Motor Vehicles Act 04 Registration of Motor Vehicles

A 'Bare act' is the actual legislation passed by the Parliament of India. Generally, an act sets out the high level legal and policy principles applicable to the subject matter of the law.

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The Motor Vehicles Act, 1988

Chapter IV – Registration of Motor Vehicles

Section 39 – Necessity for registration

No person shall drive any motor vehicle and no owner of a motor vehicle shall cause or permit the vehicle to be driven in any public place or in any other place unless the vehicle is registered in accordance with this Chapter and the certificate of registration of the vehicle has not been suspended or cancelled and the vehicle carries a registration mark displayed in the prescribed manner: Provided that nothing in this section shall apply to a motor vehicle in possession of a dealer subject to such conditions as may be prescribed by the Central Government.

Section 40 – Registration, where to be made

Subject to the provisions of section 42, section 43 and section 60, every owner of a motor vehicle shall cause the vehicle to be registered by a registering authority in whose jurisdiction he has the residence or place of business where the vehicle is normally kept.

Section 41 – Registration, how to be made

1. An application by or on behalf of the owner of a motor vehicle for registration shall be in such form and shall be accompanied by such documents, particulars and information and shall be made within such period as may be prescribed by the Central Government: Provided that where a motor vehicle is jointly owned by more persons than one, the application shall be made by one of them on behalf of all the owners and such applicant shall be deemed to be the owner of the motor vehicle for the purposes of this Act.
2. An application referred to in sub – section (1) shall be accompanied by such fee as may be prescribed by the Central Government.
3. The registering authority shall issue to the owner of a motor vehicle registered by it a certificate of registration in such form and containing such particulars and information and in such manner as may be prescribed by the Central Government.
4. In addition to the other particulars required to be included in the certificate of registration, it shall also specify the type of the motor vehicle, being a type as the Central Government may, having regard to the design construction and use of the motor vehicle, by notification in the Official Gazette, specify.
5. The registering authority shall enter the particulars of the certificate referred to in sub – section (3) in a register to be maintained in such form and manner as may be prescribed by the Central Government.
6. The registering authority shall assign to the vehicle, for display thereon, a distinguishing mark (in this Act referred to as the registration mark) consisting of one of the groups of such of those letters and followed by such letters and figures as are allotted to the State by the Central Government from time to time by notification in the Official Gazette, and displayed and shown on the motor vehicle in such form and in such manner as may be prescribed by the Central Government.
7. A certificate of registration issued under sub – section (3), whether before or after the commencement of this Act, in respect of a motor vehicle, other than a transport vehicle, shall, subject to the provisions contained in this Act, be valid only for a period of fifteen years from the date of issue of such certificate and shall be renewable.
8. An application by or on behalf of the owner of a motor vehicle, other than a transport vehicle, for the renewal of a certificate of registration shall be made within such period and in such form, containing such particulars and information as may be prescribed by the Central Government.
9. An application referred to in sub – section (8) shall be accompanied by such fee as may be prescribed by the Central Government.
10. Subject to the provisions of section 56, the registering authority may, on receipt of an application under sub – section (8), renew the certificate of registration for a period of five years and intimate the fact to the original registering authority, if it is not the original registering authority.
11. If the owner fails to make an application under sub – section (1), or, as the case may be, under sub – section (8) within the period prescribed, the registering authority may, having regard to the circumstances of the case, require the owner to pay, in lieu of any action that may be taken against him under section 177, such amount not exceeding one hundred rupees as may be prescribed under sub – section (13): Provided that action under section 177 shall be taken against the owner where the owner fails to pay the said amount.
12. Where the owner has paid the amount under sub – section (11), no action shall be taken against him under section 177.
13. For the purposes of sub – section (11), the State Government may prescribe different amounts having regard to the period of delay on the part of the owner in making an application under sub – section (1) or sub – section (8).
14. An application for the issue of a duplicate certificate of registration shall be made to the last registering authority in such form, containing such particulars and information along with such fee as may be prescribed by the Central Government.

