Motor Vehicles Act, 1988

The Motor Vehicles Act was passed in the year 1988. It regulates all the aspects of road transport vehicles. The act provides detailed guidelines on the licensing of the drivers and conductors, registration of motor vehicles, the provision on controlling their permits, traffic regulations, related insurances, liabilities, and penalties. Let us have a look at the act in detail.

What are the offences covered under the Motor Vehicle Act?

The following are the offences which are covered under the Motors Vehicles Act.

Offense related to documents

Section PenaltyOffense
Section 181 of the Motor Vehicle Act
Rs. 5,000* 
 Driving without carrying a valid driving license  
Section 180 of the Motor Vehicle Act
Rs. 5,000*
Unauthorized driving of a vehicle without carrying a valid driving license
Section 177 of the Motor Vehicle Act
Rs. 500* 
General
130(3) r/w 177 the Motor Vehicle Act
Rs. 500*          
Not carrying the required documents as specified in the Motor Vehicle Act while driving 
Section 196 of the Motor Vehicle Act
Rs. 2,000* 
 Driving without a valid auto insurance
Section 192 A of the Motor Vehicle Act
Up to Rs 10,000*   Driving without a valid permit
Section 178 of the Motor Vehicle Act
Rs. 500*
  Traveling without ticket 
Section 182 of the Motor Vehicle Act
Rs. 10,000*
  Driving after being disqualified
Section 206 of the Motor Vehicle Act
Suspension of driving license under Section 183, 184, 185, 189, 190, 194C, 194D, and 194E*
Power of Officers towards impounding documents 
Section 193 of the Motor Vehicle Act
Rs. 25,000 to INR 1 lakh 
    Violating licensing conditions (Aggregators)  
130 r/w 177 Motor Vehicle Act
Up to Rs. 5,000 and no less than Rs. 2,000
Driving without a Valid Vehicle Fitness Certificate
39 r/w 192 Motor Vehicle Act
Rs 2000 A vehicle without RC Book (Registration Certificate)

Offenses related to driving

Section Penalty Offenses
Section 177A (New) of the Motor Vehicle Act
Rs. 500*
Violation of rules of road regulation
4 r/w 181 Motor Vehicle Act
Rs. 500
Driving by a minor (aged below 18)
Section 199 of the Motor Vehicle Act
The fine amount of Rs.25,000 and 3 years of imprisonment to be faced by the guardian of the individual or owner of the vehicle; The individual is to be tried under the JJ Act and the registration of the vehicle is to be cancelled* 
Offences made by juveniles (aged below 18 years)
Section 179 of the Motor Vehicle Act
Rs. 2,000*    
Not obeying the orders of the authorities
Section 183 of the Motor Vehicle Act
Rs. 1,000 for Light Motor Vehicles (LMVs); INR 2,000 for Medium Passenger Vehicles (MPVs)*
Over speeding of vehicle 
Section 182 B of the Motor Vehicle Act
Rs. 5,000*     
Oversize vehicles
5 r/w 180 Motor Vehicle Act
Rs. 1,000 
Letting an unlicensed fellow drive
129 r/w177 Motor Vehicle Act
Rs. 1,000 and disqualification of driving license for 3 months*
Driving two-wheelers without wearing a helmet    
Section 194 B of the Motor Vehicle Act
Rs. 1,000*
Driving without fastening the seat belts
Section 177 of the Motor Vehicle Act
Rs. 1,000*    
Rough/ Reckless/ Negligent Driving
Section 184 of the Motor Vehicle Act
Rs. 5,000* 
Dangerous driving
Section 189 of the Motor Vehicle Act
Rs. 5,000* 
Racing or speeding on public roads
Section 194 E of the Motor Vehicle Act
Rs. 10,000*
Not making way for emergency vehicles
112-183 Motor Vehicle Act
Court Challan   
Not driving in the proper lane
66 r/w 192 Motor Vehicle Act
Rs. 100
Driving in the centre and not keeping to the left side of the road
2 RRR r/w 177 Motor Vehicle Act
Rs. 100
Driving against One Way
17 (i) RRR 177 Motor Vehicle Act
Rs. 100
Reversing without due caution and care
MMVR 233
Rs. 100
Taking “U” turn during forbidden hours
177 Motor Vehicle Act
Rs. 100
Not taking adequate care while taking a “Turn”
12 RRR
Rs. 100
Failing to slow down at intersection/ junction
177 Motor Vehicle Act
Rs. 100
Not carrying on the left of the traffic island
3 RRR
Rs. 100
Carrying people on Footboard
177 Motor Vehicle Act
Rs. 100
Carrying people to the point that it causes inconvenience (be it for rear-view visibility or gear shifting) to the driver
128/177 Motor Vehicle Act
Rs. 100
Tripling on bikes/ two-wheelers
RRR 177 Motor Vehicle Act
Rs. 100
Driving on Footpath
RRR 177 Motor Vehicle Act
Rs. 100
Stopping at pedestrian from crossing or crossing a Stop Line (Zebra Cross)

