of insurance relating thereto, the certificate of insurance and the policy described in the certificate shall be
deemed to have been transferred in favour of the person to whom the motor vehicle is transferred with
effect from the date of its transfer.
Explanation.—For the removal of doubts, it is hereby clarified that such deemed transfer shall include
transfer of rights and liabilities of the said certificate of insurance and policy of insurance.
(2) The transferee shall apply within fourteen days from the date of transfer in the prescribed form to
the insurer for making necessary changes in regard to the fact of transfer in the certificate of insurance
and the policy described in the certificate in his favour and the insurer shall make the necessary changes
in the certificate and the policy of insurance in regard to the transfer of insurance.
158. Production of certain certificates, licence and permit in certain cases.—(1) Any person
driving a motor vehicle in any public place shall, on being so required by a police officer in uniform
authorised in this behalf by the State Government, produce—
(a) the certificate of insurance;
(b) the certificate of registration;
(c) the pollution under control certificate;
(d) the driving licence;
(e) in the case of a transport vehicle, also the certificate of fitness referred to in section 56, and
the permit; and
(f) any certificate or authorisation of exemption that has been granted under this Act,
relating to the use of the vehicle.
91
(2) Where, owing to the presence of a motor vehicle in a public place, an accident occurs involving
death or bodily injury to another person, if the driver of the vehicle does not at that time produce the
required certificate, driving licence and permit referred to in sub-section (1) to a police officer, he or the
owner shall produce the said certificates, licence and permit at the police station at which the driver
makes the report required by section 134.
(3) No person shall be liable to conviction for offences under sub-section (1) or sub-section (2) by
reason of the failure to produce the required certificate if, within seven days from the date on which its
production was required under sub-section (1), or as the case may be, from the date of occurrence of the
accident, he produces the certificate at such police station as may have been specified by him to the police
officer who required its production or, as the case may be, to the police officer at the site of the accident
or to the officer-in-charge of the police station at which he reported the accident:
Provided that except to such extent and with such modifications as may be prescribed, the provisions
of this sub-section shall not apply to the driver of a transport vehicle.
(4) The owner of a motor vehicle shall give such information as he may be required by or on behalf of
a police officer empowered in this behalf by the State Government for the purpose of determining
whether the vehicle was or was not being driven in contravention of section 146 and on any occasion
when the driver was required under this section to produce the certificate of insurance.
(5) In this section, the expression “produce the certificate of insurance” means production for
examination the relevant certificate of insurance or such other evidence as may be prescribed to prove
that the vehicle was not being driven in contravention of section 146.
159. Information to be given regarding accident.—The police officer shall, during the
investigation, prepare an accident information report to facilitate the settlement of claim in such form and
manner, within three months and containing such particulars and submit the same to the Claims Tribunal
and such other agency as may be prescribed.
160. Duty to furnish particulars of vehicle involved in accident.—A registering authority or the
officer-in-charge of a police station shall, if so required by a person who alleges that he is entitled to
claim compensation in respect of an accident arising out of the use of a motor vehicle, or if so required by
an insurer against whom a claim has been made in respect of any motor vehicle, furnish to that person or
to that insurer, as the case may be, on payment of the prescribed fee, any information at the disposal of
the said authority or the said police officer relating to the identification marks and other particulars of the
vehicle and the name and address of the person who was using the vehicle at the time of the accident or
was injured by it and the property, if any, damaged in such form and within such time as the Central
Government may prescribe.
161. Special provisions as to compensation in case of hit and run motor accident.—(1)
Notwithstanding anything contained in any other law for the time being in force or any instrument having
the force of law, the Central Government shall provide for paying in accordance with the provisions of
this Act and the scheme made under sub-section (3), compensation in respect of the death of, or grievous
hurt to, persons resulting from hit and run motor accidents.
(2) Subject to the provisions of this Act and the scheme made under sub-section (3), there shall be
paid as compensation,—
(a) in respect of the death of any person resulting from a hit and run motor accident, a fixed sum
of two lakh rupees or such higher amount as may be prescribed by the Central Government;
(b) in respect of grievous hurt to any person resulting from a hit and run motor accident, a fixed
sum of fifty thousand rupees or such higher amount as may be prescribed by the Central Government.
(3) The Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, make a scheme specifying
the manner in which the scheme shall be administered by the Central Government or General Insurance
Council, the form, manner and the time within which applications for compensation may be made, the
officers or authorities to whom such applications may be made, the procedure to be followed by such
officers or authorities for considering and passing orders on such applications, and all other matters
92
connected with, or incidental to, the administration of the scheme and the payment of compensation under
this section.
(4) A scheme made under sub-section (3) may provide that,—
(a) a payment of such sum as may be prescribed by the Central Government as interim relief to
any claimant under such scheme;
(b) a contravention of any provision thereof shall be punishable with imprisonment which may
extend to two years, or with fine which shall not be less than twenty-five thousand rupees but may
extend to five lakh rupees or with both;
(c) the powers, functions or duties conferred or imposed on any officer or authority by such
scheme may be delegated with the prior approval in writing of Central Government, by such officer
or authority to any other officer or authority.
162. Scheme for golden hour.—(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in the General Insurance
Companies (Nationalisation) Act, 1972 (57 of 1972) or any other law for the time being in force or any
instrument having the force of law, the insurance companies for the time being carrying on general
insurance business in India shall provide in accordance with the provisions of this Act and the schemes
made under this Act for treatment of road accident victims, including during the golden hour.
(2) The Central Government shall make a scheme for the cashless treatment of victims of the accident
during the golden hour and such scheme may contain provisions for creation of a fund for such treatment.
163. Refund in certain cases of compensation paid under section 161.—(1) The payment of
compensation in respect of the death of, or grievous hurt to, any person under section 161 shall be subject
to the condition that if any compensation (hereafter in this sub-section referred to as the other
compensation) or other amount in lieu of or by way of satisfaction of a claim for compensation is
awarded or paid in respect of such death or grievous hurt under any other provision of this Act or any
other law for the time being in force or otherwise, so much of the other compensation or other amount
aforesaid as is equal to the compensation paid under section 161, shall be refunded to the insurer.
(2) Before awarding compensation in respect of an accident involving the death of, or bodily injury
to, any person arising out of the use of a motor vehicle under any provision of this Act other than
section 161 or any other law for the time being in force, the Claims Tribunal, court or other authority
awarding such compensation shall verify as to whether in respect of such death or bodily injury
compensation has already been paid under section 161 or an application for payment of compensation is
pending under that section, and such Tribunal, court or other authority shall—
(a) if compensation has already been paid under section 161, direct the person liable to pay the
compensation awarded by it to refund to the insurer, so much thereof as is required to be refunded in
accordance with the provisions of sub-section (1);
(b) if an application for payment of compensation is pending under section 161 forward the
particulars as to the compensation awarded by it to the insurer.
Explanation.—For the purpose of this sub-section, an application for compensation under section 161
shall be deemed to be pending—
(i) if such application has been rejected, till the date of the rejection of the application; and
(ii) in any other case, till the date of payment of compensation in pursuance of the
application.
164. Payment of compensation in case of death or grevious hurt, etc.—(1) Notwithstanding
anything contained in this Act or in any other law for the time being in force or instrument having the
force of law, the owner of the motor vehicle or the authorised insurer shall be liable to pay in the case of
death or grievous hurt due to any accident arising out of the use of motor vehicle, a compensation, of a
sum of five lakh rupees in case of death or of two and a half lakh rupees in case of grievous hurt to the
legal heirs or the victim, as the case may be.
93
(2) In any claim for compensation under sub-section (1), the claimant shall not be required to plead or
establish that the death or grievous hurt in respect of which the claim has been made was due to any
wrongful act or neglect or default of the owner of the vehicle or of the vehicle concerned or of any other
person.
(3) Where, in respect of death or grievous hurt due to an accident arising out of the use of motor
vehicle, compensation has been paid under any other law for the time being in force, such amount of
compensation shall be reduced from the amount of compensation payable under this section.
164A. Scheme for interim relief for claimants.—(1) The Central Government, may make schemes
for the provision of interim relief to claimants praying for compensation under this Chapter.
(2) A scheme made under sub-section (1) shall also provide for procedure to recover funds disbursed
under such scheme from the owner of the motor vehicle, where the claim arises out of the use of such
motor vehicle or other sources as may be prescribed by the Central Government.
164B. Motor Vehicle Accident Fund.—(1) The Central Government shall constitute a Fund to be
called the Motor Vehicle Accident Fund and thereto shall be credited—
(a) payment of a nature notified and approved by the Central Government;
(b) any grant or loan made to the Fund by the Central Government;
(c) the balance of the Fund created under scheme framed under section 163, as it stood immediately
before the commencement of the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019; and
(d) any other source of income as may be prescribed by the Central Government.
(2) The Fund shall be constituted for the purpose of providing compulsory insurance cover to all road
users in the territory of India.
(3) The Fund shall be utilised for the following, namely:—
(a) treatment of the persons injured in road accidents in accordance with the scheme framed by the
Central Government under section 162;
(b) compensation to representatives of a person who died in hit and run motor accident in
accordance with schemes framed under section 161;
(c) compensation to a person grievously hurt in a hit and run motor accident in accordance with
schemes framed under section 161; and
(d) compensation to such persons as may be prescribed by the Central Government.
(4) The maximum liability amount that shall be paid in each case shall be such as may be prescribed by
the Central Government.
(5) In all cases specified in clause (a) of sub-section (3), when the claim of such person becomes
payable, where amount has been paid out of this Fund to any person, the same amount shall be deductible
from the claim received by such person from the insurance company.
(6) The Fund shall be managed by such authority or agency as the Central Government may specify
having regard to the following:—
(a) knowledge of insurance business of the agency;
(b) capability of the agency to manage funds; and
(c) any other criteria as may be prescribed by the Central Government.
94
(7) The Central Government shall maintain proper accounts and other relevant records and prepare an
annual statement of accounts of the Fund in such form as may be prescribed by the Central Government
in consultation with the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India.
(8) The accounts of the Fund shall be audited by the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India at such
intervals as may be specified by him.
(9) The Comptroller and Auditor-General of India or any person appointed by him in connection with
the audit of the accounts of the Fund under this Act shall have the same rights, privileges and authority in
connection with such audit of the Government accounts and, in particular, shall have the right to demand
the production of books, accounts, connected vouchers and other documents and papers and to inspect
any of the offices of the Authority.
(10) The accounts of the Fund, as certified by the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India or any
other person appointed by him in this behalf, together with the audit report thereon, shall be forwarded
annually to the Central Government and the Central Government shall cause the same to be laid before
each House of the Parliament.
(11) Any scheme framed under sub-section (3) of section 161, as it stood immediately before the
commencement of the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019, shall be discontinued and all rights and
liabilities accruing thereunder shall be met out of the Fund with effect from the date of commencement of
this Act.
164C. Power of Central Government to make rules.—(1) The Central Government may make
rules for the purposes of carrying into effect, the provisions of this Chapter.
(2) Without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing power, such rules may provide for—
(a) the forms to be used for the purposes of this Chapter including,—
(i) the form of the insurance policy and the particulars it shall contain as referred to in
sub-section (3) of section 147;
(ii) the form for making changes in regard to the fact of transfer in the certificate of insurance
under sub-section (2) of section 157;
(iii) the form in which the accident information report may be prepared, the particulars it shall
contain, the manner and the time for submitting the report to the Claims Tribunal and the other
agency under section 159;
(iv) the form for furnishing information under section 160; and
(v) the form of the annual statement of accounts for the Motor Vehicle Accident Fund under
sub-section (7) of section 164B;
(b) the making of applications for and the issue of certificates of insurance;
(c) the issue of duplicates to replace certificates of insurance lost, destroyed or mutilated;
(d) the custody, production, cancellation and surrender of certificates of insurance;
95
(e) the records to be maintained by insurers of policies of insurance issued under this
Chapter;
(f) the identification by certificates or otherwise of persons or vehicles exempted from the
provisions of this Chapter;
(g) the furnishing of information respecting policies of insurance by insurers;
(h) adopting the provisions of this Chapter to vehicles brought into India by persons making
only a temporary stay therein or to vehicles registered in a reciprocating country and operating
on any route or within any area in India by applying those provisions with prescribed
modifications;
(i) the requirements which a certificate of insurance is required to comply with as referred to
in clause (b) of section 145;
(j) administration of the Fund established under sub-section (3) of section 146;
(k) the minimum premium and the maximum liability of an insurer under sub-section (2) of
section 147;
(l) the conditions subject to which an insurance policy shall be issued and other matters
related thereto as referred to in sub-section (3) of section 147;
(m) the details of settlement, the time limit for such settlement and the procedure thereof
under sub-section (2) of section 149;
(n) the extent of exemptions and the modifications under the proviso to sub-section (3) of
section 158;
(o) the other evidence under sub-section (5) of section 158;
(p) such other agency to which the accident information report as referred to in section 159
may be submitted;
(q) the time limit and fee for furnishing information under section 160;
(r) the higher amount of compensation in respect of death under clause (a) of sub-section (2)
of section 161;
(s) a sum to be paid as interim relief as referred to in clause (a) of sub-section (4) of
section 161;
(t) the procedure for payment of compensation under sub-section (1) of section 164;
(u) such other sources from which funds may be recovered for the scheme as referred to in
sub-section (2) of section 164A;
(v) any other source of income that may be credited into the Motor Vehicle Accident Fund
under sub-section (1) of section 164B;
(w) the persons to whom compensation may be paid under clause (d) of sub-section (3) of
section 164B;
(x) the maximum liability amount under sub-section (4) of section 164B;
(y) the other criteria under clause (c) of sub-section (6) of section 164B;
96
(z) any other matter which is to be, or may be, prescribed or in respect of which provision is
to be made by rules.
