Chapter XIII of Motors Vehicles Act

OFFENCES, PENALTIES AND PROCEDURE

Section 177. General provision for punishment of offences.

Whoever contravenes any provision of this Act or of any rule, regulation or notification made thereunder shall, if no penalty is provided for the offence be punishable for the first offence with fine which may extend to five hundred rupees, and for any second or subsequent offence with fine which may extend to one thousand and five hundred rupees.

Section 177A. Penalty for contravention of regulations under section 118.

Whoever contravenes the regulations made under section 118, shall be punishable with fine which shall not be less than five hundred rupees, but may extend to one thousand rupees.

Section 178. Penalty for travelling without pass or ticket and for dereliction of duty on the part of conductor and refusal to ply contract carriage, etc.

(1) Whoever travels in a stage carriage without having a proper pass or ticket with him or being in or having alighted from a stage carriage fails or refuses to present for examination or to deliver up his pass or ticket immediately on a requisition being made therefor, shall be punishable with fine which may extend to five hundred rupees.

Explanation-
In this section, “pass” and “ticket” have the meanings respectively assigned to them in section 124.

(2) If the conductor of a stage carriage, or the driver of a stage carriage performing the functions of a conductor in such stage carriage, whose duty is-

(a) to supply a ticket to a person travelling in a stage carriage on payment of fare by such person, either wilfully or negligently,-
(i) fails or refuses to accept the fare when tendered, or
(ii) fails or refuses to supply a ticket, or
(iii) supplies an invalid ticket, or
(iv) supplies a ticket of a lesser value, or

(b) to check any pass or ticket, either wilfully or negligently fails or refuses to do so,

he shall be punishable with fine which may extend to five hundred rupees.

(3) If the holder of a permit or the driver of a contract carriage refuses, in contravention of the provisions of this Act or rules made thereunder, to ply the contract carriage or to carry the passengers, he shall,-
(a) in the case of two-wheeled or three-wheeled motor vehicles, be punishable with fine which may extend to fifty rupees; and
(b) in any other case, be punishable with fine which may extend to five hundred rupees.

Section 179. Disobedience of orders, obstruction and refusal of information.

(1) Whoever wilfully disobeys any direction lawfully given by any person or authority empowered under this Act to give such direction, or obstructs any person or authority in the discharge of any functions which such person or authority is required or empowered under this Act to discharge, shall, if no other penalty is provided for the offence be punishable with fine which may extend to two thousand rupees.

(2) Whoever, being required by or under this Act to supply any information, wilfully withholds such information or gives information which he known to be false or which he does not believe to be true, shall, if no other penalty is provided for the offence, be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to one month, or with fine which may extend to two thousand rupees, or with both.

Section 180. Allowing unauthorised persons to drive vehicles.

Whenever, being the owner or person in charge of a motor vehicle, causes, or permits, any other person who does not satisfy the provisions of section 3 or section 4 to drive the vehicle shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three months, or with fine of five thousand rupees, or with both.

Section 181. Driving vehicles in contravention of section 3 or section 4.

Whoever, drives a motor vehicle in contravention of section 3 or section 4 shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three months, or with fine of five thousand rupees, or with both.

Section 182. Offences relating to licences.

(1) Whoever, being disqualified under this Act for holding or obtaining a driving licence drives a motor vehicle in a public place or in any other place, or applies for or obtains a driving licence or, not being entitled to have a driving licence issued to him free of endorsement, applies for or obtains a driving licence without disclosing the endorsement made on a driving licence previously held by him shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three months, or with fine of ten thousand rupees or with both, and any driving licence so obtained by him shall be of no effect.

(2) Whoever, being disqualified under this Act for holding or obtaining a conductor’s licence, acts as a conductor of a stage carriage in a public place or applies for or obtains a conductor’s licence or, not being entitled to have a conductor’s licence issued to him free of endorsement, applies for or obtains a conductor’s licence without disclosing the endorsements made on a conductor’s licence previously held by him, shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to one month, or with fine which may extend to ten thousand rupees, or with both, and any conductor’s licence so obtained by him shall be of no effect.

Section 182A. Punishment for offences relating to construction, maintenance, sale and alteration of motor vehicles and components.

(1) Whoever, being a manufacturer, importer or dealer of motor vehicles, sells or delivers or alters or offers to sell or deliver or alter, a motor vehicle that is in contravention of the provisions of Chapter VII or the rules and regulations made thereunder, shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year, or with fine of one lakh rupees per such motor vehicle or with both:
Provided that no person shall be convicted under this section if he proves that, at the time of sale or delivery or alteration or offer of sale or delivery or alteration of such motor vehicle, he had disclosed to the other party the manner in which such motor vehicle was in contravention of the provisions of Chapter VII or the rules and regulations made thereunder.

