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The Motor Vehicles Act, 1988

Central

An Act to consolidate and amend the law relating to motor vehicles.

Act number
59 of 1988
Ministry
Ministry of Road Transport and Highways
Enacted
14 Oct 1988

Source: IndiaCode Portal, Legislative Department, Ministry of Law and Justice, Government of India. Open on India Code Check against the official text before relying on it.

257 sections

  1. Section 1Short title, extent and commencement.
  2. Section 2Definitions.
  3. Section 2Ae-cart and e-rickshaw.
  4. Section 2BPromotion of innovation
  5. Section 3Necessity for driving licence.
  6. Section 4Age limit in connection with driving of motor vehicles.
  7. Section 5Responsibility of owners of motor vehicles for contravention of sections 3 and 4.
  8. Section 6Restrictions on the holding of driving licences.
  9. Section 7Restrictions on the granting of learner's licences for certain vehicles.
  10. Section 8Grant of learner's licence.
  11. Section 9Grant of driving licence.
  12. Section 10Form and contents of licences to drive.
  13. Section 11Additions to driving licence.
  14. Section 12Licensing and regulation of schools or establishments for imparting instruction in driving of motor vehicles.
  15. Section 13Extent of effectiveness of licences, to drive motor vehicles.
  16. Section 14Currency of licences to drive motor vehicles.
  17. Section 15Renewal of driving licences.
  18. Section 16Revocation of driving licence on grounds of disease or disability.
  19. Section 17Orders refusing or revoking driving licences and appeals therefrom.
  20. Section 18Driving Licences to drive motor vehicles, belonging to the Central Government.
  21. Section 19Power of licensing authority to disqualify from holding a driving licence or revoke such licence.
  22. Section 20Power of Court to disqualify.
  23. Section 21Suspension of driving licence in certain cases.
  24. Section 22Suspension or cancellation of driving licence on conviction.
  25. Section 23Effect of disqualification order.
  26. Section 24Endorsement.
  27. Section 25Transfer of endorsement and issue of driving licence free from endorsement.
  28. Section 25ANational Register of Driving Licences.
  29. Section 26Maintenance of State Registers of Driving Licences.
  30. Section 27Power of Central Government to make rules.
  31. Section 28Power of State Government to make rules.
  32. Section 29Necessity for conductor's licence.
  33. Section 30Grant of conductor's licence.
  34. Section 31Disqualifications for the grant of conductor's licence.
  35. Section 32Revocation of a conductor's licence on grounds of disease or disability.
  36. Section 33Orders refusing, etc, conductor's licences and appeals therefrom.
  37. Section 34Power of licensing authority to disqualify.
  38. Section 35Power of Court to disqualify.
  39. Section 36Certain provisions of Chapter II to apply to conductor's licence.
  40. Section 37Savings.
  41. Section 38Power of State Government to make rules.
  42. Section 39Necessity for registration.
  43. Section 40Registration, where to be made.
  44. Section 41Registration, how to be made.
  45. Section 42Special provision for registration of motor vehicles of diplomatic officers, etc.
  46. Section 43Temporary registration.
  47. Section 44Production of vehicle at the time of registration.
  48. Section 45Refusal of registration or renewal of the certificate of registration.
  49. Section 46Effectiveness in India of registration.
  50. Section 47Assignment of new registration mark on removal to another State.
  51. Section 48No objection certificate.
  52. Section 49Change of residence or place of business.
  53. Section 50Transfer of ownership.
  54. Section 51Special provisions regarding motor vehicle subject to hire-purchase agreement, etc.
  55. Section 52Alteration in motor vehicle.
  56. Section 53Suspension of registration.
  57. Section 54Cancellation of registration suspended under section 53.
  58. Section 55Cancellation of registration.
  59. Section 56Certificate of fitness of transport vehicles.
  60. Section 57Appeals.
  61. Section 58Special provisions in regard to transport vehicles.
  62. Section 59Power to fix the age limit of motor vehicle.
  63. Section 60Registration of vehicles belonging to the Central Government.
  64. Section 61Application of Chapter to trailers.
  65. Section 62Information regarding stolen and recovered motor vehicles to be furnished by the police to the State Transport Authority.
  66. Section 62AProhibition of registration and issuance of certificate of fitness to oversized vehicles.
  67. Section 62BNational Register of Motor Vehicles.
  68. Section 63Maintenance of State Registers of Motor Vehicles.
  69. Section 64Power of Central Government to make rules.
  70. Section 65Power of State Government to make rules.
  71. Section 66Necessity for permits.
  72. Section 66ANational Transportation Policy.
  73. Section 66BNo bar against permit holders to apply and hold licences under schemes.
  74. Section 67Power to State Government to control road transport.
  75. Section 68Transport Authorities.
  76. Section 69General provision as to applications for permits.
  77. Section 70Application for stage carriage permit.
  78. Section 71Procedure of Regional Transport Authority in considering application for stage carriage permit.
  79. Section 72Grant of stage carriage permits.
  80. Section 73Application for contract carriage permit.
  81. Section 74Grant of contract carriage permit.