164D. Power of State Government to make rules.—(1) The State Government may make rules for
the purposes of carrying into effect, the provisions of this Chapter other than the matters specified in
section 164C.
(2) Without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing power, such rules may provide for—
(a) the other authority under sub-section (5) of section 147; and
(b) any other matter which is to be, or may be, prescribed, or in respect of which provision is to
be made by rules.]
CHAPTER XII
CLAIMS TRIBUNALS
165. Claims Tribunals.—(1) A State Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette,
constitute one or more Motor Accidents Claims Tribunals (hereafter in this Chapter referred to as Claims
Tribunal) for such area as may be specified in the notification for the purpose of adjudicating upon claims
for compensation in respect of accidents involving the death of, or bodily injury to, persons arising out of
the use of motor vehicles, or damages to any property of a third party so arising, or both.
Explanation.—For the removal of doubts, it is hereby declared that the expression “claims for
compensation in respect of accidents involving the death of or bodily injury to persons arising out of the
use of motor vehicles” includes claims for compensation under 1[section 164].
(2) A Claims Tribunal shall consist of such number of members as the State Government may think
fit to appoint and where it consists of two or more members, one of them shall be appointed as the
Chairman thereof.
(3) A person shall not be qualified for appointment as a member of a Claims Tribunal unless he—
(a) is, or has been, a Judge of a High Court; or
(b) is, or has been, a District Judge; or
(c) is qualified for appointment as a Judge of a High Court 2[or as a District Judge].
(4) Where two or more Claims Tribunals are constituted for any area, the State Government, may by
general or special order, regulate the distribution of business among them.
166. Application for compensation.—(1) An application for compensation arising out of an accident
of the nature specified in sub-section (1) of section 165 may be made—
(a) by the person who has sustained the injury; or
(b) by the owner of the property; or
(c) where death has resulted from the accident, by all or any of the legal representatives of the
deceased; or
(d) by any agent duly authorised by the person injured or all or any of the legal representatives of
the deceased, as the case may be:
Provided that where all the legal representatives of the deceased have not joined in any such
application for compensation, the application shall be made on behalf of or for the benefit of all the legal
representatives of the deceased and the legal representatives who have not so joined, shall be impleaded
as respondents to the application.
1. Subs. by Act 32 of 2019, s. 52, for “section 140 and section 163A” (w.e.f. 1-4-2022).
2. Added by Act 54 of 1994, s. 52 (w.e.f. 14-11-1994).
97
1[Provided further that where a person accepts compensation under section 164 in accordance with
the procedure provided under section 149, his claims petition before the Claims Tribunal shall lapse.]
2[(2) Every application under sub-section (1) shall be made, at the option of the claimant, either to the
Claims Tribunal having jurisdiction over the area in which the accident occurred or to the Claims
Tribunal within the local limits of whose jurisdiction the claimant resides or carries on business or within
the local limits of whose jurisdiction the defendant resides, and shall be in such form and contain such
particulars as may be prescribed:
3* * * * *.]
4[(3) No application for compensation shall be entertained unless it is made within six months of the
occurrence of the accident.]
5[(4) The Claims Tribunal shall treat any report of accidents forwarded to it under 6[section 159] as an
application for compensation under this Act.]
7[(5) Notwithstanding anything in this Act or any other law for the time being in force, the right of a
person to claim compensation for injury in an accident shall, upon the death of the person injured, survive
to his legal representatives, irrespective of whether the cause of death is relatable to or had any nexus with
the injury or not.]
167. Option regarding claims for compensation in certain cases.—Notwithstanding anything
contained in the Workmen’s Compensation Act, 1923 (8 of 1923), where the death of, or bodily injury to,
any person gives rise to a claim for compensation under this Act and also under the Workmen’s
Compensation Act, 1923, the person entitled to compensation may without prejudice to the provisions of
Chapter X claim such compensation under either of those Acts but not under both.
168. Award of the Claims Tribunal.—(1) On receipt of an application for compensation made
under section 166, the Claims Tribunal shall, after giving notice of the application to the insurer and after
giving the parties (including the insurer) an opportunity of being heard, hold an inquiry into the claim or,
as the case may be, each of the claims and, subject to the provisions of 8[section 163] may make an award
determining the amount of compensation which appears to it to be just and specifying the person or
persons to whom compensation shall be paid and in making the award the Claims Tribunal shall specify
the amount which shall be paid by the insurer or owner or driver of the vehicle involved in the accident or
by all or any of them, as the case may be:
9* * * * *
(2) The Claims Tribunal shall arrange to deliver copies of the award to the parties concerned
expeditiously and in any case within a period of fifteen days from the date of the award.
(3) When an award is made under this section, the person who is required to pay any amount in terms
of such award shall, within thirty days of the date of announcing the award by the Claims Tribunal,
deposit the entire amount awarded in such manner as the Claims Tribunal may direct.
169. Procedure and powers of Claims Tribunals.—(1) In holding any inquiry under section 168,
the Claims Tribunal may, subject to any rules that may be made in this behalf, follow such summary
procedure as it thinks fit.
(2) The Claims Tribunal shall have all the powers of a Civil Court for the purpose of taking evidence
on oath and of enforcing the attendance of witnesses and of compelling the discovery and production of
documents and material objects and for such other purposes as may be prescribed; and the Claims
1. Ins. by Act 32 of 2019, s. 53 (w.e.f. 1-4-2022).
2. Subs. by Act 54 of 1994, s. 53, for sub-section (2) (w.e.f. 14-11-1994).
3. Proviso omitted by Act 32 of 2019, s. 53, (w.e.f. 1-4-2022).
4. Ins. by s. 53, ibid. (w.e.f. 1-4-2022), Earlier sub-section (3) omitted by Act 54 of 1994, s. 53, (w.e.f. 14-11-1994).
5. Subs. by Act 54 of 1994, s. 53, for sub-section (4) (w.e.f. 14-11-1994).
6. Subs. by Act 32 of 2019, s. 53, for “sub-section (6) of section 158” (w.e.f. 1-4-2022).
7. Ins. by s. 53, ibid. (w.e.f. 1-4-2022).
8. Subs. by s. 54, ibid, for s. 162 (w.e.f. 1-4-2022).
9. Proviso omitted by s. 54, ibid, (w.e.f. 1-4-2022).
98
Tribunal shall be deemed to be a Civil Court for all the purposes of section 195 and Chapter XXVI of the
Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974).
(3) Subject to any rules that may be made in this behalf, the Claims Tribunal may, for the purpose of
adjudicating upon any claim for compensation, choose one or more persons possessing special knowledge
of any matter relevant to the inquiry to assist it in holding the inquiry.
1[(4) For the purpose of enforcement of its award, the Claims Tribunal shall also have all the powers
of a Civil Court in the execution of a decree under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (5 of 1908), as if the
award were a decree for the payment of money passed by such court in a civil suit.]
170. Impleading insurer in certain cases.—Where in the course of any inquiry, the Claims Tribunal
is satisfied that—
(a) there is collusion between the person making the claim and the person against whom the
claim is made; or
(b) the person against whom the claim is made has failed to contest the claim,
it may, for reasons to be recorded in writing, direct that the insurer who may be liable in respect of such
claim, shall be impleaded as a party to the proceeding and the insurer so impleaded shall thereupon have,
without prejudice to the provisions contained in sub-section (2) of 2[section 150], the right to contest the
claim on all or any of the grounds that are available to the person against whom the claim has been made.
171. Award of interest where any claim is allowed.—Where any Claims Tribunal allows a claim
for compensation made under this Act, such Tribunal may direct that in addition to the amount of
compensation simple interest shall also be paid at such rate and from such date not earlier than the date of
making the claim as it may specify in this behalf.
172. Award of compensatory costs in certain cases.—(1) Any Claims Tribunal adjudicating upon
any claim for compensation under this Act, may in any case where it is satisfied for reasons to be
recorded by it in writing that—
(a) the policy of insurance is void on the ground that it was obtained by representation of fact
which was false in any material particular; or
(b) any party or insurer has put forward a false or vexatious claim or defence,
such Tribunal may make an order for the payment, by the party who is guilty of mis-representation or by
whom such claim or defence has been put forward of special costs by way of compensation to the insurer
or, as the case may be, to the party against whom such claim or defence has been put forward.
(2) No Claims Tribunal shall pass an order for special costs under sub-section (1) for any amount
exceeding one thousand rupees.
(3) No person or insurer against whom an order has been made under this section shall, by reason
thereof be exempted from any criminal liability in respect of such mis-representation, claim or defence as
is referred to in sub-section (1).
(4) Any amount awarded by way of compensation under this section in respect of any
mis-representation, claim or defence, shall be taken into account in any subsequent suit for damages for
compensation in respect of such mis-representation, claim or defence.
173. Appeals.—(1) Subject to the provisions of sub-section (2), any person aggrieved by an award of
a Claims Tribunal may, within ninety days from the date of the award, prefer an appeal to the High Court:
Provided that no appeal by the person who is required to pay any amount in terms of such award shall
be entertained by the High Court unless he has deposited with it twenty-five thousand rupees or fifty per
cent. of the amount so awarded, whichever is less, in the manner directed by the High Court:
1. Ins. by Act 32 of 2019, s. 55, (w.e.f. 1-4-2022).
2. Subs. by s. 56, ibid., for S. 149 (w.e.f. 1-4-2022).
99
Provided further that the High Court may entertain the appeal after the expiry of the said period of
ninety days, if it is satisfied that the appellant was prevented by sufficient cause from preferring the
appeal in time.
(2) No appeal shall lie against any award of a Claims Tribunal if the amount in dispute in the appeal
is less than 1[one lakh] rupees.
174. Recovery of money from insurer as arrear of land revenue.—Where any amount is due from
any person under an award, the Claims Tribunal may, on an application made to it by the person entitled
to the amount, issue a certificate for the amount to the Collector and the Collector shall proceed to recover
the same in the same manner as an arrear of land revenue.
175. Bar on jurisdiction of Civil Courts.—Where any Claims Tribunal has been constituted for any
area, no Civil Court shall have jurisdiction to entertain any question relating to any claim for
compensation which may be adjudicated upon by the Claims Tribunal for that area, and no injunction in
respect of any action taken or to be taken by or before the Claims Tribunal in respect of the claim for
compensation shall be granted by the Civil Court.
176. Power of State Government to make rules.—A State Government may make rules for the
purpose of carrying into effect the provisions of sections 165 to 174, and in particular, such rules may
provide for all or any of the following matters, namely:—
(a) the form of application for claims for compensation and the particulars it may contain, and the
fees, if any, to be paid in respect of such applications;
(b) the procedure to be followed by a Claims Tribunal in holding an inquiry under this Chapter;
(c) the powers vested in a Civil Court which may be exercised by a Claims Tribunal;
(d) the form and the manner in which and the fees (if any) on payment of which an appeal may be
preferred against an award of a Claims Tribunal; and
(e) any other matter which is to be, or may be, prescribed.
CHAPTER XIII
OFFENCES, PENALTIES AND PROCEDURE
177. General provision for punishment of offences.—Whoever contravenes any provision of this
Act or of any rule, regulation or notification made thereunder shall, if no penalty is provided for the
offence be punishable for the first offence with fine which may extend to 2[five hundred rupees], and for
any second or subsequent offence with fine which may extend to 3[one thousand and five hundred
rupees].
4[177A. Penalty for contravention of regulations under section 118.—Whoever contravenes the
regulations made under section 118, shall be punishable with fine which shall not be less than five
hundred rupees, but may extend to one thousand rupees.]
178. Penalty for travelling without pass or ticket and for dereliction of duty on the part of
conductor and refusal to ply contract carriage, etc.—(1) Whoever travels in a stage carriage without
having a proper pass or ticket with him or being in or having alighted from a stage carriage fails or
refuses to present for examination or to deliver up his pass or ticket immediately on a requisition being
made therefor, shall be punishable with fine which may extend to five hundred rupees.
Explanation.—In this section, “pass” and “ticket” have the meanings respectively assigned to them in
section 124.
(2) If the conductor of a stage carriage, or the driver of a stage carriage performing the functions of a
conductor in such stage carriage, whose duty is—
1. Subs. by Act 32 of 2019, s. 57, for “ten thousand” (w.e.f. 1-4-2022).
2. Subs. by, s. 58, ibid., for “one hundred rupees” (w.e.f. 1-9-2019).
3. Subs. by s. 58, ibid., for “three hundred rupees” (w.e.f. 1-9-2019).
4. Ins. by s. 59, ibid. (w.e.f. 1-9-2019).
100
(a) to supply a ticket to a person travelling in a stage carriage on payment of fare by such person,
either wilfully or negligently,—
(i) fails or refuses to accept the fare when tendered; or
(ii) fails or refuses to supply a ticket; or
(iii) supplies an invalid ticket; or
(iv) supplies a ticket of a lesser value; or
(b) to check any pass or ticket, either wilfully or negligently fails or refuses to do so,
he shall be punishable with fine which may extend to five hundred rupees.