(2) Whoever, being a manufacturer of motor vehicles, fails to comply with the provisions of Chapter VII or the rules and regulations made thereunder, shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year or with fine which may extend to one hundred crore rupees or with both.

(3) Whoever, sells or offers to sell, or permits the sale of any component of a motor vehicle which has been notified as a critical safety component by the Central Government and which does not comply with Chapter VII or the rules and regulations made thereunder shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year or with fine of one lakh rupees per such component or with both.

(4) Whoever, being the owner of a motor vehicle, alters a motor vehicle, including by way of retrofitting of motor vehicle parts, in a manner not permitted under the Act or the rules and regulations made thereunder shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine of five thousand rupees per such alteration or with both.

Section 182B. Punishment for contravention of section 62A.

Whoever contravenes the provisions of section 62A, shall be punishable with fine which shall not be less than five thousand rupees, but may extend to ten thousand rupees.

Section 183. Driving at excessive speed, etc.

(1) Whoever, drives or causes any person who is employed by him or subjects someone under his control to drive a motor vehicle in contravention of the speed limits referred to in section 112 shall be punishable in the following manner, namely:-

(i) where such motor vehicle is a light motor vehicle with fine which shall not be less than one thousand rupees but may extend to two thousand rupees;

(ii) where such motor vehicle is a medium goods vehicle or a medium passenger vehicle or a heavy goods vehicle or a heavy passenger vehicle with fine which shall not be less than two thousand rupees, but may extend to four thousand rupees; and

(iii) for the second or any subsequent offence under this sub-section the driving licence of such driver shall be impounded as per the provisions of the sub-section (4) of section 206.

(2) Omitted in 2019.

(3) No person shall be convicted of an offence punishable under sub-section (1) solely on the evidence of one witness to the effect that in the opinion of the witness such person was driving at a speed which was unlawful, unless that opinion is shown to be based on an estimate obtained by the use of some mechanical or electronic device.

(4) The publication of a time table under which, or the giving of any direction that, any journey or part of a journey is to be completed within a specified time shall, if in the opinion of the Court it is not practicable in the circumstances of the case for that journey or part of a journey to be completed in the specified time without contravening the speed limits referred to in section 112 be prima facie evidence that the person who published the time table or gave the direction has committed an offence punishable under sub-section (1).

Section 184. Driving dangerously.

Whoever drives a motor vehicle at a speed or in a manner which is dangerous to the public or which causes a sense of alarm or distress to the occupants of the vehicle, other road users, and persons near roads, having regard to all the circumstances of case including the nature, condition and use of the place where the vehicle is driven and the amount of traffic which actually is at the time or which might reasonably be expected to be in the place, shall be punishable for the first offence with imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year but shall not be less than six months or with fine which shall not be less than one thousand rupees but may extend to five thousand rupees, or with both, and for any second or subsequent offence if committed within three years of the commission of a previous similar offence with imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine of ten thousand rupees, or with both.

Explanation-
For the purpose of this section,-
(a) jumping a red light;
(b) violating a stop sign;
(c) use of handheld communications devices while driving;
(d) passing or overtaking other vehicles in a manner contrary to law;
(e) driving against the authorised flow of traffic; or
(f) driving in any manner that falls far below what would be expected of a competent and careful driver and where it would be obvious to a competent and careful driver that driving in that manner would be dangerous,

shall amount to driving in such manner which is dangerous to the public.

Section 185. Driving by a drunken person or by a person under the influence of drugs.

Whoever, while driving, or attempting to drive, a motor vehicle,-
(a) has, in his blood, alcohol exceeding 30 mg. per 100 ml. of blood detected in a test by a breath analyser, or in any other test including a laboratory test, or

(b) is under the influence of a drug to such an extent as to be incapable of exercising proper control over the vehicle,

shall be punishable for the first offence with imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine of ten thousand rupees, or with both; and for a second or subsequent offence, with imprisonment for term which may extend to two years, or with fine of fifteen thousand rupees, or with both.

Explanation-
For the purposes of this section, the expression “drug” means any intoxicant other than alcohol, natural or synthetic, or any natural material or any salt, or preparation of such substance or material as may be notified by the Central Government under this Act and includes a narcotic drug and psychotropic substance as defined in clause (xiv) and clause (xxiii) of section 2 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 (61 of 1985).

Section 186. Driving when mentally or physically unfit to drive.

Whoever drives a motor vehicle in any public place when he is to his knowledge suffering from any disease or disability calculated to cause his driving of the vehicle to be a source of danger to the public, shall be punishable for the first offence with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees and for a second or subsequent offence with fine which may extend to two thousand rupees.