Comments In exercise of the powers conferred by sub – section (4) of section 41 of the Act the Central Government has specified the type of motor vehicles as mentioned in columns 1 and 2 of the Table below –

In exercise of the powers conferred by sub – section (6) of section 41 of the Act the Central Government has allotted to the States and Union Territories the groups of letters for the use as registration mark as given in the table below –

Section 42 – Special provision for registration of motor vehicles of diplomatic officers, etc

1. Where an application for registration of a motor vehicle is made under sub – section (1) of section 41 by or on behalf of any diplomatic officer or consular officer, then, notwithstanding anything contained in sub – section (3) or sub – section (6) of that section, the registering authority shall register the vehicle in such manner and in accordance with such procedure as may be provided by rules made in this behalf by the Central Government under sub – section (3) and shall assign to the vehicle for display thereon a special registration mark in accordance with the provisions contained in those rules and shall issue a certificate (hereafter in this section referred to as the certificate of registration) that the vehicle has been registered under this section; and any vehicle so registered shall not, so long as it remains the property of any diplomatic officer or consular officer, require to be registered otherwise under this Act.
2. If any vehicle registered under this section ceases to be the property of any diplomatic officer or consular officer, the certificate of registration issued under this section shall also cease to be effective, and the provisions of sections 39 and 40 shall thereupon apply.
3. The Central Government may make rules for the registration of motor vehicles belonging to diplomatic officers and consular officers regarding the procedure to be followed by the registering authority for registering such vehicles, the form in which the certificates of registration of such vehicles are to be issued, the manner in which such certificates of registration are to be sent to the owners of the vehicles and the special registration marks to be assigned to such vehicles.
4. For the purposes of this section, “diplomatic officer” or “consular officer” means any person who is recognised as such by the Central Government and if any question arises as to whether a person is or is not such an officer, the decision of the Central Government thereon shall be final.

Section 43 – Temporary registration

1. Notwithstanding anything contained in section 40 the owner of a motor vehicle may apply to any registering authority or other prescribed authority to have the vehicle temporarily registered in the prescribed manner and for the issue in the prescribed manner of a temporary certificate of registration and a temporary registration mark.
2. A registration made under this section shall be valid only for a period not exceeding one month, and shall not be renewable: Provided that where a motor vehicle so registered is a chassis to which a body has not been attached and the same is detained in a workshop beyond the said period of one month for being fitted with a body or any unforeseen circumstances beyond the control of the owner, the period may, on payment of such fees, if any, as may be prescribed, be extended by such further period or periods as the registering authority or other prescribed authority, as the case may be, may allow.
3. In a case where the motor vehicle is held under hire – purchase agreement, lease or hypothecation, the registering authority or other prescribed authority shall issue a temporary certificate of registration of such vehicle, which shall incorporate legibly and prominently the full name and address of the person with whom such agreement has been entered into by the owner.

Section 44 – Production of vehicle at the time of registration

The registering authority shall before proceeding to register a motor vehicle or renew the certificate of registration in respect of a motor vehicle, other than a transport vehicle, require the person applying for registration of the vehicle or, as the case may be, for renewing the certificate of registration to produce the vehicle either before itself or such authority as the State Government may by order appoint in order that the registering authority may satisfy itself that the particulars contained in the application are true and that the vehicle complies with the requirements of this Act and of the rules made thereunder.

Section 45 – Refusal of registration or renewal of the certificate of registration

The registering authority may, by order, refuse to register any motor vehicle, or renew the certificate of registration in respect of a motor vehicle (other than a transport vehicle), if in either case, the registering authority has reason to believe that it is a stolen motor vehicle or the vehicle is mechanically defective or fails to comply with the requirements of this Act or of the rules made thereunder, or if the applicant fails to furnish particulars of any previous registration of the vehicle or furnishes inaccurate particulars in the application for registration of the vehicle or, as the case may be, for renewal of the certificate or registration thereof and the registering authority shall furnish the applicant whose vehicle is refused registration, or whose application for renewal of the certificate of registration is refused, a copy of such order, together with the reasons for such refusal.

Section 46 – Effectiveness in India of registration

Subject to the provisions of section 47, a motor vehicle registered in accordance with this Chapter in any State shall not require to be registered elsewhere in India and a certificate of registration issued or in force under this Act in respect of such vehicle shall be effective throughout India.