(3) If the holder of a permit or the driver of a contract carriage refuses, in contravention of the
provisions of this Act or rules made thereunder, to ply the contract carriage or to carry the passengers, he
shall,—
(a) in the case of two-wheeled or three-wheeled motor vehicles, be punishable with fine which
may extend to fifty rupees; and
(b) in any other case, be punishable with fine which may extend to 1[five hundred rupees].
179. Disobedience of orders, obstruction and refusal of information.—(1) Whoever wilfully
disobeys any direction lawfully given by any person or authority empowered under this Act to give such
direction, or obstructs any person or authority in the discharge of any functions which such person or
authority is required or empowered under this Act to discharge, shall, if no other penalty is provided for
the offence be punishable with fine which may extend to 2[two thousand rupees].
(2) Whoever, being required by or under this Act to supply any information, wilfully withholds such
information or gives information which he known to be false or which he does not believe to be true,
shall, if no other penalty is provided for the offence, be punishable with imprisonment for a term which
may extend to one month, or with fine which may extend to 2[two thousand rupees], or with both.
180. Allowing unauthorised persons to drive vehicles.—Whenever, being the owner or person in
charge of a motor vehicle, causes, or permits, any other person who does not satisfy the provisions of
section 3 or section 4 to drive the vehicle shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may
extend to three months, or with fine 3[of five thousand rupees], or with both.
181. Driving vehicles in contravention of section 3 or section 4.—Whoever, drives a motor vehicle
in contravention of section 3 or section 4 shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may
extend to three months, or with fine 4[of five thousand rupees], or with both.
182. Offences relating to licences.—(1) Whoever, being disqualified under this Act for holding or
obtaining a driving licence drives a motor vehicle in a public place or in any other place, or applies for or
obtains a driving licence or, not being entitled to have a driving licence issued to him free of
endorsement, applies for or obtains a driving licence without disclosing the endorsement made on a
driving licence previously held by him shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may
extend to three months, or with fine 5[of ten thousand rupees] or with both, and any driving licence so
obtained by him shall be of no effect.
(2) Whoever, being disqualified under this Act for holding or obtaining a conductor’s licence, acts as
a conductor of a stage carriage in a public place or applies for or obtains a conductor’s licence or, not
being entitled to have a conductor’s licence issued to him free of endorsement, applies for or obtains a
conductor’s licence without disclosing the endorsements made on a conductor’s licence previously held
by him, shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to one month, or with fine
1. Subs. by Act 32 of 2019, s. 60, for “two hundred rupees” (w.e.f. 1-9-2019).
2. Subs. by s. 61, ibid., for “five hundred rupees” (w.e.f. 1-9-2019).
3. Subs. by s. 62, ibid., for “which may extend to one thousand rupees” (w.e.f. 1-9-2019).
4. Subs. by s. 63, ibid., for “which may extend to five hundred rupees” (w.e.f. 1-9-2019).
5. Subs. by s. 64, ibid., for “which may extend to five hundred rupees” (w.e.f. 1-9-2019).
101
which may extend to 1[ten thousand rupees], or with both, and any conductor’s licence so obtained by him
shall be of no effect.
2[182A. Punishment for offences relating to construction, maintenance, sale and alteration of
motor vehicles and components.—(1) Whoever, being a manufacturer, importer or dealer of motor
vehicles, sells or delivers or alters or offers to sell or deliver or alter, a motor vehicle that is in
contravention of the provisions of Chapter VII or the rules and regulations made thereunder, shall be
punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year, or with fine of one lakh rupees
per such motor vehicle or with both:
Provided that no person shall be convicted under this section if he proves that, at the time of sale or
delivery or alteration or offer of sale or delivery or alteration of such motor vehicle, he had disclosed to
the other party the manner in which such motor vehicle was in contravention of the provisions of Chapter
VII or the rules and regulations made thereunder.
(2) Whoever, being a manufacturer of motor vehicles, fails to comply with the provisions of Chapter
VII or the rules and regulations made thereunder, shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which
may extend to one year or with fine which may extend to one hundred crore rupees or with both.
(3) Whoever, sells or offers to sell, or permits the sale of any component of a motor vehicle which has
been notified as a critical safety component by the Central Government and which does not comply with
Chapter VII or the rules and regulations made thereunder shall be punishable with imprisonment for a
term which may extend to one year or with fine of one lakh rupees per such component or with both.
(4) Whoever, being the owner of a motor vehicle, alters a motor vehicle, including by way of
retrofitting of motor vehicle parts, in a manner not permitted under the Act or the rules and regulations
made thereunder shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months, or
with fine of five thousand rupees per such alteration or with both.
182B. Punishment for contravention of section 62A.—Whoever contravenes the provisions of
section 62A, shall be punishable with fine which shall not be less than five thousand rupees, but may
extend to ten thousand rupees.]
183. Driving at excessive speed, etc.—(1) Whoever, drives 3[or causes any person who is employed
by him or subjects someone under his control to drive] a motor vehicle in contravention of the speed
limits referred to in section 112 shall be punishable 4[in the following manner, namely:—
(i) where such motor vehicle is a light motor vehicle with fine which shall not be less than one
thousand rupees but may extend to two thousand rupees;
(ii) where such motor vehicle is a medium goods vehicle or a medium passenger vehicle or a
heavy goods vehicle or a heavy passenger vehicle with fine which shall not be less than two thousand
rupees, but may extend to four thousand rupees; and
(iii) for the second or any subsequent offence under this sub-section the driving licence of such
driver shall be impounded as per the provisions of the sub-section (4) of section 206.]
5* * * * *
(3) No person shall be convicted of an offence punishable under sub-section (1) solely on the
evidence of one witness to the effect that in the opinion of the witness such person was driving at a speed
which was unlawful, unless that opinion is shown to be based on an estimate obtained by the use of some
mechanical 6[or electronic] device.
(4) The publication of a time table under which, or the giving of any direction that, any journey or
part of a journey is to be completed within a specified time shall, if in the opinion of the Court it is not
practicable in the circumstances of the case for that journey or part of a journey to be completed in the
1. Subs. by Act 32 of 2019, s. 64, for “one hundred rupees” (w.e.f. 1-9-2019).
2. Subs. by s. 65, ibid., for S. 182A (w.e.f. 1-9-2019).
3. Ins. by, s. 66, ibid. (w.e.f. 1-9-2019).
4. Subs. by s. 66, ibid., for the certain words (w.e.f. 1-9-2019).
5. Sub-section (2) omitted by s. 66, ibid. (w.e.f. 1-9-2019).
6. Ins. by s. 66, ibid. (w.e.f. 1-9-2019).
102
specified time without contravening the speed limits referred to in section 112 be prima facie evidence
that the person who published the time table or gave the direction has committed an offence punishable
under 1[sub-section (1)].
184. Driving dangerously.—Whoever drives a motor vehicle at a speed or in a manner which is
dangerous to the public 2[or which causes a sense of alarm or distress to the occupants of the vehicle,
other road users, and persons near roads,] having regard to all the circumstances of case including the
nature, condition and use of the place where the vehicle is driven and the amount of traffic which actually
is at the time or which might reasonably be expected to be in the place, shall be punishable for the first
offence with imprisonment for a term 3[which may extend to one year but shall not be less than six
months or with fine which shall not be less than one thousand rupees but may extend to five thousand
rupees, or with both], and for any second or subsequent offence if committed within three years of the
commission of a previous similar offence with imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years,
or with fine 4[of ten thousand rupees], or with both.
5[Explanation.—For the purpose of this section,—
(a) jumping a red light;
(b) violating a stop sign;
(c) use of handheld communications devices while driving;
(d) passing or overtaking other vehicles in a manner contrary to law;
(e) driving against the authorised flow of traffic; or
(f) driving in any manner that falls far below what would be expected of a competent and careful
driver and where it would be obvious to a competent and careful driver that driving in that manner
would be dangerous,
shall amount to driving in such manner which is dangerous to the public.]
185. Driving by a drunken person or by a person under the influence of drugs.—Whoever, while
driving, or attempting to drive, a motor vehicle,—
6[(a) has, in his blood, alcohol exceeding 30 mg. per 100 ml. of blood detected in a test by a
breath analyser, 7[or in any other test including a laboratory test,] or]
(b) is under the influence of a drug to such an extent as to be incapable of exercising proper
control over the vehicle,
shall be punishable for the first offence with imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months, or
with fine 8[of ten thousand rupees], or with both; and for a second or subsequent offence, 9*** with
imprisonment for term which may extend to two years, or with fine 10[of fifteen thousand rupees], or with
both.
11[Explanation.—For the purposes of this section, the expression “drug” means any intoxicant other
than alcohol, natural or synthetic, or any natural material or any salt, or preparation of such substance or
material as may be notified by the Central Government under this Act and includes a narcotic drug and
psychotropic substance as defined in clause (xiv) and clause (xxiii) of section 2 of the Narcotic Drugs and
Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 (61 of 1985).]
1. Subs. by 32 of 2019, s. 66, for “sub-section (2)” (w.e.f. 1-9-2019).
2. Ins. by s. 67, ibid. (w.e.f. 1-9-2019).
3. Subs. by s. 67, ibid., for “which may extend to six months, or with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees” (w.e.f. 1-9-
2019).
4. Subs. by s. 67, ibid., for “which may extend to two thousand rupees” (w.e.f. 1-9-2019).
5. Ins. by s. 67, ibid. (w.e.f. 1-9-2019).
6. Subs. by Act 54 of 1994, s. 55, for Cl. (a) (w.e.f. 14-11-1994).
7. Ins. by Act 32 of 2019, s. 68 (w.e.f. 1-9-2019).
8. Subs. by s. 68, ibid., for “which may extend to two thousand rupees” (w.e.f. 1-9-2019).
9. The words “if committed within three years of the commission of the previous similar offence,” omitted by s. 68, ibid. (w.e.f.
1-9-2019).
10. Subs. by s. 68, ibid., for “which may extend to three thousand rupees” (w.e.f. 1-9-2019).
11. Subs. by s. 68, ibid., for the Explanation (w.e.f. 1-9-2019).
103
186. Driving when mentally or physically unfit to drive.—Whoever drives a motor vehicle in any
public place when he is to his knowledge suffering from any disease or disability calculated to cause his
driving of the vehicle to be a source of danger to the public, shall be punishable for the first offence with
fine which may extend to 1[one thousand rupees] and for a second or subsequent offence with fine which
may extend to 2[two thousand rupees].
187. Punishment for offences relating to accident.—Whoever fails to comply with the provisions
of clause 3[(a)] of sub-section (1) of section 132 or section 133 or section 134 shall be punishable with
imprisonment for a term which may extend to 4[six months], or with fine 5[of five thousand rupees], or
with both or, if having been previously convicted of an offence under this section, he is again convicted
of an offence under this section, with imprisonment for a term which may extend to 6[one year], or with
fine 7[of ten thousand rupees], or with both.
188. Punishment for abetment of certain offences.—Whoever abets the commission of an offence
under section 184, section 185 or section 186 shall be punishable with the punishment provided for the
offence.
189. Racing and trials of speed.—Whoever without the written consent of the State Government
permits or takes part in a race or trial of speed of any kind between motor vehicles in any public place
shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to 8[three months], or with fine 9[of
five thousand rupees], or with both 10[and for a subsequent offence shall be punishable with imprisonment
for a term which may extend to one year, or with fine of ten thousand rupees; or with both].
190. Using vehicle in unsafe condition.—(1) Any person who drives or causes or allows to be driven
in any public place a motor vehicle or trailer while the vehicle or trailer has any defect, which such person
knows of or could have discovered by the exercise of ordinary care and which is calculated to render the
driving of the vehicle a source of danger to persons and vehicles using such place, shall be punishable
with fine 11[of one thousand five hundred rupees] or, if as a result of such defect an accident is caused
causing bodily injury or damage to property, with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three
months, or with fine 12[of five thousand rupees], or with both 13[and for a subsequent offence shall be
punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months, or with a fine of ten thousand
rupees for bodily injury or damage to property].
(2) Any person who drives or causes or allows to be driven, in any public place a motor vehicle,
which violates the standards prescribed in relation to road safety, control of noise and air-pollution, shall
be punishable for the first offence with 14[imprisonment for a term which may extend to three months, or
with fine which may extend to ten thousand rupees or with both and he shall be disqualified for holding
licence for a period of three months] and for any second or subsequent offence with 15[imprisonment for a
term which may extend to six months, or with fine which may extend to ten thousand rupees or with
both].