Section 187. Punishment for offences relating to accident.

Whoever fails to comply with the provisions of clause (a) of sub-section (1) of section 132 or section 133 or section 134 shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine of five thousand rupees, or with both or, if having been previously convicted of an offence under this section, he is again convicted of an offence under this section, with imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year, or with fine of ten thousand rupees, or with both.

Section 188. Punishment for abetment of certain offences.

Whoever abets the commission of an offence under section 184, section 185 or section 186 shall be punishable with the punishment provided for the offence.

Section 189. Racing and trials of speed.

Whoever without the written consent of the State Government permits or takes part in a race or trial of speed of any kind between motor vehicles in any public place shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three months, or with fine of five thousand rupees, or with both and for a subsequent offence shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year, or with fine of ten thousand rupees; or with both.

Section 190. Using vehicle in unsafe condition.

(1) Any person who drives or causes or allows to be driven in any public place a motor vehicle or trailer while the vehicle or trailer has any defect, which such person knows of or could have discovered by the exercise of ordinary care and which is calculated to render the driving of the vehicle a source of danger to persons and vehicles using such place, shall be punishable with fine of one thousand five hundred rupees or, if as a result of such defect an accident is caused causing bodily injury or damage to property, with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three months, or with fine of five thousand rupees, or with both and for a subsequent offence shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months, or with a fine of ten thousand rupees for bodily injury or damage to property.

(2) Any person who drives or causes or allows to be driven, in any public place a motor vehicle, which violates the standards prescribed in relation to road safety, control of noise and air-pollution, shall be punishable for the first offence with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three months, or with fine which may extend to ten thousand rupees or with both and he shall be disqualified for holding licence for a period of three months and for any second or subsequent offence with imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine which may extend to ten thousand rupees or with both.

(3) Any person who drives or causes or allows to be driven, in any public place a motor vehicle which violates the provisions of this Act or the rules made thereunder relating to the carriage of goods which are of dangerous or hazardous nature to human life, shall be punishable for the first offence with a fine of ten thousand rupees and he shall be disqualified for holding licence for a period of three months, or with imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year, or with both, and for any second or subsequent offence with fine of twenty thousand rupees, or with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years, or with both.

Section 191. Sale of vehicle in or alteration of vehicle to condition contravening this Act.

Omitted by Act The Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019 (32 of 2019), s. 73 (w.e.f. 1-9-2019).

Section 192. Using vehicle without registration.

(1) Whoever drives a motor vehicle or causes or allows a motor vehicle to be used in contravention of the provisions of section 39 shall be punishable for the first offence with a fine which may extend to five thousand rupees but shall not be less than two thousand rupees for a second or subsequent offence with imprisonment which may extend to one year or with fine which may extend to ten thousand rupees but shall not be less than five thousand rupees or with both:
Provided that the court may, for reasons to be recorded, impose a lesser punishment.

(2) Nothing in this section shall apply to the use of a motor vehicle in an emergency for the conveyance of persons suffering from sickness or injuries or for the transport of food or materials to relieve distress or of medical supplies for a like purpose:
Provided that the persons using the vehicle reports about the same to the Regional Transport Authority within seven days from the date of such use.

(3) The court to which an appeal lies from any conviction in respect of an offence of the nature specified in sub-section (1), may set aside or vary any order made by the court below, notwithstanding that no appeal lies against the conviction in connection with which such order was made.

Section 192A. Using vehicle without permit.

(1) Whoever drives a motor vehicle or causes or allows a motor vehicle to be used in contravention of the provisions of sub-section (1) of section 66 or in contravention of any condition of a permit relating to the route on which or the area in which or the purpose for which the vehicle may be used, shall be punishable for the first offence with imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months and a fine of ten thousand rupees and for any subsequent offence with imprisonment which may extend to one year but shall not be less than six months or with fine of ten thousand rupees or with both:
Provided that the court may for reasons to be recorded, impose a lesser punishment.

(2) Nothing in this section shall apply to the use of a motor vehicle in an emergency for the conveyance of persons suffering from sickness or injury or for the transport of materials for repair or for the transport of food or materials to relieve distress or of medical supplies for a like purpose:
Provided that the person using the vehicle reports about the same to the Regional Transport Authority within seven days from the date of such use.

Section 193. Punishment of agents and canvassers without proper authority.

Whoever engages himself as an agent or canvasser in contravention of the provisions of section 93 or of any rules made thereunder shall be punishable for the first offence with fine of one thousand rupees and for any second or subsequent offence with imprisonment which may extend to six months, or with fine of two thousand rupees, or with both.

Section 194. Driving vehicle exceeding permissible weight.