Section 47 – Assignment of new registration mark on removal to another State

1. When a motor vehicle registered in one State has been kept in another State, for a period exceeding twelve months, the owner of the vehicle shall, within such period and in such form containing such particulars as may be prescribed by the Central Government, apply to the registering authority, within whose jurisdiction the vehicle then is, for the assignment of a new registration mark and shall present the certificate of registration to that registering authority: that an application under this sub – section shall be accompanied –
   1. by the no objection certificate obtained under section 48, or
   2. in a case where no such certificate has been obtained, by –
      1. the receipt obtained under sub – section (2) of section 48; or
      2. the postal acknowledgement received by the owner of the vehicle if he has sent an application in this behalf by registered post acknowledgement due to the registering authority referred to in section 48, together with a declaration that he has not received any communication from such authority refusing to grant such certificate or requiring him to comply with any direction subject to which such certificate may be granted: Provided further that, in a case where a motor vehicle is held under a hire – purchase, lease or hypothecation agreement, an application under this sub – section shall be accompanied by a no objection certificate from the person with whom such agreement has been entered into, and the provisions of section 51, so far as may be, regarding obtaining of such certificate from the person with whom such agreement has been entered into, shall apply.
2. The registering authority, to which application is made under sub – section (1), shall after making such verification, as it thinks fit, of the returns, if any, received under section 62, assign the vehicle a registration mark as specified in sub – section (6) of section 41 to be displayed and shown thereafter on the vehicle and shall enter the mark upon the certificate of registration before returning it to the applicant and shall, in communication with the registering authority by whom the vehicle was previously registered, arrange for the transfer of the registration of the vehicle from the records of that registering authority to its own records.
3. Where a motor vehicle is held under a hire – purchase or lease or hypothecation agreement, the registering authority shall, after assigning the vehicle a registration mark under sub – section (2), inform the person whose name has been specified in the certificate of registration as the person with whom the registered owner has entered into the hire – purchase or lease or hypothecation agreement (by sending to such person a notice by registered post acknowledgement due at the address of such person entered in the certificate of registration the fact of assignment of the said registration mark).
4. A State Government may make rules under section 65 requiring the owner of a motor vehicle not registered within the State, which is brought into or is for the time being in the State, to furnish to the prescribed authority in the State such information with respect to the motor vehicle and its registration as may be prescribed.
5. If the owner fails to make an application under sub – section (1) within the period prescribed, the registering authority may, having regard to the circumstances of the case, require the owner to pay, in lieu of any action that may be taken against him under section 177, such amount not exceeding one hundred rupees as may be prescribed under sub – section (7): Provided that action under section 177 shall be taken against the owner where the owner fails to pay the said amount.
6. Where the owner has paid the amount under sub – section (5), no action shall be taken against him under section 177.
7. For the purposes of sub – section (5), the State Government may prescribe different amounts having regard to the period of delay on the part of the owner in making an application under sub – section (1).

Section 48 – No objection certificate

1. The owner of a motor vehicle when applying for the assignment of a new registration mark under sub – section (1) of section 47, or where the transfer of a motor vehicle is to be effected in a State other than the State of its registration, the transferor of such vehicle when reporting the transfer under sub – section (1) of section 50, shall make an application in such form and in such manner as may be prescribed by the Central Government to the registering authority by which the vehicle was registered for the issue of a certificate (hereafter in this section referred to as the no objection certificate), to the effect that the registering authority has no objection for assigning a new registration mark to the vehicle or, as the case may be, for entering the particulars of the transfer of ownership in the certificate of registration.
2. The registering authority shall, on receipt of an application under sub – section (1), issue a receipt in such form as may be prescribed by the Central Government.
3. On receipt of an application under sub – section (1), the registering authority may, after making such inquiry and requiring the applicant to comply with such directions as it deems fit and within thirty days of the receipt thereof, by order in writing, communicate to the applicant that it has granted or refused to grant the no objection certificate: Provided that a registering authority shall not refuse to grant the no objection certificate unless it has recorded in writing the reasons for doing so and a copy of the same has been communicated to the applicant.
4. Where within a period of thirty days referred to in sub – section (3), the registering authority does not refuse to grant the no objection certificate or does not communicate the refusal to the applicant, the registering authority shall be deemed to have granted the no objection certificate.
5. Before granting of refusing to grant the no objection certificate, the registering authority shall obtain a report in writing from the police that no case relating to the theft of the motor vehicle concerned has been reported or is pending, verify whether all the amounts due to Government including road tax in respect of that motor vehicle have been paid and take into account such other factors as may be prescribed by the Central Government.
6. The owner of the vehicle shall also inform at the earliest, in writing, the registering authority about the theft of his vehicle together with the name of the police station where the theft report was lodged, and the registering authority shall take into account such report while disposing of any application for no objection certification, registration, transfer of ownership or issue of duplicate registration certificate.