(3) Any person who drives or causes or allows to be driven, in any public place a motor vehicle which
violates the provisions of this Act or the rules made thereunder relating to the carriage of goods which are
of dangerous or hazardous nature to human life, shall be punishable for the first offence 16[with a fine of
ten thousand rupees and he shall be disqualified for holding licence for a period of three months], or with
1. Subs. by Act 32 of 2019, s. 69, for “two hundred rupees” (w.e.f. 1-9-2019).
2. Subs. by s. 69, ibid., for “five hundred rupees” (w.e.f. 1-9-2019).
3. Subs. by s. 70, ibid., for “(c)” (w.e.f. 1-9-2019).
4. Subs. by s. 70, ibid., for “three months” (w.e.f. 1-9-2019).
5. Subs. by s. 70, ibid., for “which may extend to five hundred rupees” (w.e.f. 1-9-2019).
6. Subs. by s. 70, ibid., for “six months” (w.e.f. 1-9-2019).
7. Subs. by s. 70, ibid., for “which may extend to one thousand rupees” (w.e.f. 1-9-2019).
8. Subs. by s. 71, ibid., for “one month” (w.e.f. 1-9-2019).
9. Subs. by s. 71, ibid., for “which may extend to five hundred rupees” (w.e.f. 1-9-2019).
10. Ins. by s. 71, ibid. (w.e.f. 1-9-2019).
11. Subs. by s. 72, ibid., for “which may extend to two hundred and fifty rupees” (w.e.f. 1-9-2019).
12. Subs. by s. 72, ibid., for “which may extend to one thousand rupees” (w.e.f. 1-9-2019).
13. Ins. by s. 72, ibid. (w.e.f. 1-9-2019).
14. Subs. by s. 72, ibid., for “a fine of one thousand rupees” (w.e.f. 1-9-2019).
15. Subs. by s. 72, ibid., for “a fine of two thousand rupees” (w.e.f. 1-9-2019).
16. Subs. by s. 72, ibid., for “which may extend to three thousand rupees” (w.e.f. 1-9-2019).
104
imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year, or with both, and for any second or subsequent offence
with fine 1[of twenty thousand rupees], or with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years, or
with both.
191. [Sale of vehicle in or alteration of vehicle to condition contravening this Act.] Omitted by the Motor
Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019 (32 of 2019), s. 73 (w.e.f. 1-9-2019).
2[192. Using vehicle without registration.—(1) Whoever drives a motor vehicle or causes or allows a
motor vehicle to be used in contravention of the provisions of section 39 shall be punishable for the first
offence with a fine which may extend to five thousand rupees but shall not be less than two thousand rupees
for a second or subsequent offence with imprisonment which may extend to one year or with fine which may
extend to ten thousand rupees but shall not be less than five thousand rupees or with both:
Provided that the court may, for reasons to be recorded, impose a lesser punishment.
(2) Nothing in this section shall apply to the use of a motor vehicle in an emergency for the conveyance of
persons suffering from sickness or injuries or for the transport of food or materials to relieve distress or of
medical supplies for a like purpose:
Provided that the persons using the vehicle reports about the same to the Regional Transport Authority
within seven days from the date of such use.
(3) The court to which an appeal lies from any conviction in respect of an offence of the nature specified
in sub-section (1), may set aside or vary any order made by the court below, notwithstanding that no appeal
lies against the conviction in connection with which such order was made.
3[Explanation.—Use of a motor vehicle in contravention of the provisions of section 56 shall be deemed to
be a contravention of the provisions of section 39 and shall be punishable in the same manner as provided in
sub-section (1).]
STATE AMENDMENT
Rajasthan
Amendment of Section 192, Central Act 59 of 1988.—In Section 192 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 (Central
Act 59 of 1988), in its application to the State of Rajasthan, hereinafter referred to as the Principal Act, —
(a) in sub-section (1), for the expression “with fine which may extend to two thousand rupees” as occurring
between the expression “punishable for the first offence” and the expression “and for any second or subsequent
offence”, the expression “with fine which shall not be less than five thousand rupees” and for the expression “with
fine which may extend to three thousand rupees” as occurring between the expression “which may extend to six
months or” and the expression “or with both”, the expression “with fine which shall not be less than ten thousand
rupees” shall be substituted, and
(b) After sub-section (1) as so amended, the following proviso shall be inserted, namely:-“Provided that, in a
case of contravention of the provision of section 39 or of any condition of the permit relating to the maximum
number of passengers or maximum weight of luggage that may be carried on the vehicle, the court may for any
adequate or special reason to be mentioned in the judgment, impose a fine less than that laid down in this sub-
section.”
[Vide Rajasthan Act 2 of 1993, s. 2]
192A. Using vehicle without permit.—(1) Whoever drives a motor vehicle or causes or allows a
motor vehicle to be used in contravention of the provisions of sub-section (1) of section 66 or in
contravention of any condition of a permit relating to the route on which or the area in which or the
purpose for which the vehicle may be used, shall be punishable for the first offence with 4[imprisonment
for a term which may extend to six months 5[or a fine of ten thousand rupees, or with both]] and for any
subsequent offence with imprisonment which may extend to one year but shall not be less than 6[six
months] or with fine 7[of ten thousand rupees] or with both:
8* * * * *
(2) Nothing in this section shall apply to the use of a motor vehicle in an emergency for the
conveyance of persons suffering from sickness or injury or for the transport of materials for repair or for
the transport of food or materials to relieve distress or of medical supplies for a like purpose:
1. Subs. by Act 32 of 2019, s. 72, for “which may extend to five thousand rupees” (w.e.f. 1-9-2019).
2. Subs. by Act 54 of 1994, s. 56, for S. 192 (w.e.f. 14-11-1994).
3. Ins. by Act 32 of 2019, s. 74 (w.e.f. 1-10-2020).
4. Ins. by s. 75, ibid., (w.e.f. 1-9-2019).
5. Subs. by Act 18 of 2023, s. 2 and Schedule for “and a fine of ten thousand rupees” (w.e.f. 13-01-2025).
6. Subs. by Act 32 of 2019, s. 75, ibid., for “three months” (w.e.f. 1-9-2019).
7. Subs. by s. 75, ibid., for “which may extend to ten thousand rupees but shall not be less than five thousand rupees”
(w.e.f. 1-9-2019).
8. Proviso omitted by Act 18 of 2023, s. 2 and Schedule (w.e.f. 13-01-2025).
105
Provided that the person using the vehicle reports about the same to the Regional Transport Authority
within seven days from the date of such use.
(3) The court to which an appeal lies from any conviction in respect of an offence of the nature
specified in sub-section (1), may set aside or vary any order made by the court below, notwithstanding
that no appeal lies against the conviction in connection with which such order was made.]
1[192B. Offences relating to registration.—(1) Whoever, being the owner of a motor vehicle, fails to
make an application for registration of such motor vehicle under sub-section (1) of section 41 shall be
punishable with fine of five times the annual road tax or one-third of the lifetime tax of the motor vehicle
whichever is higher.
(2) Whoever, being a dealer, fails to make an application for the registration of a new motor vehicle
under the second proviso to sub-section (1) of section 41 shall be punishable with fine of fifteen times the
annual road tax or the lifetime tax of the motor vehicle whichever is higher.
(3) Whoever, being the owner of a motor vehicle, obtains a certificate of registration for such vehicle
on the basis of documents which were, or by representation of facts which was, false in any material
particular, or the engine number or the chassis number embossed thereon are different from such number
entered in the certificate of registration shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which shall not
be less than six months but may extend to one year and with fine equal to ten times the amount of the
annual road tax or two-third the lifetime tax of the motor vehicle, whichever is higher.
(4) Whoever, being a dealer, obtains a certificate of registration for such vehicle on the basis of
documents which were, or by representation of facts which was, false in any material particular, or the
engine number or the chassis number embossed thereon are different from such number entered in the
certificate of registration shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than six
months but may extend to one year and with fine equal to ten times the amount of annual road tax or
two-third the lifetime tax of the motor vehicle, whichever is higher.]
193. Punishment of 2[agents, canvassers and aggregators] without proper authority.—3[1]
Whoever engages himself as an agent or canvasser in contravention of the provisions of section 93 or of
any rules made thereunder shall be punishable for the first offence with fine 4[of one thousand rupees] and
for any second or subsequent offence with imprisonment which may extend to six months, or with fine
5[of two thousand rupees], or with both.
6[(2) Whoever engages himself as an aggregator in contravention of the provisions of section 93 or of
any rules made there under shall be punishable with fine up to one lakh rupees but shall not be less than
twenty-five thousand rupees.
(3) Whoever, while operating as an aggregator contravenes a condition of the licence granted under
sub-section (1) of section 93, not designated by the State Government as a material condition, shall be
punishable with fine of five thousand rupees.]
194. Driving vehicle exceeding permissible weight.—7[(1) Whoever drives a motor vehicle or
causes or allows a motor vehicle to be driven in contravention of the provisions of section 113 or
section 114 or section 115 shall be punishable with 8*** fine 9[of twenty thousand rupees and an
additional amount of two thousand rupees per tonne of excess load], together with the liability to pay
charges for off-loading of the excess load.]
10[Provided that such motor vehicle shall not be allowed to move before such excess load is removed
or is caused or allowed to be removed by the person in control of such motor vehicle.]
1. Ins. by Act 32 of 2019, s. 76 (w.e.f. 1-4-2021).
2. Subs. by s. 77, ibid., for “agents and canvassers” (w.e.f. 1-4-2021).
3. Section 193 numbered as sub-section (1) thereof by s. 77, ibid. (w.e.f. 1-4-2021).
4. Subs. by s. 77, ibid., for “which may extend to one thousand rupees” (w.e.f. 1-9-2019).
5. Subs. by s. 77, ibid., for “which may extend to two thousand rupees” (w.e.f. 1-9-2019).
6. Ins. by s. 77, ibid, (w.e.f. 1-4-2021).
7. Subs. by Act 54 of 1994, s. 57, for sub-section (1) (w.e.f. 14-11-1994).
8. The word “minimum” omitted by Act 32 of 2019, s. 78 (w.e.f. 1-9-2019).
9. Subs. by s. 78, ibid., for “of two thousand rupees and an additional amount of one thousand rupees per tonne of excess load”
(w.e.f. 1-9-2019).
10. Ins. by s. 78, ibid. (w.e.f. 1-9-2019).
106
1[(1A) Whoever drives a motor vehicle or causes or allows a motor vehicle to be driven when such
motor vehicle is loaded in such a manner that the load or any part thereof or anything extends laterally
beyond the side of the body or to the front or to the rear or in height beyond the permissible limit shall be
punishable with a fine of twenty thousand rupees, together with the liability to pay charges for off-loading
of such load:
Provided that such motor vehicle shall not be allowed to move before such load is arranged in a
manner such that there is no extension of the load laterally beyond the side of the body or to the front or
to the rear or in height beyond the permissible limit:
Provided further that nothing in this sub-section shall apply when such motor vehicle has been given
an exemption by the competent authority authorised in this behalf, by the State Government or the Central
Government, allowing the carriage of a particular load.]
(2) Any driver of a vehicle who refuses to stop and submit his vehicle to weighing after being
directed to do so by an officer authorised in this behalf under section 114 or removes or causes the
removal of the load or part of it prior to weighing shall be punishable with fine 2[of forty thousand
rupees].
3[194A. Carriage of excess passengers.—Whoever drives a transport vehicle or causes or allows a
transport vehicle to be driven while carrying more passengers than is authorised in the registration
certificate of such transport vehicle or the permit conditions applicable to such transport vehicle shall be
punishable with a fine of two hundred rupees per excess passenger:
Provided that such transport vehicle shall not be allowed to move before the excess passengers are
off-loaded and an alternative transport is arranged for such passengers.
194B. Use of safety belts and the seating of children.—(1) Whoever drives a motor vehicle without
wearing a safety belt or carries passengers not wearing seat belts shall be punishable with a fine of one
thousand rupees:
Provided that the State Government, may by notification in the Official Gazette, exclude the
application of this sub-section to transport vehicles to carry standing passengers or other specified classes
of transport vehicles.
(2) Whoever drives a motor vehicle or causes or allows a motor vehicle to be driven with a child who,
not having attained the age of fourteen years, is not secured by a safety belt or a child restraint system
shall be punishable with a fine of one thousand rupees.
194C. Penalty for violation of safety measures for motor cycle drivers and pillion riders.—
Whoever drives a motor cycle or causes or allows a motor cycle to be driven in contravention of the
provisions of section 128 or the rules or regulations made thereunder shall be punishable with a fine of
one thousand rupees and he shall be disqualified for holding licence for a period of three months.
194D. Penalty for not wearing protective headgear.—Whoever drives a motor cycle or causes or
allows a motor cycle to be driven in contravention of the provisions of section 129 or the rules or
regulations made thereunder shall be punishable with a fine of one thousand rupees and he shall be
disqualified for holding licence for a period of three months.
194E. Failure to allow free passage to emergency vehicles.—Whoever while driving a motor
vehicle fails to draw to the side of the road, on the approach of a fire service vehicle or of an ambulance
or other emergency vehicle as may be specified by the State Government, shall be punishable with
imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months, or with a fine of ten thousand rupees or with
both.
194F. Use of horns and silence zones.—Whoever—
(a) while driving a motor vehicle—
1. Ins. by Act 32 of 2019, s. 78 (w.e.f. 1-9-2019).
2. Subs. by s. 78, ibid., for “which may extend to three thousand rupees” (w.e.f. 1-9-2019).
3. Ins. by s. 79, ibid. (w.e.f. 1-9-2019).
107
(i) sounds the horn needlessly or continuously or more than necessary to ensure safety, or
(ii) sounds the horn in an area with a traffic sign prohibiting the use of a horn, or
(b) drives a motor vehicle which makes use of a cut-out by which exhaust gases are released other
than through the silencer,
shall be punishable with a fine of one thousand rupees and for a second or subsequent offence with a fine
of two thousand rupees.]
195. [Imposition of minimum fine under certain circumstances.] Omitted by the Motor Vehicles
(Amendment) Act, 2019 (32 of 2019), s. 80 (w.e.f. 1-9-2019).