(1) Whoever drives a motor vehicle or causes or allows a motor vehicle to be driven in contravention of the provisions of section 113 or section 114 or section 115 shall be punishable with fine of twenty thousand rupees and an additional amount of two thousand rupees per tonne of excess load, together with the liability to pay charges for off-loading of the excess load.

Provided that such motor vehicle shall not be allowed to move before such excess load is removed or is caused or allowed to be removed by the person in control of such motor vehicle.

(1A) Whoever drives a motor vehicle or causes or allows a motor vehicle to be driven when such motor vehicle is loaded in such a manner that the load or any part thereof or anything extends laterally beyond the side of the body or to the front or to the rear or in height beyond the permissible limit shall be punishable with a fine of twenty thousand rupees, together with the liability to pay charges for off-loading of such load:

Provided that such motor vehicle shall not be allowed to move before such load is arranged in a manner such that there is no extension of the load laterally beyond the side of the body or to the front or to the rear or in height beyond the permissible limit:

Provided further that nothing in this sub-section shall apply when such motor vehicle has been given an exemption by the competent authority authorised in this behalf, by the State Government or the Central Government, allowing the carriage of a particular load.

(2) Any driver of a vehicle who refuses to stop and submit his vehicle to weighing after being directed to do so by an officer authorised in this behalf under section 114 or removes or causes the removal of the load or part of it prior to weighing shall be punishable with fine of forty thousand rupees.

Section 194A. Carriage of excess passengers.

Whoever drives a transport vehicle or causes or allows a transport vehicle to be driven while carrying more passengers than is authorised in the registration certificate of such transport vehicle or the permit conditions applicable to such transport vehicle shall be punishable with a fine of two hundred rupees per excess passenger:
Provided that such transport vehicle shall not be allowed to move before the excess passengers are off-loaded and an alternative transport is arranged for such passengers.

Section 194B. Use of safety belts and the seating of children.

(1) Whoever drives a motor vehicle without wearing a safety belt or carries passengers not wearing seat belts shall be punishable with a fine of one thousand rupees:

Provided that the State Government, may by notification in the Official Gazette, exclude the application of this sub-section to transport vehicles to carry standing passengers or other specified classes of transport vehicles.

(2) Whoever drives a motor vehicle or causes or allows a motor vehicle to be driven with a child who, not having attained the age of fourteen years, is not secured by a safety belt or a child restraint system shall be punishable with a fine of one thousand rupees.

Section 194C. Penalty for violation of safety measures for motor cycle drivers and pillion riders.

Whoever drives a motor cycle or causes or allows a motor cycle to be driven in contravention of the provisions of section 128 or the rules or regulations made thereunder shall be punishable with a fine of one thousand rupees and he shall be disqualified for holding licence for a period of three months.

Section 194D. Penalty for not wearing protective headgear.

Whoever drives a motor cycle or causes or allows a motor cycle to be driven in contravention of the provisions of section 129 or the rules or regulations made thereunder shall be punishable with a fine of one thousand rupees and he shall be disqualified for holding licence for a period of three months.

Section 194E. Failure to allow free passage to emergency vehicles.

Whoever while driving a motor vehicle fails to draw to the side of the road, on the approach of a fire service vehicle or of an ambulance or other emergency vehicle as may be specified by the State Government, shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months, or with a fine of ten thousand rupees or with both.

Section 194F. Use of horns and silence zones.

Whoever-
(a) while driving a motor vehicle-

(i) sounds the horn needlessly or continuously or more than necessary to ensure safety, or
(ii) sounds the horn in an area with a traffic sign prohibiting the use of a horn, or

(b) drives a motor vehicle which makes use of a cut-out by which exhaust gases are released other than through the silencer,

shall be punishable with a fine of one thousand rupees and for a second or subsequent offence with a fine of two thousand rupees.

Section 195. Imposition of minimum fine under certain circumstances.

Omitted by Act The Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019 (32 of 2019), s. 80 (w.e.f. 1-9-2019).

Section 196. Driving uninsured vehicle.

Whoever drives a motor vehicle or causes or allows a motor vehicle to be driven in contravention of the provisions of section 146 shall be punishable for the first offence with imprisonment which may extend to three months, or with fine of two thousand rupees, or with both, and for a subsequent offence shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three months, or with fine of four thousand rupees, or with both.

Section 197. Taking vehicle without authority.

(1) Whoever takes and drives away any motor vehicle without having either the consent of the owner thereof or other lawful authority shall be punishable with imprisonment which may extend to three months or with fine of five thousand rupees, or with both.
Provided that no person shall be convicted under this section if the Court is satisfied that such person acted in the reasonable belief that he had lawful authority or in the reasonable belief that the owner would in the circumstances of the case have given his consent if he had been asked therefor.

