Bare Act · Full Act
Chapters
Chapter I · 1–2B
Chapter II · 3–28
Chapter III · 29–38
Chapter IV · 39–65
Chapter V · 66–96
Chapter VI · 97–108
Chapter VII · 109–111
Chapter VIII · 112–138
Chapter IX · 139
Chapter X · 140–144
Chapter XI · 145–164D
Chapter XII · 165–176
Chapter XIII · 177–210D
Chapter XIV · 211–217A
The Schedules
The Motor Vehicles Act, 1988
Act No. 59 of 1988 · 14th October, 1988 · Full text with the Schedules and footnotes.
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
Chapter II — Licensing of Drivers of Motor Vehicles
- 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.
Chapter III — Licensing of Conductors of Stage Carriages
- 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.
Chapter IV — Registration of Motor Vehicles
- 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.
Chapter V — Control of Transport Vehicles
- 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 [and motor cycles].
- 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.
Chapter VI — Special Provisions Relating to State Transport Undertakings
- 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.
Chapter VII — Construction, Equipment and Maintenance of Motor Vehicles
Chapter VIII — Control of Traffic
- 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 crossings.
- 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.
Chapter IX — Motor Vehicles Temporarily Leaving or Visiting India
Chapter X — Liability Without Fault in Certain Cases
- 140Liability to pay compensation in certain cases on the principle of no fault. [Omitted or repealed]
- 141Provisions as to other right to claim compensation for death or permanent disablement. [Omitted or repealed]
- 142Permanent disablement. [Omitted or repealed]
- 143Applicability of Chapter to certain claims under Act 8 of 1923. [Omitted or repealed]
- 144Overriding effect. [Omitted or repealed]
Chapter XI — Insurance of Motor Vehicles Against Third Party Risks
- 145Definitions.
- 146Necessity for insurance against third party risks.
- 147Requirement 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.
Chapter XII — Claims Tribunals
- 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.
Chapter XIII — Offences, Penalties and Procedure
- 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.
- 182BPenalty] 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 physically 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.
- 191Sale of vehicle in or alteration of vehicle to condition contravening this Act. [Omitted or repealed]
- 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.
- 195Imposition of minimum fine under certain circumstances. [Omitted or repealed]
- 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 [and penalties].
- 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 [fine or] penalties.
- 210BPenalty for offence committed by an enforcing authority.
- 210CPower of Central Government to make rules.
- 210DPower of State Government to make rules.
Chapter XIV — Miscellaneous
- 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.
The Schedules
Source: India Code (indiacode.nic.in), Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 (Act No. 59 of 1988), official text as on 15th August, 2026, with the official footnotes. Chapter X (sections 140 to 144), sections 191 and 195 and the Second Schedule are omitted and are listed with the official note. The First Schedule (mandatory road signs) is shown as images of the printed pages. The Statement of Objects and Reasons is not included.
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