196. Driving uninsured vehicle.—Whoever drives a motor vehicle or causes or allows a motor
vehicle to be driven in contravention of the provisions of section 146 shall be punishable 1[for the first
offence] with imprisonment which may extend to three months, or with fine 2[of two thousand rupees], or
with both 1[, and for a subsequent offence shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may
extend to three months, or with fine of four thousand rupees, or with both].
197. Taking vehicle without authority.—(1) Whoever takes and drives away any motor vehicle
without having either the consent of the owner thereof or other lawful authority shall be punishable with
imprisonment which may extend to three months or with fine 3[of five thousand rupees], or with both.
Provided that no person shall be convicted under this section if the Court is satisfied that such person
acted in the reasonable belief that he had lawful authority or in the reasonable belief that the owner would
in the circumstances of the case have given his consent if he had been asked therefor.
(2) Whoever, unlawfully by force or threat of force or by any other form of intimidation, seizes or
exercises control of a motor vehicle, shall be punishable with imprisonment which may extend to three
months, or with fine 3[of five thousand rupees], or with both.
(3) Whoever attempts to commit any of the acts referred to in sub-section (1) or sub-section (2) in
relation to any motor vehicle, or abets the commission of any such act, shall also be deemed to have
committed an offence under sub-section (1) or, as the case may be, sub-section (2).
198. Unauthorised interference with vehicle.—Whoever otherwise than with lawful authority or
reasonable execuse enters or mounts any stationary motor vehicle or tampers with the brake or any part of
the mechanism of a motor vehicle shall be punishable 4[with fine of one thousand rupees].
5[198A. Failure to comply with standards for road design, construction and maintenance.—(1)
Any designated authority, contractor, consultant or concessionaire responsible for the design or
construction or maintenance of the safety standards of the road shall follow such design, construction and
maintenance standards, as may be prescribed by the Central Government from time to time.
(2) Where failure on the part of the designated authority, contractor, consultant or concessionaire
responsible under sub-section (1) to comply with standards for road design, construction and
maintenance, results in death or disability, such authority or contractor or concessionaire shall be
punishable with a fine which may extend to one lakh rupees and the same shall be paid to the Fund
constituted under section 164B.
(3) For the purposes of sub-section (2), the court shall in particular have regard to the following
matters, namely:—
(a) the characteristics of the road, and the nature and type of traffic which was reasonably
expected to use it as per the design of road;
1. Ins. by Act 32 of 2019, s. 81. (w.e.f. 1-9-2019).
2. Subs. by s. 81, ibid., for “which may extend to one thousand rupees” (w.e.f. 1-9-2019).
3. Subs. by s. 82, ibid., for “which may extend to five hundred rupees” (w.e.f. 1-9-2019).
4. Subs. by s. 83, ibid., for “with fine which may extend to one hundred rupees” (w.e.f 1-9-2019).
5. Ins. by s. 84, ibid. (w.e.f. 1-9-2019).
108
(b) the standard of maintenance norms applicable for a road of that character and use by such
traffic;
(c) the state of repair in which road users would have expected to find the road;
(d) whether the designated authority responsible for the maintenance of the road knew, or could
reasonably have been expected to know, that the condition of the part of the road to which the action
relates was likely to cause danger to the road users;
(e) whether the designated authority responsible for the maintenance of the road could not
reasonably have been expected to repair that part of the road before the cause of action arose;
(f) whether adequate warning notices through road signs, of its condition had been displayed; and
(g) such other matters as may be prescribed by the Central Government.
Explanation.—For the purposes of this section, the term “contractor” shall include sub-contractors
and all such persons who are responsible for any stage in the design, construction and maintenance of a
stretch of road.]
199. Offences by companies.—(1) Where an offence under this Act has been committed by a
company, every person who at the time the offence was committed, was in charge of, and was responsible
to, the company, for the conduct of the business of the company, as well as the company, shall be deemed
to be guilty of the contravention and shall be liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly:
Provided that nothing in this sub-section shall render any such person liable to any punishment
provided in this Act, if he proves that the offence was committed without his knowledge or that he
exercised all due diligence to prevent the commission of such offence.
(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), where an offence under this Act has been
committed by a company, and it is proved that the offence was committed with the consent or connivance
of, or is attributable to any neglect on the part of any director, manager, secretary or other officer of the
company, such director, manager, secretary or other officer shall also be deemed to be guilty of that
offence and shall be liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly.
Explanation.—For the purposes of this section—
(a) “company”, means any body corporate and includes a firm or other association of individuals;
and
(b) “director”, in relation to a firm, means a partner in the firm.
1[199A. Offences by juveniles.—(1) Where an offence under this Act has been committed by a
juvenile, the guardian of such juvenile or the owner of the motor vehicle shall be deemed to be guilty of
the contravention and shall be liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly:
Provided that nothing in this sub-section shall render such guardian or owner liable to any
punishment provided in this Act, if he proves that the offence was committed without his knowledge or
that he exercised all due diligence to prevent the commission of such offence.
Explanation.—For the purposes of this section, the Court shall presume that the use of the motor
vehicle by the juvenile was with the consent of the guardian of such juvenile or the owner of the motor
vehicle, as the case may be.
(2) In addition to the penalty under sub-section (1), such guardian or owner shall be punishable with
imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years and with a fine of twenty-five thousand rupees.
(3) The provisions of sub-section (1) and sub-section (2) shall not apply to such guardian or owner if
the juvenile committing the offence had been granted a learner’s licence under section 8 or a driving
licence and was operating a motor vehicle which such juvenile was licensed to operate.
(4) Where an offence under this Act has been committed by a juvenile, the registration of the motor
vehicle used in the commission of the offence shall be cancelled for a period of twelve months.
1. Ins. by Act 32 of 2019, s. 85 (w.e.f. 1-9-2019).
109
(5) Where an offence under this Act has been committed by a juvenile, then, notwithstanding
section 4 or section 7, such juvenile shall not be eligible to be granted a driving licence under section 9 or
a learner’s licence under section 8 until such juvenile has attained the age of twenty-five years.
(6) Where an offence under this Act has been committed by a juvenile, then such juvenile shall be
punishable with such fines as provided in the Act while any custodial sentence may be modified as per
the provisions of the Juvenile Justice Act, 2000 (56 of 2000).
199B. Revision of fines.—The fines as provided in this Act shall be increased by such amount not
exceeding ten per cent. in value of the existing fines, on an annual basis on 1st day of April of each year
from the date of commencement of the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019 (32 of 2019), as may be
notified by the Central Government.]
200. Composition of certain offences.—1[(1) Any offence whether committed before or after the
commencement of this Act punishable under section 177, section 177A, section 178, section 179,
section 180, section 181, section 182, sub-section (1) or sub-section (3) or sub-section (4) of
section 182A, section 182B, sub-section (1) or sub-section (2) of section 183, clause (c) of the
Explanation to section 184, section 186, section 189, sub-section (2) of section 190, section 192,
section 192A, sub-section (3) of section 192B, section 194, section 194A, section 194B, section 194C,
section 194D, section 194E, section 194F, section 196, section 198 and section 201, may, either before or
after the institution of the prosecution, be compounded by such officers or authorities and for such
amount as the State Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, specify in this behalf.]
2[Provided that the State Government may, in addition to such amount, require the offender to
undertake a period of community service.]
(2) Where an offence has been compounded under sub-section (1), the offender, if in custody, shall be
discharged and no further proceedings shall be taken against him in respect of such offence:
2[Provided that notwithstanding compounding under this section, such offence shall be deemed to be
a previous commission of the same offence for the purpose of determining whether a subsequent offence
has been committed:
Provided further that compounding of an offence will not discharge the offender from proceedings
under sub-section (4) of section 206 or the obligation to complete a driver refresher training course, or the
obligation to complete community service, if applicable.]
201. Penalty for causing obstruction to free flow of traffic.—(1) Whoever keeps a 3*** vehicle on
any public place, in such a manner, so as to cause impediment to the free flow of traffic, shall be liable for
penalty up to 4[five hundred rupees], so long as it remains in that position:
Provided that the vehicle involved in accidents shall be liable for penalty only from the time of
completion of inspection formalities under the law:
5[Provided further that where the vehicle is removed by 6[an agency authorised by the Central
Government or State Government, removal charges] shall be recovered from the vehicle owner or person
in-charge of such vehicle.]
7[(2) Penalties or 8[removal charges] under this section shall be recovered by such officer or authority
as the State Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, authorise.]
9[(3) Sub-section (1) shall not apply where the motor vehicle has suffered an unforeseen breakdown
and is in the process of being removed.]
9[Explanation.—For the purposes of this section, “removal charges” includes any costs involved in
the removal of the motor vehicle from one location to another and also includes any costs related to
storage of such motor vehicle.]
1. Subs. by Act 18 of 2023, s. 2 and Sch. for sub-section (1) (w.e.f. 13-01-2025).
2. Ins. by Act 32 of 2019, s. 86 (w.e.f. 1-9-2019).
3. The word “disabled” omitted by s. 87, ibid. (w.e.f. 1-9-2019).
4. Subs. by s. 87, ibid., for “fifty rupees per hour” (w.e.f. 1-9-2019).
5. Ins. by Act 54 of 1994, s. 59 (w.e.f. 14-11-1994).
6. Subs. by Act 32 of 2019, s. 87, for “a Government agency, towing charges” (w.e.f. 1-9-2019).
7. Subs. by Act 54 of 1994, s. 59, for sub-section (2) (w.e.f. 14-11-1994).
8. Subs. by Act 32 of 2019, s. 87, for “towing charges” (w.e.f. 1-9-2019).
9. Ins. by s. 87, ibid. (w.e.f. 1-9-2019).
110
202. Power to arrest without warrant.—(1) A police officer in uniform may arrest without warrant
any person who in his presence commits an offence punishable under section 184 or section 185 or
section 197:
Provided that any person so arrested in connection with an offence punishable under section 185
shall, within two hours of his arrest, be subjected to a medical examination referred to in sections 203 and
204 by a registered medical practitioner failing which he shall be released from custody.
1[(2) A police officer in uniform may arrest without warrant any person, who has committed an
offence under this Act, if such person refuses to give his name and address.]
(3) A police officer arresting without warrant the driver of a motor vehicle shall if the circumstances
so require take or cause to be taken any steps he may consider proper for the temporary disposal of the
vehicle.
203. Breath tests.—2[(1) A police officer in uniform or an officer of the Motor Vehicles Department,
as may be authorised in this behalf by that Department, may require any person driving or attempting to
drive a motor vehicle in a public place to provide one or more specimens of breath for breath test there or
nearby, if such police officer or officer has any reasonable cause to suspect him of having committed an
offence under section 185:
Provided that requirement for breath test shall be made (unless it is made) as soon as reasonably
practicable after the commission of such offence.]
(2) If a motor vehicle is involved in an accident in a public place and a police officer in uniform has
any reasonable cause to suspect that the person who was driving the motor vehicle at the time of the
accident, had alcohol in his blood or that he was driving under the influence of a drug referred to in
section 185 he may require the person so driving the motor vehicle, to provide a specimen of his breath
for a breath test:—
(a) in the case of a person who is at a hospital as an indoor patient, at the hospital,
(b) in the case of any other person, either at or near the place where the requirement is made, or,
if the police officer thinks fit, at a police station specified by the police officer:
Provided that a person shall not be required to provide such a specimen while at a hospital as an
indoor patient if the registered medical practitioner in immediate charge of his case is not first notified of
the proposal to make the requirement or objects to the provision of a specimen on the ground that its
provision or the requirement to provide it would be prejudicial to the proper care or treatment of the
patient.
(3) If it appears to a police officer in uniform, in consequence of a breath test carried out by him on
any person under sub-section (1) or sub-section (2), that the device by means of which the test has been
carried out indicates the presence of alcohol in the person’s blood, the police officer may arrest that
person without warrant except while that person is at a hospital as an indoor patient.
(4) If a person, required by a police officer under sub-section (1) or sub-section (2) to provide a
specimen of breath for a breath test, refuses or fails to do so and the police officer has reasonable cause to
suspect him of having alcohol in his blood, the police officer may arrest him without warrant except while
he is at a hospital as an indoor patient.
(5) A person arrested under this section shall while at a police station, be given an opportunity to
provide a specimen of breath for a breath test there.
(6) The results of a breath test made in pursuance of the provisions of this section shall be admissible
in evidence.
Explanation.—For the purposes of this section, “breath test”, means a test for the purpose of
obtaining an indication of the presence of alcohol in a person’s blood carried out, on one or more
1. Subs. by Act 54 of 1994, s. 60, for sub-section (2) (w.e.f. 14-11-1994).
2. Subs. by s. 61, ibid., for sub-section (1) (w.e.f. 14-11-1994).
111
specimens of breath provided by that person, by means of a device of a type approved by the Central
Government, by notification in the Official Gazette, for the purpose of such a test.
204. Laboratory test.—(1) A person, who has been arrested under section 203 may, while at a police
station, be required by a police officer to provide to such registered medical practitioner as may be
produced by such police officer, a specimen of his blood for a Laboratory test,—
(a) it appears to the police officer that the device, by means of which breath test was taken in
relation to such person, indicates the presence of alcohol in the blood of such person, or
(b) such person, when given the opportunity to submit to a breath test, has refused, omitted or
failed to do so:
Provided that where the person required to provide such specimen is a female and the registered
medical practitioner produced by such police officer is a male medical practitioner, the specimen shall be
taken only in the presence of a female, whether a medical practitioner or not.