(2) Whoever, unlawfully by force or threat of force or by any other form of intimidation, seizes or exercises control of a motor vehicle, shall be punishable with imprisonment which may extend to three months, or with fine of five thousand rupees, or with both.

(3) Whoever attempts to commit any of the acts referred to in sub-section (1) or sub-section (2) in relation to any motor vehicle, or abets the commission of any such act, shall also be deemed to have committed an offence under sub-section (1) or, as the case may be, sub-section (2).

Section 198. Unauthorised interference with vehicle.

Whoever otherwise than with lawful authority or reasonable excuse enters or mounts any stationary motor vehicle or tampers with the brake or any part of the mechanism of a motor vehicle shall be punishable with fine of one thousand rupees.

Section 198A. Failure to comply with standards for road design, construction and maintenance.

(1) Any designated authority, contractor, consultant or concessionaire responsible for the design or construction or maintenance of the safety standards of the road shall follow such design, construction and maintenance standards, as may be prescribed by the Central Government from time to time.

(2) Where failure on the part of the designated authority, contractor, consultant or concessionaire responsible under sub-section (1) to comply with standards for road design, construction and maintenance, results in death or disability, such authority or contractor or concessionaire shall be punishable with a fine which may extend to one lakh rupees and the same shall be paid to the Fund constituted under section 164B.

(3) For the purposes of sub-section (2), the court shall in particular have regard to the following matters, namely:-
(a) the characteristics of the road, and the nature and type of traffic which was reasonably expected to use it as per the design of road;

(b) the standard of maintenance norms applicable for a road of that character and use by such traffic;

(d) whether the designated authority responsible for the maintenance of the road knew, or could reasonably have been expected to know, that the condition of the part of the road to which the action relates was likely to cause danger to the road users;

(e) whether the designated authority responsible for the maintenance of the road could not reasonably have been expected to repair that part of the road before the cause of action arose;

(f) whether adequate warning notices through road signs, of its condition had been displayed; and

(g) such other matters as may be prescribed by the Central Government.

Explanation-
For the purposes of this section, the term “contractor” shall include sub-contractors and all such persons who are responsible for any stage in the design, construction and maintenance of a stretch of road.

Section 199. Offences by companies.

(1) Where an offence under this Act has been committed by a company, every person who at the time the offence was committed, was in charge of, and was responsible to, the company, for the conduct of the business of the company, as well as the company, shall be deemed to be guilty of the contravention and shall be liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly:
Provided that nothing in this sub-section shall render any such person liable to any punishment provided in this Act, if he proves that the offence was committed without his knowledge or that he exercised all due diligence to prevent the commission of such offence.

(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), where an offence under this Act has been committed by a company, and it is proved that the offence was committed with the consent or connivance of, or is attributable to any neglect on the part of any director, manager, secretary or other officer of the company, such director, manager, secretary or other officer shall also be deemed to be guilty of that offence and shall be liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly.

Explanation-
For the purposes of this section-
(a) “company” means any body corporate and includes a firm or other association of individuals; and
(b) “director”, in relation to a firm, means a partner in the firm.

Section 199A. Offences by juveniles.

(1) Where an offence under this Act has been committed by a juvenile, the guardian of such juvenile or the owner of the motor vehicle shall be deemed to be guilty of the contravention and shall be liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly:
Provided that nothing in this sub-section shall render such guardian or owner liable to any punishment provided in this Act, if he proves that the offence was committed without his knowledge or that he exercised all due diligence to prevent the commission of such offence.

Explanation-
For the purposes of this section, the Court shall presume that the use of the motor vehicle by the juvenile was with the consent of the guardian of such juvenile or the owner of the motor vehicle, as the case may be.

(2) In addition to the penalty under sub-section (1), such guardian or owner shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years and with a fine of twenty-five thousand rupees.

(3) The provisions of sub-section (1) and sub-section (2) shall not apply to such guardian or owner if the juvenile committing the offence had been granted a learner’s licence under section 8 or a driving licence and was operating a motor vehicle which such juvenile was licensed to operate.

(4) Where an offence under this Act has been committed by a juvenile, the registration of the motor vehicle used in the commission of the offence shall be cancelled for a period of twelve months.

(5) Where an offence under this Act has been committed by a juvenile, then, notwithstanding section 4 or section 7, such juvenile shall not be eligible to be granted a driving licence under section 9 or a learner’s licence under section 8 until such juvenile has attained the age of twenty-five years.

(6) Where an offence under this Act has been committed by a juvenile, then such juvenile shall be punishable with such fines as provided in the Act while any custodial sentence may be modified as per the provisions of the Juvenile Justice Act, 2000 (56 of 2000).

