THE MOTER VEHICLES ACT 1988 is an act of the Parliament of Indiathath regulates all aspects of road transport vehicles. The Act came into force on 1st Jul, 1989.
The Motor Vehicles Act 1988 defines ‘motor vehicle’ or ‘vehicle’ as “any mechanically propelled vehicle adapted for use upon roads whether the power of propulsion is transmitted thereto from an external or internal source”.
The Act provides in detail the legislative provisions regarding licensing of drivers/conductors, registration of motor vehicles, control of motor vehicles through permits, special provisions relating to state transport undertakings, traffic regulation, insurance, liability, offences and penalties, etc.
The Act mandates that no person/owner shall drive motor vehicles unless the vehicle is registered. A certificate of registration in respect of motor vehicles shall be valid only for a period of fifteen years from the date of issue of such a certificate and shall be renewable. The suspension of registration of motor vehicles can be made by the registering authority on the conditions that the use of motor vehicles in public place would constitute danger to the public; using motor vehicles without a valid permit and using vehicles without rectifying mechanical defects, etc. The cancellation of registration of motor vehicles can be made by the registering authority if the suspension of registration continues without interruption for a period of not less than six months