Section 49 – Change of residence or place of business

1. If the owner of a motor vehicle ceases to reside or have his place of business at the address recorded in the certificate of registration of the vehicle, he shall, within thirty days of any such change of address, intimate in such form accompanied by such documents as may be prescribed by the Central Government, his new address, to the registering authority by which the certificate of registration was issued, or, if the new address is within the jurisdiction of another registering authority, to that other registering authority, and shall at the same time forward the certificate of registration to the registering authority or, as the case may be, to the other registering authority in order that the new address may be entered therein.
2. If the owner of a motor vehicle fails to intimate his new address to the concerned registering authority within the period specified in sub – section (1), the registering authority may, having regard to the circumstances of the case, require the owner to pay, in lieu of any action that may be taken against him under section 177, such amount not exceeding one hundred rupees as may be prescribed under sub – section (4): Provided that action under section 177 shall be taken against the owner where he fails to pay the said amount.
3. Where a person has paid the amount under sub – section (2), no action shall be taken against him under section 177.
4. For the purposes of sub – section (2), a State Government may prescribe different amounts having regard to the period of delay in intimating his new address.
5. On receipt of intimation under sub – section (1), the registering authority may, after making such verification as it may think fit, cause the new address to be entered in the certificate of registration.
6. A registering authority other than the original registering authority making any such entry shall communicate the altered address to the original registering authority.
7. Nothing in sub – section (1) shall apply where the change of the address recorded in the certificate of registration is due to a temporary absence not intended to exceed six months in duration or where the motor vehicle is neither used nor removed from the address recorded in the certificate of registration.

Section 50 – Transfer of ownership

1. Where the ownership of any motor vehicle registered under this Chapter is transferred –
   1. the transferor shall –
      1. in the case of a vehicle registered within the same State, within fourteen days of the transfer, report the fact of transfer, in such form with such documents and in such manner, as may be prescribed by the Central Government to the registering authority within whose jurisdiction the transfer is to be effected and shall simultaneously send a copy of the said report to the transferee; and
      2. in the case of a vehicle registered outside the State, within forty – five days of the transfer, forward to the registering authority referred to in sub – clause (i) –
         1. the no objection certificate obtained under section 48; or
         2. in a case where no such certificate has been obtained –
            1. the receipt obtained under sub – section (2) of section 48; or
            2. the postal acknowledgement received by the transferee if he has sent an application in this behalf by registered post acknowledgement due to the registering authority referred to in section 48, together with a declaration that he has not received any communication from such authority refusing to grant such certificate or requiring him to comply with any direction subject to which such certificate may be granted;
   2. the transferee shall, within thirty days of the transfer, report the transfer to the registering authority within whose jurisdiction he has the residence or place of business where the vehicle is normally kept, as the case may be, and shall forward the certificate of registration to that registering authority together with the prescribed fee and a copy of the report received by him from the transferor in order that particulars of the transfer of ownership may be entered in the certificate of registration.
2. Where –
   1. the person in whose name a motor vehicle stands registered dies, or
   2. a motor vehicle has been purchased or acquired at a public auction conducted by, or on behalf of, Government, the person succeeding to the possession of the vehicle or, as the case may be, who has purchased or acquired the motor vehicle, shall make an application for the purpose of transferring the ownership of the vehicle in his name, to the registering authority in whose jurisdiction he has the residence or place of business where the vehicle is normally kept, as the case may be, in such manner, accompanied with such fee, and within such period as may be prescribed by the Central Government.
3. If the transferor or the transferee fails to report to the registering authority the fact of transfer within the period specified in clause (a) or clause (b) of sub – section (1), as the case may be, or if the person who is required to make an application under sub – section (2) (hereafter in this section referred to as the other person) fails to make such application within the period prescribed, the registering authority may, having regard to the circumstances of the case, require the transferor or the transferee, or the other person, as the case may be, to pay, in lieu of any action that may be taken against him under section 177 such amount not exceeding one hundred rupees as may be prescribed under sub – section (5): Provided that action under section 177 shall be taken against the transferor or the transferee or the other person, as the case may be, where he fails to pay the said amount.
4. Where a person has paid the amount under sub – section (3), no action shall be taken against him under section 177.
5. For the purposes of sub – section (3), a State Government may prescribe different amounts having regard to the period of delay on the part of the transferor or the transferee in reporting the fact of transfer of ownership of the motor vehicle or of the other person in making the application under sub – section (2).
6. On receipt of a report under sub – section (1), or an application under sub – section (2), the registering authority may cause the transfer of ownership to be entered in the certificate of registration.
7. A registering authority making any such entry shall communicate the transfer of ownership to the transferor and to the original registering authority, if it is not the original registering authority.