Section 199B. Revision of fines.

The fines as provided in this Act shall be increased by such amount not exceeding ten per cent. in value of the existing fines, on an annual basis on 1st day of April of each year from the date of commencement of the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019 (32 of 2018), as may be notified by the Central Government.

Section 200. Composition of certain offences.

(1) Any offence whether committed before or after the commencement of this Act punishable under section 177, section 178, section 179, section 180, section 181, section 182, sub-section (1) or sub-section (3) or sub-section (4) of section 182A, section 182B, sub-section (1) or sub-section (2) of section 183, section 184 only to the extent of use of handheld communication devices, section 186, section 189, sub-section (2) of section 190, section 192, section 192A, section 194, section 194A, section 194B, section 194C, section 194D, section 194E, section 194F, section 196, section 198, may either before or after the institution of the prosecution, be compounded by such officers or authorities and for such amount as the State Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, specify in this behalf:

Provided that the State Government may, in addition to such amount, require the offender to undertake a period of community service.

(2) Where an offence has been compounded under sub-section (1), the offender, if in custody, shall be discharged and no further proceedings shall be taken against him in respect of such offence:

Provided that notwithstanding compounding under this section, such offence shall be deemed to be a previous commission of the same offence for the purpose of determining whether a subsequent offence has been committed:

Provided further that compounding of an offence will not discharge the offender from proceedings under sub-section (4) of section 206 or the obligation to complete a driver refresher training course, or the obligation to complete community service, if applicable.

Section 201. Penalty for causing obstruction to free flow of traffic.

(1) Whoever keeps a vehicle on any public place, in such a manner, so as to cause impediment to the free flow of traffic, shall be liable for penalty up to five hundred rupees, so long as it remains in that position:

Provided that the vehicle involved in accidents shall be liable for penalty only from the time of completion of inspection formalities under the law.

Provided further that where the vehicle is removed by an agency authorised by the Central Government or State Government, removal charges shall be recovered from the vehicle owner or person in-charge of such vehicle.

(2) Penalties or removal charges under this section shall be recovered by such officer or authority as the State Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, authorise.

(3) sub-section (1) shall not apply where the motor vehicle has suffered an unforeseen breakdown and is in the process of being removed.

Explanation-
For the purposes of this section, “removal charges” includes any costs involved in the removal of the motor vehicle from one location to another and also includes any costs related to storage of such motor vehicle.

Section 202. Power to arrest without warrant.

(1) A police officer in uniform may arrest without warrant any person who in his presence commits an offence punishable under section 184 or section 185 or section 197:

Provided that any person so arrested in connection with an offence punishable under section 185 shall, within two hours of his arrest, be subjected to a medical examination referred to in sections 203 and 204 by a registered medical practitioner failing which he shall be released from custody.

(2) A police officer in uniform may arrest without warrant any person, who has committed an offence under this Act, if such person refuses to give his name and address.

(3) A police officer arresting without warrant the driver of a motor vehicle shall if the circumstances so require take or cause to be taken any steps he may consider proper for the temporary disposal of the vehicle.

Section 203. Breath tests.

(1) A police officer in uniform or an officer of the Motor Vehicles Department, as may be authorised in this behalf by that Department, may require any person driving or attempting to drive a motor vehicle in a public place to provide one or more specimens of breath for breath test there or nearby, if such police officer or officer has any reasonable cause to suspect him of having committed an offence under section 185:

Provided that requirement for breath test shall be made (unless, it is made) as soon as reasonably practicable after the commission of such offence.

(2) If a motor vehicle is involved in an accident in a public place and a police officer in uniform has any reasonable cause to suspect that the person who was driving the motor vehicle at the time of the accident, had alcohol in his blood or that he was driving under the influence of a drug referred to in section 185 he may require the person so driving the motor vehicle, to provide a specimen of his breath for a breath test:-
(a) in the case of a person who is at a hospital as an indoor patient, at the hospital,
(b) in the case of any other person, either at or near the place where the requirement is made, or, if the police officer thinks fit, at a police station specified by the police officer:

Provided that a person shall not be required to provide such a specimen while at a hospital as an indoor patient if the registered medical practitioner in immediate charge of his case is not first notified of the proposal to make the requirement or objects to the provision of a specimen on the ground that its provision or the requirement to provide it would be prejudicial to the proper care or treatment of the patient.

(3) If it appears to a police officer in uniform, in consequence of a breath test carried out by him on any person under sub-section (1) or sub-section (2), that the device by means of which the test has been carried out indicates the presence of alcohol in the person’s blood, the police officer may arrest that person without warrant except while that person is at a hospital as an indoor patient.