  82. Section 75Scheme for renting of motor cabs and motor cycles.
  83. Section 76Application for private service vehicle permit.
  84. Section 77Application for goods carriage permit.
  85. Section 78Consideration of application for goods carriage permit.
  86. Section 79Grant of goods carriage permit.
  87. Section 80Procedure in applying for and granting permits.
  88. Section 81Duration and renewal of permits.
  89. Section 82Transfer of permit.
  90. Section 83Replacement of vehicles.
  91. Section 84General conditions attaching to all permits.
  92. Section 85General form of permits.
  93. Section 86Cancellation and suspension of permits.
  94. Section 87Temporary permits.
  95. Section 88Validation of permits for use outside region in which granted.
  96. Section 88APower of Central Government to make schemes for national, multimodal and inter-State transport of passengers and goods.
  97. Section 89Appeals.
  98. Section 90Revision.
  99. Section 91Restriction of hours of work of drivers.
  100. Section 92Voidance of contracts restrictive of liability.
  101. Section 93Agent or canvasser or aggregator to obtain licence.
  102. Section 94Bar on jurisdiction of Civil Courts.
  103. Section 95Power of State Government to make rules as to stage carriages and contract carriages.
  104. Section 96Power of State Government to make rules for the purposes of this Chapter.
  105. Section 97Definition.
  106. Section 98Chapter to override Chapter V and other laws.
  107. Section 99Preparation and publication of proposal regarding road transport service of a State transport undertaking.
  108. Section 100Objection to the proposal.
  109. Section 101Operation of additional services by a State transport undertaking in certain circumstances.
  110. Section 102Cancellation or modification of scheme.
  111. Section 103Issue of permits to State transport undertakings.
  112. Section 104Restriction on grant of permits in respect of a notified area or notified route.
  113. Section 105Principles and method of determining compensation and payment thereof.
  114. Section 106Disposal of article found in vehicles.
  115. Section 107Power of State Government to make rules.
  116. Section 108Certain powers of State Government exercisable by the Central Government.
  117. Section 109General provision regarding construction and maintenance of vehicles.
  118. Section 110Power of Central Government to make rules.
  119. Section 110ARecall of motor vehicles.
  120. Section 110BType of approval certificate and testing agencies.
  121. Section 111Power of State Government to make rules.
  122. Section 112Limits of speed.
  123. Section 113Limits of weight and limitations on use.
  124. Section 114Power to have vehicle weighed.
  125. Section 115Power to restrict the use of vehicles.
  126. Section 116Power to erect traffic signs.
  127. Section 117Parking places and halting stations.
  128. Section 118Driving regulations.
  129. Section 119Duty to obey traffic signs.
  130. Section 120Vehicles with left hand control.
  131. Section 121Signals and signalling devices.
  132. Section 122Leaving vehicle in dangerous position.
  133. Section 123Riding on running board, etc.
  134. Section 124Prohibition against travelling without pass or ticket.
  135. Section 125Obstruction of driver.
  136. Section 126Stationary vehicles.
  137. Section 127Removal of motor vehicles abandoned or left unattended on a public place.
  138. Section 128Safety measures for drivers and pillion riders.
  139. Section 129Wearing of protective headgear.
  140. Section 130Duty to produce licence and certificate of registration.
  141. Section 131Duty of the driver to take certain precautions at unguarded railway level crossing.
  142. Section 132Duty of driver to stop in certain cases.
  143. Section 133Duty of owner of motor vehicle to give information.
  144. Section 134Duty of driver in case of accident and injury to a person.
  145. Section 134AProtection of Good Samaritans.
  146. Section 135Schemes to be framed for the investigation of accident cases and wayside amenities, etc.
  147. Section 136Inspection of vehicle involved in accident.
  148. Section 136AElectronic monitoring and enforcement of road safety.
  149. Section 137Power of Central Government to make rules.
  150. Section 138Power of State Government to make rules.
  151. Section 139Power of Central Government to make rules.
  152. Section 140Omitted.
  153. Section 141Omitted.
  154. Section 142Omitted.
  155. Section 143Omitted.
  156. Section 144Omitted.
  157. Section 145Definitions.
  158. Section 146Necessity for insurance against third party risk.
  159. Section 147Requirements of policies and limits of liability.
  160. Section 148Validity of policies of insurance issued in reciprocating countries.
  161. Section 149Settlement by insurance company and procedure therefor.
  162. Section 150Duty of insurers to satisfy judgments and awards against persons insured in respect of third party risks
  163. Section 151Rights of third party against insurers on insolvency of insured
  164. Section 152Duty to give information as to insurance.
  165. Section 153Settlement between insurers and insured persons.
  166. Section 154Saving in respect of sections 151, 152 and 153.
  167. Section 155Effect of death on certain causes of action.
  168. Section 156Effect of certificate of insurance.
  169. Section 157Transfer of certificate of insurance.
  170. Section 158Production of certain certificates, licence and permit in certain cases.
