Modules

THE MOTOR VEHICLES ACT, 1988

(59 OF 1988) (14 Oct. 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 : -

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 alia, take into account also changes in the road

transport technology, pattern of passenger and freight movements, developments,

of the road network in the country and particularly the improved 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

(CIRT), Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI), 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...