Section 51 – Special provisions regarding motor vehicle subject to hire – purchase agreement, etc

1. Where an application for registration of a motor vehicle which is held under a hire – purchase, lease or hypothecation agreement (hereafter in this section referred to as the said agreement) is made, the registering authority shall make an entry in the certificate of registration regarding the existence of the said agreement.
2. Where the ownership of any motor vehicle registered under this Chapter is transferred and the transferee enters into the said agreement with any person, the last registering authority shall, on receipt of an application in such form as the Central Government may prescribe from the parties to the said agreement, make an entry as to the existence of the said agreement in the certificate of registration and an intimation in this regard shall be sent to the original registering authority if the last registering authority is not the original registering authority.
3. Any entry made under sub – section (1) or sub – section (2), may be cancelled by the last registering authority on proof of the termination of the said agreement by the parties concerned on an application being made in such form as the Central Government may prescribe and an intimation in this behalf shall be sent to the original registering authority if the last registering authority is not the original registering authority.
4. No entry regarding the transfer of ownership of any motor vehicle which is held under the said agreement shall be made in the certificate of registration except with the written consent of the person whose name has been specified in the certificate of registration as the person with whom the registered owner has entered into the said agreement.
5. Where the person whose name has been specified in the certificate of registration as the person with whom the registered owner has entered into the said agreement, satisfies the registering authority that he has taken possession of the vehicle from the registered owner owing to the default of the registered owner under the provisions of the said agreement and that the registered owner refuses to deliver the certificate of registration or has absconded, such authority may, after giving the registered owner an opportunity to make such representation as he may wish to make (by sending to him a notice by registered post acknowledgement due at his address entered in the certificate of registration) and notwithstanding that the certificate of registration is not produced before it, cancel the certificate and issue a fresh certificate of registration in the name of the person with whom the registered owner has entered into the said agreement from the registered owner owing to the default of the registered owner under the provisions of the said agreement and that the registered owner refuses to deliver the certificate of registration or has absconded, such authority may, after giving the registered owner an opportunity to make such representation as he may wish to make (by sending to him a notice by registered post acknowledgement due at his address entered in the certificate of registration) and notwithstanding that the certificate of registration is not produced before it, cancel the certificate and issue a fresh certificate of registration in the name of the person with whom the registered owner has entered into the said agreement: Provided that a fresh certificate of registration shall not be issued in respect of a motor vehicle, unless such person pays the prescribed fee: Provided further that a fresh certificate of registration issued in respect of a motor vehicle, other than a transport vehicle, shall be valid only for the remaining period for which the certificate cancelled under this sub – section would have been in force.
6. The registered owner shall, before applying to the appropriate authority, for the renewal of a permit under section 81 or for the issue of duplicate certificate of registration under sub – section (14) of section 41, or for the assignment of a new registration mark under section 47, or removal of the vehicle to another State, or at the time of conversion of the vehicle from one class to another, or for issue of no objection certificate under section 48, or for change of residence or place of business under section 49, or for the alteration of the vehicle under section 52, make an application to the person with whom the registered owner has entered into the said agreement, (such person being hereafter in this section referred to as the financier) for the issue of a no objection certificate (hereafter in this section referred to as the certificate). Explanation For the purposes of this sub – section and sub – sections (8) and (9), “appropriate authority” in relation to any permit, means the authority which is authorised by this Act to renew such permit and, in relation to registration means the authority which is authorised by this Act to issue duplicate certificate of registration or to assign a new registration mark.
7. Within seven days of the receipt of an application under sub – section (6) the financier may issue, or refuse, for reasons which shall be recorded in writing communicated to the applicant, to issue, the certificate applied for, and where the financier fails to issue the certificate and also fails to communicate the reasons for refusal to issue the certificate to the applicant within the said period of seven days, the certificate applied for shall be deemed to have been issued by the financier.
8. The registered owner shall, while applying to the appropriate authority for the renewal of any permit under section 81, or for the issue of a duplicate certificate of registration under sub – section (14) of section 41, or while applying for assignment of a new registration mark under section 47, submit with such application the certificate, if any, obtained under sub – section (7) or, where no such certificate has been obtained, the communication received from the financier under that sub – section, or, as the case may be, a declaration that he has not received any communication from the financier within the period of seven days specified in that sub – section.
9. On receipt of an application for the renewal of any permit or for the issue of duplicate certificate of registration or for assignment of a new registration mark in respect of a vehicle which is held under the said agreement, the appropriate authority may, subject to the other provisions of this Act –
   1. in a case where the financier has refused to issue the certificate applied for, after giving the applicant an opportunity of being heard, either –
      1. renew or refuse to renew the permit, or
      2. issue or refuse to issue the duplicate certificate of registration, or
      3. assign or refuse to assign a new registration mark;
   2. in any other case –
      1. renew the permit, or
      2. issue duplicate certificate of registration, or
      3. assign a new registration mark.
10. A registering authority making an entry in the certificate of registration regarding –
    1. hire – purchase, lease or hypothecation agreement of a motor vehicle, or
    2. the cancellation under sub – section (3) of an entry, or
    3. recording transfer of ownership of motor vehicle, or
    4. any alteration in a motor vehicle, or
    5. suspension or cancellation of registration of a motor vehicle, or
    6. change of address, shall communicate by registered post acknowledgement due to the financier that such entry has been made.
11. A registering authority registering the new vehicle, or issuing the duplicate certificate of registration or a no objection certificate or a temporary certificate of registration, or issuing or renewing, a fitness certificate or substituting entries relating to another motor vehicle in the permit, shall intimate the financier of such transaction.
12. The registering authority where it is not the original registering authority, when making entry under sub – section (1) or sub – section (2), or cancelling the said entry under sub – section (3) or issuing the fresh certificate of registration under sub – section (5) shall communicate the same to the original registering authority.