(2) A person while at a hospital as an indoor patient may be required by a police officer to provide at
the hospital a specimen of his blood for a laboratory test:—
(a) if it appears to the police officer that the device by means of which test is carried out in
relation to the breath of such person indicates the presence of alcohol in the blood of such person, or
(b) if the person having been required, whether at the hospital or elsewhere, to provide a
specimen of breath for a breath test, has refused, omitted or failed to do so and a police officer has
reasonable cause to suspect him of having alcohol in his blood:
Provided that a person shall not be required to provide a specimen of his blood for a laboratory test
under this sub-section if the registered medical practitioner in immediate charge of his case is not first
notified of the proposal to make the requirement or objects to the provision of such specimen on the
ground that its provision or the requirement to provide it would be prejudicial to the proper care or
treatment of the patient.
(3) The results of a laboratory test made in pursuance of this section shall be admissible in evidence.
Explanation.—For the purposes of this section, “laboratory test” means the analysis of a specimen of
blood made at a laboratory established, maintained or recognised by the Central Government or a State
Government.
205. Presumption of unfitness to drive.—In any proceeding for an offence punishable under
section 185 if it is proved that the accused, when requested by a police officer at any time so to do, had
refused, omitted or failed to consent to the taking of or providing a specimen of his breath for a breath test
or a specimen of his blood for a laboratory test, his refusal, omission or failure may, unless reasonable
cause therefor is shown, be presumed to be a circumstance supporting any evidence given on behalf of the
prosecution, or rebutting any evidence given on behalf of the defence, with respect to his condition at that
time.
206. Power of police officer to impound document.—(1) Any police officer or other person
authorised in this behalf by the State Government may, if he has reason to believe that any identification
mark carried on a motor vehicle or any licence, permit, certificate of registration, certificate of insurance
or other document produced to him by the driver or person in charge of a motor vehicle is a false
document within the meaning of section 464 of the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860), seize the mark or
document and call upon the driver or owner of the vehicle to account for his possession of or the presence
in the vehicle of such mark or document.
(2) Any police officer or other person authorised in this behalf by the State Government may, if he
has reason to believe that the driver of a motor vehicle who is charged with any offence under this Act
may abscond or otherwise avoid the service of a summons, seize any licence held by such driver and
forward it to the Court taking cognizance of the offence and the said Court shall on the first appearance of
112
such driver before it, return the licence to him in exchange for the temporary acknowledgment given
under sub-section (3).
(3) A police officer or other person seizing a licence under sub-section (2) shall give to the person
surrendering the licence a temporary acknowledgment therefor and such acknowledgment shall authorise
the holder to drive until the licence has been returned to him or until such date as may be specified by the
police officer or other person in the acknowledgment, whichever is earlier:
Provided that if any magistrate, police officer or other person authorised by the State Government in
this behalf is, on an application made to him, satisfied that the licence cannot be, or has not been, returned
to the holder thereof before the date specified in the acknowledgment for any reason for which the holder
is not responsible, the magistrate, police officer or other person, as the case may be, may extend the
period of authorization to drive to such date as may be specified in the acknowledgment.
1[(4) A police officer or other person authorised in this behalf by the State Government shall, if he has
reason to believe that the driver of a motor vehicle has committed an offence under any of sections 183,
184, 185, 189, 190, 194C, 194D, or 194E, seize the driving licence held by such driver and forward it to
the licensing authority for disqualification or revocation proceedings under section 19:
Provided that the person seizing the licence shall give to the person surrendering the licence a
temporary acknowledgement therefor, but such acknowledgement shall not authorise the holder
to drive until the licence has been returned to him.]
207. Power to detain vehicles used without certificate of registration permit, etc.—(1) Any police
officer or other person authorised in this behalf by the State Government may, if he has reason to believe
that a motor vehicle has been or is being used in contravention of the provisions of section 3 or section 4
or section 39 or without the permit required by sub-section (1) of section 66 or in contravention of any
condition of such permit relating to the route on which or the area in which or the purpose for which the
vehicle may be used, seize and detain the vehicle, in the prescribed manner and for this purpose take or
cause to be taken any steps he may consider proper for the temporary safe custody of the vehicle:
Provided that where any such officer or person has reason to believe that a motor vehicle has been or
is being used in contravention of section 3 or section 4 or without the permit required by sub-section (1)
of section 66 he may, instead of seizing the vehicle, seize the certificate of registration of the vehicle and
shall issue an acknowledgment in respect thereof.
(2) Where a motor vehicle has been seized and detained under sub-section (1), the owner or person in
charge of the motor vehicle may apply to the transport authority or any officer authorised in this behalf by
the State Government together with the relevant documents for the release of the vehicle and such
authority or officer may, after verification of such documents, by order release the vehicle subject to such
conditions as the authority or officer may deem fit to impose.
STATE AMENDMENT
Rajasthan
Amendment of Section 207, Central Act 59 of 1988.—In the proviso to sub-section (1) of
Section 207 of the principal Act, the expression “or without the permit required by sub- section (1) of
Section 66” as occurring between the expression “Section 3 or section 4” and the expression “he may”
shall be deleted.
[Vide Rajasthan Act 2 of 1993, s. 3].
208. Summary disposal of cases.—(1) The Court taking cognizance of any offence (other than an
offence which the Central Government may by rules specify in this behalf) under this Act,—
(i) may, if the offence is an offence punishable with imprisonment under this Act; and
(ii) shall, in any other case,
1. Ins. by Act 32 of 2019, s. 88 (w.e.f. 1-10-2020).
113
state upon the summons to be served on the accused person that he—
(a) may appear by pleader or in person; or
(b) may, by a specified date prior to the hearing of the charge, plead guilty to the charge and remit
to the Court, by money order, such sum (not exceeding the maximum fine that may be imposed for
the offence) as the Court may specify, and the plea of guilt indicated in the money order coupon
itself:
Provided that the Court shall, in the case of any of the offences referred to in sub-section (2), state
upon the summons that the accused person, if he pleads guilty, shall so plead in the manner specified in
clause (b) and shall forward his driving licence to the Court with his letter containing such plea.
(2) Where the offence dealt with in accordance with sub-section (1) is an offence specified by the
Central Government by rules for the purposes of this sub-section, the Court shall, if the accused person
pleads guilty to the charge and forward his driving licence to the Court with the letter containing his plea,
make an endorsement of such conviction on his driving licence.
(3) Where an accused person pleads guilty and remits the sum specified and has complied with the
provisions of sub-section (1), or as the case may be, sub-sections (1) and (2), no further proceedings in
respect of the offence shall be taken against him nor shall he be liable, notwithstanding anything to the
contrary contained in this Act, to be disqualified for holding or obtaining a licence by reason of his having
pleaded guilty.
209. Restriction on conviction.—No person prosecuted for an offence punishable under section 183
or section 184 shall be convicted unless—
(a) he was warned at the time the offence was committed that the question of prosecuting him
would be taken into consideration, or
(b) within fourteen days from the commission of the offence, a notice specifying the nature of the
offence and the time and place where it is alleged to have been committed was served on or sent by
registered post to him or the person registered as the owner of the vehicle at the time of the
commission of the offence, or
(c) within twenty-eight days of the commission of the offence, a summons for the offence was
served on him:
Provided that nothing, in this section shall apply where the Court is satisfied that—
(a) the failure to serve the notice or summons referred to in this sub-section was due to the fact
that neither the name and address of the accused nor the name and address of the registered owner of
the vehicle could with reasonable diligence have been ascertained in time, or
(b) such failure was brought about by the conduct of the accused.
210. Courts to send intimation about conviction.—Every Court by which any person holding a
driving licence is convicted of an offence under this Act or of an offence in the commission of which a
motor vehicle was used, shall send intimation to—
(a) the licensing authority which issued the driving licence, and
(b) the licensing authority by whom the licence was last renewed,
and every such intimation shall state the name and address of the holder of the licence, the licence
number, the date of issue and renewal of the same, the nature of the offence, the punishment awarded for
the same and such other particulars as may be prescribed.
1[210A. Power of State Government to increase penalties.—Subject to conditions made by the
Central Government, a State Government, shall, by notification in the Official Gazette, specify a
multiplier, not less than one and not greater than ten, to be applied to each fine under this Act and such
1. Ins. by Act 32 of 2019, s. 89 (w.e.f. 1-9-2019).
114
modified fine, shall be in force in such State and different multipliers may be applied to different classes
of motor vehicles as may be classified by the State Government for the purpose of this section.
210B. Penalty for offence committed by an enforcing authority.—Any authority that is
empowered to enforce the provisions of this Act shall, if such authority commits an offence under this
Act, shall be liable for twice the penalty corresponding to that offence under this Act.
210C. Power of Central Government to make rules.—The Central Government may make rules
for—
(a) design, construction and maintenance standards for National highways;
(b) such other factors as may be taken into account by the Court under sub-section (3) of
section 198A;
(c) any other matter which is, or has to be, prescribed by the Central Government.
210D. Power of State Government to make rules.—The State Government may make rules for
design, construction and maintenance standards for roads other than national highways, and for any other
matter which is, or may be, prescribed by the State Government.]
CHAPTER XIV
MISCELLANEOUS
211. Power to levy fee.—Any rule which the Central Government or the State Government is
empowered to make under this Act may, notwithstanding the absence of any express provision to that
effect, provide for the levy of such fees in respect of applications, amendment of documents, issue of
certificates, licences, permits, tests, endorsements, badges, plates, countersignatures, authorisation, supply
of statistics or copies of documents or orders and for any other purpose or matter involving the rendering
of any service by the officers or authorities under this Act or any rule made thereunder as may be
considered necessary:
Provided that the Government may, if it considers necessary so to do, in the public interest, by
general or special order, exempt any class of persons from the payment of any such fee either in part or in
full.
1[211A. Use of electronic forms and documents.—(1) Where any provision of this Act or the rules
and regulations made there under provide for—
(a) the filing of any form, application or any other document with any office, authority, body or
agency owned or controlled by the Central Government or the State Government in a particular
manner;
(b) the issue or grant of any licence, permit, sanction, approval or endorsement, by whatever name
called in a particular manner; or
(c) the receipt or payment of money in a particular manner,
then notwithstanding anything contained in such provision, such requirement shall be deemed to have
been satisfied if such filing, issue, grant, receipt or payment, as the case may be, is effected by means of
such electronic form as may be prescribed by the Central Government or the State Government, as the
case may be.
(2) The Central Government or the State Government shall, for the purpose of sub-section (1),
prescribe—
(a) the manner and format in which such electronic forms and documents shall be filed, created or
issued; and
(b) the manner or method of payment of any fee or charges for filing, creation or issue of any
electronic document under clause (a).]
212. Publication, commencement and laying of rules and notifications.—(1) The power to make
rules under this Act is subject to the condition of the rules being made after previous publication.
1. Ins. by Act 32 of 2019, s. 90 (w.e.f. 1-10-2020).
115
(2) All rules made under this Act shall be published in the Official Gazette, and shall unless some
later date is appointed, come into force on the date of such publication.
(3) Every rule made by any State Government shall be laid, as soon as may be after it is made before
the State Legislature.
(4) Every rule made by the Central Government under this Act, every scheme made by the Central
Government under sub-section (1) of section 75 and sub-section (1) of section 163 and every notification
issued by the Central Government under sub-section (4) of section 41, sub-section (1) of section 58,
sub-section (1) of section 59, the proviso to sub-section (1) of section 112, 1[section 118] 2[sub-section (4)
of section 163A] 3[section 164, section 177A] and sub-section (4) of section 213 shall be laid, as soon as
may be after it is made, before each House of Parliament while it is in session for a total period of thirty
days which may be comprised in one session or in two or more successive sessions, and if, before the
expiry of the session immediately following the session or the successive sessions aforesaid, both Houses
agree in making any modification in the rule, scheme or notification or both Houses agree that the rule or
scheme should not be made or the notification should not be issued, the rule, scheme or notification shall
thereafter have effect only in such modified form or be of no effect, as the case may be; so, however, that
any such modification or annulment shall be without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done
under that rule, scheme or notification.
1[(5) Every notification issued by the State Government under section 210A shall be laid, as soon as
may be after it is made, before each House of the State Legislature where it consists of two Houses, or
where such Legislature consists of one House, before that House, while it is in session for a total period of
thirty days which may be comprised in one session or in two or more successive sessions, and if, before
the expiry of the session immediately following the session or the successive sessions aforesaid, the
House agrees or both Houses agree, as the case may be, in making any modification in the notification or
the House agrees or both Houses agree, as the case may be, that the notification should not be issued, the
notification shall thereafter have effect only in such modified form or be of no effect as the case may be;
so, however, that any such modification or annulment shall be without prejudice to the validity of
anything previously done under that notification.]
213. Appointment of motor vehicles officers.—(1) The State Government may, for the purpose of
carrying into effect the provisions of this Act, establish a Motor Vehicles Department and appoint as
officers thereof such persons as it thinks fit.
(2) Every such officer shall be deemed to be a public servant within the meaning of the Indian Penal
Code (45 of 1860).