(4) If a person, required by a police officer under sub-section (1) or sub-section (2) to provide a specimen of breath for a breath test, refuses or fails to do so and the police officer has reasonable cause to suspect him of having alcohol in his blood, the police officer may arrest him without warrant except while he is at a hospital as an indoor patient.

(5) A person arrested under this section shall while at a police station, be given an opportunity to provide a specimen of breath for a breath test there.

(6) The results of a breath test made in pursuance of the provisions of this section shall be admissible in evidence.

Explanation-
For the purposes of this section, “breath test”, means a test for the purpose of obtaining an indication of the presence of alcohol in a person’s blood carried out, on one or more specimens of breath provided by that person, by means of a device of a type approved by the Central Government, by notification in the Official Gazette, for the purpose of such a test.

Section 204. Laboratory test.

(1) A person, who has been arrested under section 203 may, while at a police station, be required by a police officer to provide to such registered medical practitioner as may be produced by such police officer, a specimen of his blood for a Laboratory test,-
(a) it appears to the police officer that the device, by means of which breath test was taken in relation to such person, indicates the presence of alcohol in the blood of such person, or
(b) such person, when given the opportunity to submit to a breath test, has refused, omitted or failed to do so:

Provided that where the person required to provide such specimen is a female and the registered medical practitioner produced by such police officer is a male medical practitioner, the specimen shall be taken only in the presence of a female, whether a medical practitioner or not.

(2) A person while at a hospital as an indoor patient may be required by a police officer to provide at the hospital a specimen of his blood for a laboratory test:-
(a) if it appears to the police officer that the device by means of which test is carried out in relation to the breath of such person indicates the presence of alcohol in the blood of such person, or
(b) if the person having been required, whether at the hospital or elsewhere, to provide a specimen of breath for a breath test, has refused, omitted or failed to do so and a police officer has reasonable cause to suspect him of having alcohol in his blood:

Provided that a person shall not be required to provide a specimen of his blood for a laboratory test under this sub-section if the registered medical practitioner in immediate charge of his case is not first notified of the proposal to make the requirement or objects to the provision of such specimen on the ground that its provision or the requirement to provide it would be prejudicial to the proper care or treatment of the patient.

(3) The results of a laboratory test made in pursuance of this section shall be admissible in evidence.

Explanation-
For the purposes of this section, “laboratory test” means the analysis of a specimen of blood made at a laboratory established, maintained or recognised by the Central Government or a State Government.

Section 205. Presumption of unfitness to drive.

In any proceeding for an offence punishable under section 185 if it is proved that the accused, when requested by a police officer at any time so to do, had refused, omitted or failed to consent to the taking of or providing a specimen of his breath for a breath test or a specimen of his blood for a laboratory test, his refusal, omission or failure may, unless reasonable cause therefor is shown, be presumed to be a circumstance supporting any evidence given on behalf of the prosecution, or rebutting any evidence given on behalf of the defence, with respect to his condition at that time.

Section 206. Power of police officer to impound document.

(1) Any police officer or other person authorised in this behalf by the State Government may, if he has reason to believe that any identification mark carried on a motor vehicle or any licence, permit, certificate of registration, certificate of insurance or other document produced to him by the driver or person in charge of a motor vehicle is a false document within the meaning of section 464 of the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860), seize the mark or document and call upon the driver or owner of the vehicle to account for his possession of or the presence in the vehicle of such mark or document.

(2) Any police officer or other person authorised in this behalf by the State Government may, if he has reason to believe that the driver of a motor vehicle who is charged with any offence under this Act may abscond or otherwise avoid the service of a summons, seize any licence held by such driver and forward it to the Court taking cognizance of the offence and the said Court shall on the first appearance of such driver before it, return the licence to him in exchange for the temporary acknowledgment given under sub-section (3).

(3) A police officer or other person seizing a licence under sub-section (2) shall give to the person surrendering the licence a temporary acknowledgment therefor and such acknowledgment shall authorise the holder to drive until the licence has been returned to him or until such date as may be specified by the police officer or other person in the acknowledgment, whichever is earlier:

Provided that if any magistrate, police officer or other person authorised by the State Government in this behalf is, on an application made to him, satisfied that the licence cannot be, or has not been, returned to the holder thereof before the date specified in the acknowledgment for any reason for which the holder is not responsible, the magistrate, police officer or other person, as the case may be, may extend the period of authorization to drive to such date as may be specified in the acknowledgment.

Section 207. Power to detain vehicles used without certificate of registration permit, etc.