Offenses related to Road marking

SectionPenaltyOffense
119/177 Motor Vehicle Act
Rs. 100
Violating the Yellow Line
113(1)/177 DMVR
Rs. 100
Violating the Stop Line
113(1)/177 DMVR
Rs. 100
Violating the Mandatory Signs

Offenses related to number plates

SectionPenaltyOffense
CMVR 105 (2) (ii)
Rs. 100
Use of Offensive Number Plate for the vehicle used in driving
177 Motor Vehicle Act
Rs 4500Displaying 'Applied For'

Offenses related to horns

Section PenaltyOffense
119(1)/177 CMVR
Rs. 100
Driving without a Horn
CMVR 105 (2) (ii)
Rs. 100

Improper usage of the horn when you drive

Offenses related to vehicle lights

SectionPenaltyOffense
CMVR 105 (2) (ii)
Rs. 100
Improper use of headlights and/ or taillight for your vehicle used in driving
177 Motor Vehicle Act
Rs. 100
Using a High Beam when it is not needed

Offenses related to traffic police

SectionPenaltyOffense
119 Motor Vehicle Act
Rs. 100
Disobeying a Traffic Police Officer in uniform
22 (a) RRR
Rs. 100
Driving against Police Signal
177 Motor Vehicle Act
Rs. 100
Not complying with the manual Traffic Signal

Offenses related to traffic signals

SectionPenaltyOffense
22 (b) RRR
Rs. 100
Not complying with the Traffic signal / Sign Board 
239 MMVR
Rs. 100
Failing to give the appropriate Signal
177 Motor Vehicle Act
Rs. 100
Signal Jumping

Offenses related to speed and overtaking

SectionPenaltyOffense
112 - 183 Motor Vehicle Act
Up to Rs. 1,000
Driving above the permitted Speed Limits by the Traffic Police
112/ 183 (2) Motor Vehicle Act
Rs. 300
Abetment for Going over the Speed Limit
6 (a) RRR r/w 177 Motor Vehicle Act
Rs. 100
Overtaking hazardously
7 RRR
Rs. 100
Failing to deliberate way to sanction Overtaking
177 Motor Vehicle Act
Rs. 100
Over taking from the wrong side