(3) The State Government may make rules to regulate the discharge by officers of the Motor Vehicles
Department of their functions and in particular and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing
power to prescribe the uniform to be worn by them, the authorities to which they shall be subordinate, the
duties to be performed by them, the powers (including the powers exercisable by police officers under
this Act) to be exercised by them, and the conditions governing the exercise of such powers.
(4) The Central Government may, having regard to the objects of the Act, by notification in the
Official Gazette, prescribe the minimum qualifications which the said officers or any class thereof shall
possess for being appointed as such.
(5) In addition to the powers that may be conferred on any officer of the Motor Vehicles Department
under sub-section (3), such officer as may be empowered by the State Government in this behalf shall
also have the power to,—
(a) make such examination and inquiry as he thinks fit in order to ascertain whether the
provisions of this Act and the rules made thereunder are being observed;
1. Ins. by Act 32 of 2019, s. 91 (w.e.f. 1-9-2019).
2. Ins. by Act 54 of 1994, s. 62 (w.e.f. 14-11-1994).
3. Ins. by Act 32 of 2019, s. 91 (w.e.f. 1-10-2020).
116
(b) with such assistance, if any, as he thinks fit, enter, inspect and search any premises which is in
the occupation of a person who, he has reason to believe, has committed an offence under this Act or
in which a motor vehicle in respect of which such offence has been committed is kept:
Provided that,—
(i) any such search without a warrant shall be made only by an officer of the rank of a
gazetted officer;
(ii) where the offence is punishable with fine only the search shall not be made after sunset
and before sunrise;
(iii) where the search is made without a warrant, the gazetted officer concerned shall record
in writing the grounds for not obtaining a warrant and report to his immediate superior that such
search has been made;
(c) examine any person and require the production of any register or other document maintained
in pursuance of this Act, and take on the spot or otherwise statements of any person which he may
consider necessary for carrying out the purposes of this Act;
(d) seize or take copies of any registers or documents or portions thereof as he may consider
relevant in respect of an offence under this Act which he has reason to believe has been committed;
(e) launch prosecutions in respect of any offence under this Act and to take a bond for ensuring
the attendance of the offender before any court;
(f) exercise such other powers as may be prescribed:
Provided that no person shall be compelled under this sub-section to answer any question or make
any statement tending to incriminate himself.
(6) The provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974) shall, so far as may be apply
to any search or seizure under this section as they apply to any search or seizure under the authority of
any warrant issued under section 94 of that Code.
214. Effect of appeal and revision on orders passed by original authority.—(1) Where an appeal
has been preferred or an application for revision has been made against any order passed by an original
authority under this Act, the appeal or the application for revision shall not operate as a stay of the order
passed by the original authority and such order shall remain in force pending the disposal of the appeal or
the application for revision, as the case may be, unless the prescribed appellate authority or revisional
authority otherwise directs.
(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), if an application made by a person for the
renewal of permit has been rejected by the original authority and such person has preferred an appeal or
made an application for revision under this Act against such rejection, the appellate authority or, as the
case may be, the revisional authority may by order direct that the permit shall, notwithstanding the
expiration of the term specified therein, continue to be valid until the appeal or application for revision is
disposed of.
(3) No order made by a competent authority under this Act shall be reversed or altered on appeal or
revision on account of any error, omission or irregularity in the proceedings, unless it appears to the
prescribed appellate authority or revisional authority, as the case may be, that such error, omission or
irregularity has, in fact, occasioned a failure of justice.
215. Road Safety Councils and Committees.—(1) The Central Government may, by notification in
the Official Gazette, constitute for the country a National Road Safety Council consisting of a Chairman
and such other members as that Government considers necessary and on such terms and conditions as that
Government may determine.
(2) A State Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, constitute for the State a State
Road Safety Council consisting of a Chairman and such other members as that Government considers
necessary and on such terms and conditions as that Government may determine.
117
(3) A State Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, constitute District Road Safety
Committee for each district in the State consisting of a Chairman and such other members as that
Government considers necessary and on such terms and conditions as that Government may determine.
1[Provided that where a State Government has not constituted the District Road Safety Committee,
the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, constitute a Committee for such
District, consisting of a Chairman and such other members as it considers necessary and on such terms
and conditions as it may determine.]
(4) The Councils and Committees referred to in this section shall discharge such functions relating to
the road safety programmes as the Central Government or the State Government, as the case may be,
may, having regard to the objects of the Act, specify.
2[215A. Power of Central Government and State Government to delegate.—Notwithstanding
anything contained in this Act,—
(a) the Central Government shall have the power to delegate any power or functions that have
been conferred upon it by the Act to any public servant or public authority and authorise such public
servant or public authority to discharge any of its powers, functions and duties under this Act;
(b) the State Government shall have the power to delegate any power or functions that have been
conferred upon it by the Act to any public servant or public authority and authorise such public
servant or public authority to discharge any of its powers, functions and duties under this Act.
215B. National Road Safety Board.—(1) The Central Government shall, by notification in the
Official Gazette, constitute a National Road Safety Board consisting of a Chairman, such number of
representatives from the State Governments, and such other members as it may consider necessary and on
such terms and conditions as may be prescribed by the Central Government.
(2) The National Board shall render advice to the Central Government or State Government, as the
case may be, on all aspects pertaining to road safety and traffic management including, but not limited
to,—
(a) the standards of design, weight, construction, manufacturing process, operation and
maintenance of motor vehicles and of safety equipment;
(b) the registration and licensing of motor vehicles;
(c) the formulation of standards for road safety, road infrastructure and control of traffic;
(d) the facilitation of safe and sustainable utilisation of road transport ecosystem;
(e) the promotion of new vehicle technology;
(f) the safety of vulnerable road users;
(g) programmes for educating and sensitising drivers and other road users; and
(h) such other functions as may be prescribed by the Central Government from time to time.
215C. Power of Central Government to make rules.—(1) The Central Government may make
rules for the purposes of carrying into effect the provisions of this Chapter.
(2) Without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing power, such rules may provide for—
(a) the use of electronic forms and means for the filing of documents, issue or grant of licence,
permit, sanction, approval or endorsements and the receipt or payment of money as referred to in
section 211A;
(b) the minimum qualifications which the Motor Vehicles Department officers or any class
thereof shall be required to possess for appointment as such, as referred to in sub-section (4) of
section 213;
(c) the terms and conditions of appointment of Chairman and Members of the National Road
Safety Board under sub-section (1) of section 215B;
(d) the other functions of the National Road Safety Board under sub-section (2) of section 215B;
and
1. Ins. by Act 18 of 2023, s. 2 and Sch. (w.e.f. 13-01-2025).
2. Ins. by Act 32 of 2019, s. 92 (w.e.f. 1-9-2019).
118
(e) any other matter which is to be, or may be, prescribed, or in respect of which provision is to
be made by rules by the Central Government.
215D. Power of State Government to make rules.—(1) The State Government may make rules for
the purposes of carrying into effect, the provisions of this Chapter, other than the matters specified in
section 215C.
(2) Without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing power, such rules may provide for—
(a) the use of electronic forms and means for the filing of documents, issue or grant of licence,
permit, sanction, approval or endorsements and the receipt or payment of money as referred to in
section 211A;
(b) the duties and functions of the officers of the Motor Vehicle Department, the powers to be
exercised by such officers (including the powers exercisable by police officers under this Act) and the
conditions governing the exercise of such powers, the uniform to be worn by them, the authorities to
which they shall be subordinate as referred to in sub-section (3) of section 213;
(c) such other powers as may be exercised by officers of the Motor Vehicles Department as
referred to in clause (f) of sub-section (5) of section 213; and
(d) any other matter which is to be, or may be, prescribed, or in respect of which provision is to
be made by rules by the State Government.]
216. Power to remove difficulties.—(1) If any difficulty arises in giving effect to the provisions of
this Act, the Central Government may, by order published in the Official Gazette, make such provisions,
not inconsistent with the provisions of this Act as appear to it to be necessary or expedient for removing
the difficulty:
Provided that no such order shall be made after the expiry of a period of three years from the date of
commencement of this Act.
(2) Every order made under this section shall, as soon as may be after it is made, be laid before each
House of Parliament.
217. Repeal and savings.—(1) The Motor Vehicles Act, 1939 (4 of 1939) and any law corresponding
to that Act in force in any State immediately before the commencement of this Act in that State (hereafter
in this section referred to as the repealed enactments) are hereby repealed.
(2) Notwithstanding the repeal by sub-section (1) of the repealed enactments,—
(a) any notification, rule, regulation, order or notice issued, or any appointment or declaration
made, or exemption granted, or any confiscation made, or any penalty or fine imposed, any forfeiture,
cancellation or any other thing done, or any other action taken under the repealed enactments, and in
force immediately before such commencement shall, so far as it is not inconsistent with the
provisions of this Act, be deemed to have been issued, made, granted, done or taken under the
corresponding provision of this Act;
(b) any certificate of fitness or registration or licence or permit issued or granted under the
repealed enactments shall continue to have effect after such commencement under the same
conditions and for the same period as if this Act had not been passed;
(c) any document referring to any of the repealed enactments or the provisions thereof, shall be
construed as referring to this Act or to the corresponding provision of this Act;
(d) the assignment of distinguishing marks by the registering authority and the manner of display
on motor vehicles in accordance with the provision of the repealed enactments shall, after the
commencement of this Act, continue to remain in force until a notification under sub-section (6) of
section 41 of this Act is issued;
(e) any scheme made under section 68C of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1939 (4 of 1939) or under the
corresponding law, if any, in force in any State and pending immediately before the commencement
of this Act shall be disposed of in accordance with the provisions of section 100 of this Act;
119
(f) the permits issued under sub-section (1A) of section 68F of the Motor Vehicles Act,
1939 (4 of 1939), or under the corresponding provision, if any, in force in any State immediately
before the commencement of this Act shall continue to remain in force until the approved scheme
under Chapter VI of this Act is published.
(3) Any penalty payable under any of the repealed enactments may be recovered in the manner
provided by or under this Act, but without prejudice to any action already taken for the recovery of such
penalty under the repealed enactments.
(4) The mention of particular matters in this section shall not be held to prejudice or affect the general
application of section 6 of the General Clauses Act, 1897 (10 of 1897), with regard to the effect of
repeals.
1[217A. Renewal of permits, driving licences and registration granted under the Motor Vehicles
Act, 1939.—Notwithstanding the repeal by sub-section (1) of section 217 of the enactments referred to in
that sub-section, any certificate of fitness or registration or licence or permit issued or granted under the
said enactments may be renewed under this Act.]
1. Ins. by Act 27 of 2000, s. 5 (w.e.f. 11-8-2000).
120
1[2[THE FIRST SCHEDULE]]
MANDATORY SIGNS OF SCHEDULE OF THE MOTOR VEHICLES ACT, 1988
1. Subs. by Notification No. S.O. 475(E) dated 1-7-1989.
2. The Schedule renumbered as the First Schedule thereof by Act 54 of 1994, s. 63 (w.e.f. 14-11-1994).
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
“Explanatory Notes”
(i) Normal size, wherever specified is the minimum size of the sign which is intended to be used in
rural areas on highways declared to be National Highways or State Highways under any law for the time
being in force in such rural areas,
(ii) The Small Size, wherever specified is the minimum size of the sign which is intended to be used—
(a) on all roads, other than the said National Highways and the State Highways, in the rural areas,
and
(b) in all roads within the urban areas:
Provided that sign of any appropriate size may be used on bollards or alongside traffic light signals on
such roads,
(iii) the colour scheme of these signs shall be as specified therein and the reverse side of all such sign
plates shall be painted grey,
(iv) the posts of all these signs shall be painted in 25 cms. wide bands, alternatively black and white
and the lowest band next to the ground shall be black,
(v) the definition plate, whenever specified with a sign or where required to make the meaning of a
sign more explicit shall have white background, black border 20 mm. wide and shall be of adequate size
for legibility but not too large as to be obtrusive.
173
1[THE SECOND SCHEDULE.—[Schedule for compensation for third party fatal accidents/injury cases
claims] Omitted by the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019 (32 of 2019), s. 93 (w.e.f. 1-4-2022).]
1. Subs. by S.O. 2022(E), for the Second Schedule (w.e.f. 22-5-2018).
javascript:OpenNotifications('MANU/RDTH/0257/2018')
174
STATEMENT OF OBJECTS AND REASONS
The Motor Vehicles Act, 1939 (4 of 1939), consolidates and amends the law relating to motor
vehicles. This has been amended several times to keep it up to date. The need was, however, felt that this
Act should, now inter aria, take into account also changes in the road transport technology, pattern of
passenger and freight movements, development of the road network in the country and particularly the
improve techniques in the motor vehicles management.
2. Various Committees like National Transport Policy Committee, National Police Commission, Road
Safety Committee, Low Powered Two-wheelers Committee, as also the Law Commission have gone into
different aspects of road transport. They have recommended updating, simplification and rationalization
of this law. Several Members of Parliament have also urged for comprehensive review of the Motor
Vehicles Act, 1939, to make it relevant to the modern-day requirements.