(1) Any police officer or other person authorised in this behalf by the State Government may, if he has reason to believe that a motor vehicle has been or is being used in contravention of the provisions of section 3 or section 4 or section 39 or without the permit required by sub-section (1) of section 66 or in contravention of any condition of such permit relating to the route on which or the area in which or the purpose for which the vehicle may be used, seize and detain the vehicle, in the prescribed manner and for this purpose take or cause to be taken any steps he may consider proper for the temporary safe custody of the vehicle:

Provided that where any such officer or person has reason to believe that a motor vehicle has been or is being used in contravention of section 3 or section 4 or without the permit required by sub-section (1) of section 66 he may, instead of seizing the vehicle, seize the certificate of registration of the vehicle and shall issue an acknowledgment in respect thereof.

(2) Where a motor vehicle has been seized and detained under sub-section (1), the owner or person in charge of the motor vehicle may apply to the transport authority or any officer authorised in this behalf by the State Government together with the relevant documents for the release of the vehicle and such authority or officer may, after verification of such documents, by order release the vehicle subject to such conditions as the authority or officer may deem fit to impose.

Section 208. Summary disposal of cases.

(1) The Court taking cognizance of any offence (other than an offence which the Central Government may by rules specify in this behalf) under this Act,-
(i) may, if the offence is an offence punishable with imprisonment under this Act; and
(ii) shall, in any other case,

state upon the summons to be served on the accused person that he-
(a) may appear by pleader or in person; or
(b) may, by a specified date prior to the hearing of the charge, plead guilty to the charge and remit to the Court, by money order, such sum (not exceeding the maximum fine that may be imposed for the offence) as the Court may specify, and the plea of guilt indicated in the money order coupon itself:

Provided that the Court shall, in the case of any of the offences referred to in sub-section (2), state upon the summons that the accused person, if he pleads guilty, shall so plead in the manner specified in clause (b) and shall forward his driving licence to the Court with his letter containing such plea.

(2) Where the offence dealt with in accordance with sub-section (1) is an offence specified by the Central Government by rules for the purposes of this sub-section, the Court shall, if the accused person pleads guilty to the charge and forward his driving licence to the Court with the letter containing his plea, make an endorsement of such conviction on his driving licence.

(3) Where an accused person pleads guilty and remits the sum specified and has complied with the provisions of sub-section (1), or as the case may be, sub-sections (1) and (2), no further proceedings in respect of the offence shall be taken against him nor shall he be liable, notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Act, to be disqualified for holding or obtaining a licence by reason of his having pleaded guilty.

Section 209. Restriction on conviction.

No person prosecuted for an offence punishable under section 183 or section 184 shall be convicted unless-
(a) he was warned at the time the offence was committed that the question of prosecuting him would be taken into consideration, or

(b) within fourteen days from the commission of the offence, a notice specifying the nature of the offence and the time and place where it is alleged to have been committed was served on or sent by registered post to him or the person registered as the owner of the vehicle at the time of the commission of the offence, or

Provided that nothing, in this section shall apply where the Court is satisfied that-
(a) the failure to serve the notice or summons referred to in this sub-section was due to the fact that neither the name and address of the accused nor the name and address of the registered owner of the vehicle could with reasonable diligence have been ascertained in time, or

(b) such failure was brought about by the conduct of the accused.

Section 210. Courts to send intimation about conviction.

Every Court by which any person holding a driving licence is convicted of an offence under this Act or of an offence in the commission of which a motor vehicle was used, shall send intimation to-
(a) the licensing authority which issued the driving licence, and
(b) the licensing authority by whom the licence was last renewed,

and every such intimation shall state the name and address of the holder of the licence, the licence number, the date of issue and renewal of the same, the nature of the offence, the punishment awarded for the same and such other particulars as may be prescribed.

Section 210A. Power of State Government to increase penalties.

Subject to conditions made by the Central Government, a State Government, shall, by notification in the Official Gazette, specify a multiplier, not less than one and not greater than ten, to be applied to each fine under this Act and such modified fine, shall be in force in such State and different multipliers may be applied to different classes of motor vehicles as may be classified by the State Government for the purpose of this section.

Section 210B. Penalty for offence committed by an enforcing authority.

Any authority that is empowered to enforce the provisions of this Act shall, if such authority commits an offence under this Act, shall be liable for twice the penalty corresponding to that offence under this Act.

Section 210C. Power of Central Government to make rules.

The Central Government may make rules for-
(a) design, construction and maintenance standards for National highways;
(b) such other factors as may be taken into account by the Court under sub-section (3) of section
198A;
(c) any other matter which is, or has to be, prescribed by the Central Government.

Section 210D. Power of State Government to make rules.

The State Government may make rules for design, construction and maintenance standards for roads other than national highways, and for any other matter which is, or may be, prescribed by the State Government.

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Chapter 13 of Motor Vehicles Act