Offenses related to driving

Section Penalty Offence
Section 177A (New) of the Motor Vehicle Act
Rs. 500*
 Violation of rules of road regulation   
4 r/w 181 Motor Vehicle Act
Rs. 500
Driving by a minor (aged below 18).  
Section 199 of the Motor Vehicle Act
The fine amount of Rs.25,000 and 3 years of imprisonment to be faced by the guardian of the individual or owner of the vehicle; The individual is to be tried under the JJ Act and the registration of the vehicle is to be cancelled*
Offences made by juveniles (aged below 18 years)
Section 179 of the Motor Vehicle Act
Rs. 2,000* 
Not obeying the orders of the authorities 
Section 183 of the Motor Vehicle Act
Rs. 1,000 for Light Motor Vehicles (LMVs); INR 2,000 for Medium Passenger Vehicles (MPVs)*  
Over speeding of vehicle 
Section 182 B of the Motor Vehicle Act
Rs. 5,000*  
Oversize vehicles
5 r/w 180 Motor Vehicle Act
Rs. 1,000
Letting an unlicensed fellow drive
129 r/w177 Motor Vehicle Act
Rs. 1,000 and disqualification of driving license for 3 months* 
Driving two-wheelers without wearing a helmet 
Section 194 B of the Motor Vehicle Act
Rs. 1,000*
Driving without fastening the seat belts 
Section 177 of the Motor Vehicle Act
Rs. 1,000*
Rough/ Reckless/ Negligent Driving 
Section 184 of the Motor Vehicle Act
Rs. 5,000* 
Dangerous driving       
Section 189 of the Motor Vehicle Act
Rs. 5,000* 
Racing or speeding on public roads  
Section 194 E of the Motor Vehicle Act
Rs. 10,000*
Not making way for emergency vehicles
112-183 Motor Vehicle Act
Court Challan
Not driving in the proper lane
66 r/w 192 Motor Vehicle Act
Rs. 100
Driving in the centre and not keeping to the left side of the road
2 RRR r/w 177 Motor Vehicle Act
Rs. 100
Driving against One Way
17 (i) RRR 177 Motor Vehicle Act
Rs. 100
Reversing without due caution and care
MMVR 233
Rs. 100
Taking “U” turn during forbidden hours
177 Motor Vehicle Act
Rs. 100
Not taking adequate care while taking a “Turn”
12 RRR
Rs. 100
Failing to slow down at intersection/ junction
177 Motor Vehicle Act
Rs. 100
Not carrying on the left of the traffic island
3 RRR
Rs. 100
Carrying people on Footboard
177 Motor Vehicle Act
Rs. 100
Carrying people to the point that it causes inconvenience (be it for rear-view visibility or gear shifting) to the driver
128/177 Motor Vehicle Act
Rs. 100
Tripling on bikes/ two-wheelers
RRR 177 Motor Vehicle Act
Rs. 100
Driving on Footpath

Offences related to Parking

SectionPenalty Offences
22 (a) RRR 177 of the Motor Vehicle Act
Rs 100Parking in the same direction of the flow of traffic
15 (2) RRR 177 of the Motor Vehicle Act
Rs 100
Parking away from walkway towards the road
15 (2) RRR 177 of the Motor Vehicle Act
Rs 100
Parking against the flow of traffic
15 (2) RRR 177 of the Motor Vehicle Act

Parking causing Obstruction to other vehicles and people
15 (2) RRR 177 of the Motor Vehicle Act
Rs 100
Parking on any Taxi Stand
15 (1) RRR 177 of the Motor Vehicle Act
Rs 100
Parking in not any specified way
15 (i) RRR 177 of the Motor Vehicle Act
Rs 100
Parking at any Corner/ Edge
15 (2) RRR 177 of the Motor Vehicle Act
Rs 100Parking within 15 meters on either side of a Bus Stop, causing inconvenience to those waiting for the bus as well as bus drivers
15 (2) (i) RRR 177 of the Motor Vehicle Act
Rs 100
Parking on a Bridge
15 (2) RRR 177 of the Motor Vehicle Act
Rs 100
Parking at any Traffic Island
15 (2) (iii) RRR 177 of the Motor Vehicle Act
Rs 100
Parking in ‘No Parking’ Zone
15 (2) (ii) RRR 177 of the Motor Vehicle Act
Rs 100
Parking on any Pedestrian Crossing
15 (2) (viii) RRR 177 of the Motor Vehicle Act
Rs 100
Parking the vehicle on Walkways
15 (1) RRR 177 of the Motor Vehicle Act
Rs 100
Parking in front of any gate

Offences related to road marking

Section  Penalty Offences
119/177 Motor Vehicle Act
Rs. 100
Violating the Yellow Line
113(1)/177 DMVR
Rs. 100
Violating the Stop Line
113(1)/177 DMVR
Rs. 100
Violating the Mandatory Signs

Offences related to vehicle number plates

Section  Penalty Offences
CMVR 105 (2) (ii)Rs. 100Use of Offensive Number Plate for the vehicle used in driving
177 Motor Vehicle Act
Rs. 4,500
Displaying 'Applied For