Section 52 – Alteration in motor vehicle

1. No owner of a motor vehicle shall so alter the vehicle that the particulars contained in the certificate of registration are at variance with those originally specified by the manufacturer: Provided that where the owner of a motor vehicle makes modification of the engine, or any part thereof, of a vehicle for facilitating its operation by different type of fuel or source of energy including battery, compressed natural gas, solar power, liquid petroleum gas or any other fuel or source of energy, by fitment of a conversion kit, such modification shall be carried out subject to such conditions as may be prescribed: Provided further that the Central Government may prescribe specifications, conditions for approval, retro fitment and other related matters for such conversion kits: Provided also that the Central Government may grant exemption for alteration of vehicles in a manner other than specified above, for any specific purpose.
2. Notwithstanding anything contained in sub – section (1), a State Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, authorise, subject to such conditions as may be specified in the notification, and permit any person owning not less than ten transport vehicles to alter any vehicle owned by him so as to replace the engine thereof with engine of the same make and type, without the approval of registering authority.
3. Where any alteration has been made in motor vehicle without the approval of registering authority or by reason of replacement of its engine without such approval under sub – section (2), the owner of the vehicle shall, within fourteen days of the making of the alteration, report the alteration to the registering authority within whose jurisdiction he resides and shall forward the certificate of registration to that authority together with the prescribed fee in order that particulars of registration may be entered therein.
4. A registering authority other than the original registering authority making any such entry shall communicate the details of the entry to the original registering authority.
5. Subject to the provisions made under sub – sections (1), (2), (3) and (4), no person holding a vehicle under a hire – purchase agreement shall make any alteration to the vehicle except with the written consent of the registered owner.

Explanations

For the purposes of this section, “alteration” means a change in the structure of a vehicle which results in a change in its basic feature.

Section 53 – Suspension of registration

1. If any registering authority or other prescribed authority has reason to believe that any motor vehicle within its jurisdiction –
   1. is in such a condition that its use in a public place would constitute a danger to the public, or that it fails to comply with the requirements of this Act or of the rules made thereunder, or
   2. has been, or is being, used for hire or reward without a valid permit for being used as such, the authority may, after giving the owner an opportunity of making any representation he may wish to make (by sending to the owner a notice by registered post acknowledgement due at his address entered in the certificate of registration), for reasons to be recorded in writing, suspend the certificate of registration of the vehicle –
      1. in any case falling under clause (a), until the defects are rectified to its satisfaction; and
      2. in any case falling under clause (b), for a period not exceeding four months.
2. An authority other than a registering authority shall, when making a suspension order under sub – section (1), intimate in writing the fact of such suspension and the reasons therefor to the registering authority within whose jurisdiction the vehicle is at the time of the suspension.
3. Where the registration of a motor vehicle has been suspended under sub – section (1) for a continuous period of not less than one month, the registering authority, within whose jurisdiction the vehicle was when the registration was suspended, shall, if it is not the original registering authority, inform that authority of the suspension.
4. The owner of a motor vehicle shall, on the demand of a registering authority or other prescribed authority which has suspended the certificate of registration of the vehicle under this section, surrender the certificate of registration.
5. A certificate of registration surrendered under sub – section (4) shall be returned to the owner when the order suspending registration has been rescinded and not before.