  171. Section 159Information to be given regarding accident.
  172. Section 160Duty to furnish particulars of vehicle involved in accident.
  173. Section 161Special provisions as to compensation in case of hit and run motor accident.
  174. Section 162Scheme for golden hour.
  175. Section 163Refund in certain cases of compensation paid under section 161.
  176. Section 164Payment of compensation in case of death or grevious hurt, etc.
  177. Section 164AScheme for interim relief for claimants
  178. Section 164BMotor Vehicle Accident Fund
  179. Section 164CPower of Central Government to make rules.
  180. Section 164DPower of State Government to make rules.
  181. Section 165Claims Tribunals.
  182. Section 166Application for compensation.
  183. Section 167Option regarding claims for compensation in certain cases.
  184. Section 168Award of the Claims Tribunal.
  185. Section 169Procedure and powers of Claims Tribunals.
  186. Section 170Impleading insurer in certain cases.
  187. Section 171Award of interest where any claim is allowed.
  188. Section 172Award of compensatory costs in certain cases.
  189. Section 173Appeals.
  190. Section 174Recovery of money from insurer as arrear of land revenue.
  191. Section 175Bar on jurisdiction of Civil Courts.
  192. Section 176Power of State Government to make rules.
  193. Section 177General provision for punishment of offences.
  194. Section 177APenalty for contravention of regulations under section 118.
  195. Section 178Penalty for travelling without pass or ticket and for dereliction of duty on the part of conductor and refusal to ply contract carriage, etc.
  196. Section 179Disobedience of orders, obstruction and refusal of information.
  197. Section 180Allowing unauthorised persons to drive vehicles.
  198. Section 181Driving vehicles in contravention of section 3 or section 4.
  199. Section 182Offences relating to licences.
  200. Section 182APunishment for offences relating to construction, maintenance, sale and alteration of motor vehicles and components.
  201. Section 182BPenalty for contravention of section 62A.
  202. Section 183Driving at excessive speed, etc.
  203. Section 184Driving dangerously.
  204. Section 185Driving by a drunken person or by a person under the influence of drugs.
  205. Section 186Driving when mentally or phycically unfit to drive.
  206. Section 187Punishment for offences relating to accident.
  207. Section 188Punishment for abetment of certain offences.
  208. Section 189Racing and trials of speed.
  209. Section 190Using vehicle in unsafe condition.
  210. Section 191Omitted.
  211. Section 192Using vehicle without registration.
  212. Section 192AUsing vehicle without permit.
  213. Section 192BOffences relating to registration.
  214. Section 193Punishment of agents, canvassers and aggregators without proper authority.
  215. Section 194Driving vehicle exceeding permissible weight.
  216. Section 194ACarriage of excess passengers.
  217. Section 194BUse of safety belts and the seating of children.
  218. Section 194CPenalty for violation of safety measures for motor cycle drivers and pillion riders.
  219. Section 194DPenalty for not wearing protective headgear
  220. Section 194EFailure to allow free passage to emergency vehicles.
  221. Section 194FUse of horns and silence zones.
  222. Section 195Omitted.
  223. Section 196Driving uninsured vehicle.
  224. Section 197Taking vehicle without authority.
  225. Section 198Unauthorised interference with vehicle.
  226. Section 198AFailure to comply with standards for road design, construction and maintenance.
  227. Section 199Offences by companies.
  228. Section 199AOffences by juveniles.
  229. Section 199BRevision of fines and penalties.
  230. Section 200Composition of certain offences.
  231. Section 201Penalty for causing obstruction to free flow of traffic.
  232. Section 202Power to arrest without warrant.
  233. Section 203Breath tests.
  234. Section 204Laboratory test.
  235. Section 205Presumption of unfitness to drive.
  236. Section 206Power of police officer to impound document.
  237. Section 207Power to detain vehicles used without certificate of registration permit, etc.
  238. Section 208Summary disposal of cases.
  239. Section 209Restriction on conviction.
  240. Section 210Courts to send intimation about conviction.
  241. Section 210APower of State Government to increase penalties.
  242. Section 210BPenalty for offence committed by an enforcing authority
  243. Section 210CPower of Central Government to make rules.
  244. Section 210DPower of State Government to make rules.
  245. Section 211Power to levy fee.
  246. Section 211AUse of electronic forms and documents.
  247. Section 212Publication, commencement and laying of rules and notifications.
  248. Section 213Appointment of motor vehicles officers.
  249. Section 214Effect of appeal and revision on orders passed by original authority.
  250. Section 215Road Safety Councils and Committees.
  251. Section 215APower of Central Government and State Government to delegate.
  252. Section 215BNational Road Safety Board
  253. Section 215CPower of Central Government to make rules.
  254. Section 215DPower of State Government to make rules.
  255. Section 216Power to remove difficulties.
  256. Section 217Repeal and savings.
  257. Section 217ARenewal of permits, driving licences and registration granted under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1939.