3. A Working Group was, therefore, constituted in January, 1984 to review all the provisions of the
Motor Vehicles Act, 1939 and to submit draft proposals for a comprehensive legislation to replace the
existing Act. This Working Group took into account the suggestions and recommendations earlier made
by various bodies and institutions like Central Institute of Road Transport Automotive Research
Association of India, and other transport organisations including the manufacturers and the general
public. Besides obtaining comments of State Governments on the recommendations of the Working
Group, these were discussed in a specially convened meeting of Transport Ministers of all States and
Union territories. Some of the more important modifications so suggested related for taking care of-
(a) the fast increasing number of both commercial vehicles and personal vehicles in the country;
(b) the need for encouraging adoption of higher technology in automotive sector;
(c) the greater flow of passenger and freight with the least impediments so that islands of isolations
are not created leading to regional or local imbalances;
(d) concern for road safety standards, and pollution-control measures, standards for transportation
of hazardous and explosive materials;
(e) simplification of procedure and policy liberalizations for private sector operations in the road
transport field; and
(f) need for effective ways of tracking down traffic offenders.
4. The Supreme Court in M. K. Kunhimohammed vs. P. A. Ahmedkutty, A.I.R. 1937 S.C. page 2158,
has made certain suggestions to raise the limit of compensation payable as a result of motor accidents is
respect of death and permanent disablement in the event of there being no proof of fault on the part of the
person involved in the accident and also in hit and run motor accidents and remove certain disparities in
the liability of the insurer to pay compensation depending upon the class or type of vehicles involved in
the accident. The above suggestions made by the Supreme Court have been incorporated in the Bill.
5. The proposed legislation has been prepared in the light of the above background. Some of the more
important provisions of the Bill provide for the following matters, namely:—
(a) rationalization of certain definitions with additions of certain new definitions of new types of
vehicles:
(b) stricter procedures relating to grant of driving licences and the period of validity thereof;
(c) laying down of standards for the components and parts of motor vehicles;
(d) standards for anti-pollution control devices;
(e) provision for issuing fitness certificates of vehicles also by the authorised testing stations;
(f) enabling provision for updating the system of registration marks;
(g) liberalised schemes for grant of stage carriage permits on non-nationalised routes, all-India
Tourist permits and also national permits for goods carriages;
(h) administration of the Solatium Scheme by the General Insurance Corporation;
175
(i) Provision for enhanced compensation in cases of “no fault liability” and in hit and run motor
accidents;
(j) provision for payment of compensation by the insurer to the extent of actual liability to the
victims of motor accidents irrespective of the class of vehicles;
(k) maintenance of State registers for driving licences and vehicle registration:
(l) constitution of Road Safety Councils.
6. The Bill also seeks to provide for more deterrent punishment in the cases of certain offences.
7. The Notes on clauses explain the provisions of the Bill.
8. The Bill seeks achieve the above objectives.
RAJESH PILOT.
NEW DELHI;
The 9th May, 1988.
Open official source version ↗About this act
- Jurisdiction
- Central
- Enactment date
- 1988-10-14
- Sections available
- 257
Commencement information from the source
01-07-1989
Read the sections
1Short title, extent and commencement.→2Definitions.→2Ae-cart and e-rickshaw.→2BPromotion of innovation→3Necessity for driving licence.→4Age limit in connection with driving of motor vehicles.→5Responsibility of owners of motor vehicles for contravention of sections 3 and 4.→6Restrictions on the holding of driving licences.→7Restrictions on the granting of learner's licences for certain vehicles.→8Grant of learner's licence.→9Grant of driving licence.→10Form and contents of licences to drive.→11Additions to driving licence.→12Licensing and regulation of schools or establishments for imparting instruction in driving of motor vehicles.→13Extent of effectiveness of licences, to drive motor vehicles.→14Currency of licences to drive motor vehicles.→15Renewal of driving licences.→16Revocation of driving licence on grounds of disease or disability.→17Orders refusing or revoking driving licences and appeals therefrom.→18Driving Licences to drive motor vehicles, belonging to the Central Government.→19Power of licensing authority to disqualify from holding a driving licence or revoke such licence.→20Power of Court to disqualify.→21Suspension of driving licence in certain cases.→22Suspension or cancellation of driving licence on conviction.→23Effect of disqualification order.→24Endorsement.→25Transfer of endorsement and issue of driving licence free from endorsement.→25ANational Register of Driving Licences.→26Maintenance of State Registers of Driving Licences.→27Power of Central Government to make rules.→28Power of State Government to make rules.→29Necessity for conductor's licence.→30Grant of conductor's licence.→31Disqualifications for the grant of conductor's licence.→32Revocation of a conductor's licence on grounds of disease or disability.→33Orders refusing, etc, conductor's licences and appeals therefrom.→34Power of licensing authority to disqualify.→35Power of Court to disqualify.→36Certain provisions of Chapter II to apply to conductor's licence.→37Savings.→38Power of State Government to make rules.→39Necessity for registration.→40Registration, where to be made.→41Registration, how to be made.→42Special provision for registration of motor vehicles of diplomatic officers, etc.→43Temporary registration.→44Production of vehicle at the time of registration.→45Refusal of registration or renewal of the certificate of registration.→46Effectiveness in India of registration.→47Assignment of new registration mark on removal to another State.→48No objection certificate.→49Change of residence or place of business.→50Transfer of ownership.→51Special provisions regarding motor vehicle subject to hire-purchase agreement, etc.→52Alteration in motor vehicle.→53Suspension of registration.→54Cancellation of registration suspended under section 53.→55Cancellation of registration.→56Certificate of fitness of transport vehicles.→57Appeals.→58Special provisions in regard to transport vehicles.→59Power to fix the age limit of motor vehicle.→60Registration of vehicles belonging to the Central Government.→61Application of Chapter to trailers.→62Information regarding stolen and recovered motor vehicles to be furnished by the police to the State Transport Authority.→62AProhibition of registration and issuance of certificate of fitness to oversized vehicles.→62BNational Register of Motor Vehicles.→63Maintenance of State Registers of Motor Vehicles.→64Power of Central Government to make rules.→65Power of State Government to make rules.→66Necessity for permits.→66ANational Transportation Policy.→66BNo bar against permit holders to apply and hold licences under schemes.→67Power to State Government to control road transport.→68Transport Authorities.→69General provision as to applications for permits.→70Application for stage carriage permit.→71Procedure of Regional Transport Authority in considering application for stage carriage permit.→72Grant of stage carriage permits.→73Application for contract carriage permit.→74Grant of contract carriage permit.→75Scheme for renting of motor cabs.→76Application for private service vehicle permit.→77Application for goods carriage permit.→78Consideration of application for goods carriage permit.→79Grant of goods carriage permit.→80Procedure in applying for and granting permits.→81Duration and renewal of permits.→82Transfer of permit.→83Replacement of vehicles.→84General conditions attaching to all permits.→85General form of permits.→86Cancellation and suspension of permits.→87Temporary permits.→88Validation of permits for use outside region in which granted.→88APower of Central Government to make schemes for national, multimodal and inter-State transport of passengers and goods.→89Appeals.→90Revision.→91Restriction of hours of work of drivers.→92Voidance of contracts restrictive of liability.→93Agent or canvasser or aggregator to obtain licence.→94Bar on jurisdiction of Civil Courts.→95Power of State Government to make rules as to stage carriages and contract carriages.→96Power of State Government to make rules for the purposes of this Chapter.→97Definition.→98Chapter to override Chapter V and other laws.→99Preparation and publication of proposal regarding road transport service of a State transport undertaking.→100Objection to the proposal.→101Operation of additional services by a State transport undertaking in certain circumstances.→102Cancellation or modification of scheme.→103Issue of permits to State transport undertakings.→104Restriction on grant of permits in respect of a notified area or notified route.→105Principles and method of determining compensation and payment thereof.→106Disposal of article found in vehicles.→107Power of State Government to make rules.→108Certain powers of State Government exercisable by the Central Government.→109General provision regarding construction and maintenance of vehicles.→110Power of Central Government to make rules.→110ARecall of motor vehicles.→110BType of approval certificate and testing agencies.→111Power of State Government to make rules.→112Limits of speed.→113Limits of weight and limitations on use.→114Power to have vehicle weighed.→115Power to restrict the use of vehicles.→116Power to erect traffic signs.→117Parking places and halting stations.→118Driving regulations.→119Duty to obey traffic signs.→120Vehicles with left hand control.→121Signals and signalling devices.→122Leaving vehicle in dangerous position.→123Riding on running board, etc.→124Prohibition against travelling without pass or ticket.→125Obstruction of driver.→126Stationary vehicles.→127Removal of motor vehicles abandoned or left unattended on a public place.→128Safety measures for drivers and pillion riders.→129Wearing of protective headgear.→130Duty to produce licence and certificate of registration.→131Duty of the driver to take certain precautions at unguarded railway level crossing.→132Duty of driver to stop in certain cases.→133Duty of owner of motor vehicle to give information.→134Duty of driver in case of accident and injury to a person.→134AProtection of Good Samaritans.→135Schemes to be framed for the investigation of accident cases and wayside amenities, etc.→136Inspection of vehicle involved in accident.→136AElectronic monitoring and enforcement of road safety.→137Power of Central Government to make rules.→138Power of State Government to make rules.→139Power of Central Government to make rules.→140Omitted.→141Omitted.→142Omitted.→143Omitted.→144Omitted.→145Definitions.→146Necessity for insurance against third party risk.→147Requirements of policies and limits of liability.→148Validity of policies of insurance issued in reciprocating countries.→149Settlement by insurance company and procedure therefor.→150Duty of insurers to satisfy judgments and awards against persons insured in respect of third party risks→151Rights of third party against insurers on insolvency of insured→152Duty to give information as to insurance.→153Settlement between insurers and insured persons.→154Saving in respect of sections 151, 152 and 153.→155Effect of death on certain causes of action.→156Effect of certificate of insurance.→157Transfer of certificate of insurance.→158Production of certain certificates, licence and permit in certain cases.→159Information to be given regarding accident.→160Duty to furnish particulars of vehicle involved in accident.→161Special provisions as to compensation in case of hit and run motor accident.→162Scheme for golden hour.→163Refund in certain cases of compensation paid under section 161.→164Payment of compensation in case of death or grevious hurt, etc.→164AScheme for interim relief for claimants→164BMotor Vehicle Accident Fund→164CPower of Central Government to make rules.→164DPower of State Government to make rules.→165Claims Tribunals.→166Application for compensation.→167Option regarding claims for compensation in certain cases.→168Award of the Claims Tribunal.→169Procedure and powers of Claims Tribunals.→170Impleading insurer in certain cases.→171Award of interest where any claim is allowed.→172Award of compensatory costs in certain cases.→173Appeals.→174Recovery of money from insurer as arrear of land revenue.→175Bar on jurisdiction of Civil Courts.→176Power of State Government to make rules.→177General provision for punishment of offences.→177APenalty for contravention of regulations under section 118.→178Penalty for travelling without pass or ticket and for dereliction of duty on the part of conductor and refusal to ply contract carriage, etc.→179Disobedience of orders, obstruction and refusal of information.→180Allowing unauthorised persons to drive vehicles.→181Driving vehicles in contravention of section 3 or section 4.→182Offences relating to licences.→182APunishment for offences relating to construction, maintenance, sale and alteration of motor vehicles and components.→182BPunishment for contravention of section 62A.→183Driving at excessive speed, etc.→184Driving dangerously.→185Driving by a drunken person or by a person under the influence of drugs.→186Driving when mentally or phycically unfit to drive.→187Punishment for offences relating to accident.→188Punishment for abetment of certain offences.→189Racing and trials of speed.→190Using vehicle in unsafe condition.→191Omitted.→192Using vehicle without registration.→192AUsing vehicle without permit.→192BOffences relating to registration.→193Punishment of agents, canvassers and aggregators without proper authority.→194Driving vehicle exceeding permissible weight.→194ACarriage of excess passengers.→194BUse of safety belts and the seating of children.→194CPenalty for violation of safety measures for motor cycle drivers and pillion riders.→194DPenalty for not wearing protective headgear→194EFailure to allow free passage to emergency vehicles.→194FUse of horns and silence zones.→195Omitted.→196Driving uninsured vehicle.→197Taking vehicle without authority.→198Unauthorised interference with vehicle.→198AFailure to comply with standards for road design, construction and maintenance.→199Offences by companies.→199AOffences by juveniles.→199BRevision of fines.→200Composition of certain offences.→201Penalty for causing obstruction to free flow of traffic.→202Power to arrest without warrant.→203Breath tests.→204Laboratory test.→205Presumption of unfitness to drive.→206Power of police officer to impound document.→207Power to detain vehicles used without certificate of registration permit, etc.→208Summary disposal of cases.→209Restriction on conviction.→210Courts to send intimation about conviction.→210APower of State Government to increase penalties.→210BPenalty for offence committed by an enforcing authority→210CPower of Central Government to make rules.→210DPower of State Government to make rules.→211Power to levy fee.→211AUse of electronic forms and documents.→212Publication, commencement and laying of rules and notifications.→213Appointment of motor vehicles officers.→214Effect of appeal and revision on orders passed by original authority.→215Road Safety Councils and Committees.→215APower of Central Government and State Government to delegate.→215BNational Road Safety Board→215CPower of Central Government to make rules.→215DPower of State Government to make rules.→216Power to remove difficulties.→217Repeal and savings.→217ARenewal of permits, driving licences and registration granted under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1939.→
Schedules
India Code, Government of India. Text fetched 10 Oct 2026. Source metadata reports last modification: 2025-11-07. Check the linked official text and subsequent notifications when applying a provision.