Offences related to commercial vehicles

Section  Penalty Offences
115/194 Motor Vehicle Act
Up to Rs. 2,000 Working in 'NO ENTRY' Time
11/177, 2/177, 66/192 Motor Vehicle Act
Court Challan
Violating the timetable
29 RRR/177 Motor Vehicle Act
Rs. 100 
High and Long / Load in Vehicles
MMVR 83 177 Motor Vehicle Act
Rs. 100 
Carrying animals in goods vehicles in contravention of rules.
MMVR 108 177 Motor Vehicle Act
Rs. 100 
Transporting people hazardously or carrying people in goods carrier vehicles.
229 MMVR, 29 RRR & 177 Motor Vehicle Act
Rs. 100 
Perilous projection of goods
MMVR 202 177 Motor Vehicle Act
Rs. 100 
Carrying goods unsafe
MMVR 93 (u) (i) 177 Motor Vehicle Act
Rs. 100 
Carrying possessions more than 11 feet high
113/194(1) Motor Vehicle Act
Court Challan
Carrying possessions more than 11 feet high
114/194(2) Motor Vehicle Act
Court Challan
Driver refusing to weigh his vehicle
MMVR 202 & 177 Motor Vehicle Act
Rs. 100
Loading on Tail Board
11(3)/ 177 DMVR
Rs. 100
Misconduct by Taxi or TSR Driver
11(8)/ 177 DMVR
Rs. 100
Over Charging by Taxi or TSR Driver
11(8)/ 177 DMVR
Rs. 100
Over Charging by Taxi or TSR Driver
11(9)/ 177 DMVR
Rs. 100
Refusal by Taxi or TSR Driver
7/ 177 DMVR
Rs. 100
Driving without Khaki Uniform
22 (1)/ 177 DMVR
Rs. 100
Driver without wearing a Badge
23 (1)/ 177 DMVR
Rs. 100
A conductor without the specified Uniform
22 (1)/ 177 DMVR
Rs. 100
Conductor without Badge
66/ 192 Motor Vehicle Act
Court Challan
Stopping without a Bus stop
207 (1) Motor Vehicle Act
Court Challan
Power to detain Vehicle driven in infringement of section 3.4,39 or 66(1) MV Act

Offences related to horn

Section  Penalty Offences
119(1)/177 CMVR
Rs. 100Driving without a Horn
CMVR 105 (2) (ii)
Rs. 100
Improper usage of the horn when you drive

Offences related to vehicle lights

Section  Penalty Offences
CMVR 105 (2)Rs. 100Improper use of headlights and/ or taillight for your vehicle used in driving
177 Motor Vehicle Act
Rs. 100
Using a High Beam when it is not needed

Offence related to towing of automobiles

SectionPenaltyOffences
RRR 177 Motor Vehicles Act
Rs. 100
Two-Wheeler
RRR 177 Motor Vehicles Act
Rs. 200
Car, Jeep, Cab, Auto Rickshaw
RRR 177 Motor Vehicles Act
Rs. 600
Truck, Tanker, Trailer

Offences related to pollution

SectionPenaltyOffences
86 (1) (5)/ 177 DMVR
Rs. 100Smoking in Public Transport is strictly prohibited
99 (1) (a)/ 177 DMVR
Rs. 100
Pollution Not Under Control
119 CMVR
Rs. 500
Using multi-toned and/ or shrill horn
190 (2) Motor Vehicle Act
Rs. 100
Blowing Pressure Horn
96 (1)/ 177 DMVR
Rs. 500
Silencer and/ or muffler making a huge noise
CMVR 120
Rs. 500
Smoky Exhaust (against specifications)
190 (2) Motor Vehicle Act
Rs. 100
Silence

Offences related to traffic police

Section  Penalty Offences
119 Motor Vehicle ActRs. 100Disobeying a Traffic Police Officer in uniform
22 (a) RRR
Rs. 100
Driving against Police Signal
177 Motor Vehicle Act
Rs. 100
Not complying with the manual Traffic Signal

Offences related to traffic signal

Section  Penalty Offences
22 (b) RRR
Rs. 100Not complying with the Traffic signal / Sign Board
239 MMVR
Rs. 100
Failing to give the appropriate Signal
177 Motor Vehicle Act
Rs. 100
Signal Jumping

Offences related to speed and overtaking

Section  Penalty Offences
112 - 183 Motor Vehicle Act
Up to Rs. 1,000Driving above the permitted Speed Limits by the Traffic Police
112/ 183 (2) Motor Vehicle Act
Rs. 300
Abetment for Going over the Speed Limit
6 (a) RRR r/w 177 Motor Vehicle Act
Rs. 100
Overtaking hazardously
7 RRR
Rs. 100
Failing to deliberate way to sanction Overtaking
177 Motor Vehicle Act
Rs. 100
Overtaking from the Wrong Side