Section 54 – Cancellation of registration suspended under section 53

Where the suspension of registration of a vehicle under section 53 has continued without interruption for a period of not less than six months, the registering authority within whose jurisdiction the vehicle was when the registration was suspended, may, if it is the original registering authority, cancel the registration, and if it is not the original registering authority, shall forward the certificate of registration to that authority which may cancel the registration.

Section 55 – Cancellation of registration

1. If a motor vehicle has been destroyed or has been rendered permanently incapable of use, the owner shall, within fourteen days or as soon as may be, report the fact to the registering authority within whose jurisdiction he has the residence or place of business where the vehicle is normally kept, as the case may be, and shall forward to the authority the certificate of registration of the vehicle.
2. The registering authority shall, if it is the original registering authority, cancel the registration and the certificate of registration, or, if it is not, shall forward the report and the certificate of registration to the original registering authority and that authority shall cancel the registration.
3. Any registering authority may order the examination of a motor vehicle within its jurisdiction by such authority as the State Government may by order appoint and, if upon such examination and after giving the owner an opportunity to make any representation he may wish to make (by sending to the owner a notice by registered post acknowledgement due at his address entered in the certificate of registration), it is satisfied that the vehicle is in such a condition that it is incapable of being used or its use in a public place would constitute a danger to the public and that it is beyond reasonable repair, may cancel the registration.
4. If a registering authority is satisfied that a motor vehicle has been permanently removed out of India, the registering authority shall cancel the registration.
5. If a registering authority is satisfied that the registration of a motor vehicle has been obtained on the basis of documents which were, or by representation of facts which was, false in any material particular, or the engine number or the chassis number embossed thereon are different from such number entered in the certificate of registration, the registering authority shall after giving the owner an opportunity to make such representation as he may wish to make (by sending to the owner a notice by registered post acknowledgement due at his address entered in the certificate of registration), and for reasons to be recorded in writing, cancel the registration.
6. A registering authority cancelling the registration of a motor vehicle under section 54 or under this section shall communicate such fact in writing to the owner of the vehicle, and the owner of the vehicle shall forthwith surrender to that authority the certificate of registration of the vehicle.
7. A registering authority making an order of cancellation under section 54 or under this section shall, if it is the original registering authority, cancel the certificate of registration and the entry relating to the vehicle in its records, and, if it is not the original registering authority, forward the certificate of registration to that authority, and that authority shall cancel the certificate of registration and the entry relating to the motor vehicle in its records.
8. The expression “original registering authority” in this section and in sections 41, 49, 50, 52, 53 and 54 means the registering authority in whose records the registration of the vehicle is recorded.
9. In this section “certificate of registration” includes a certificate of registration renewed under the provisions of this Act.

Section 56 – Certificate of fitness of transport vehicles

1. Subject to the provisions of sections 59 and 60, a transport vehicle shall not be deemed to be validly registered for the purposes of section 39, unless it carries a certificate of fitness in such form containing such particulars and information as may be prescribed by the Central Government, issued by the prescribed authority, or by an authorised testing station mentioned in sub – section (2), to the effect that the vehicle complies for the time being with all the requirements of this Act and the rules made thereunder: Provided that where the prescribed authority or the “authorised testing station” refuses to issue such certificate, it shall supply the owner of the vehicle with its reasons in writing for such refusal.
2. The “authorised testing station” referred to in sub – section (1) means a vehicle service station or public or private garage which the State Government, having regard to the experience, training and ability of the operator of such station or garage and the testing equipment and the testing personnel therein, may specify in accordance with the rules made by the Central Government for regulation and control of such stations or garages.
3. Subject to the provisions of sub – section (4), certificate of fitness shall remain effective for such period as may be prescribed by the Central Government having regard to the objects of this Act.
4. The prescribed authority may for reasons to be recorded in writing cancel a certificate of fitness at any time, if satisfied that the vehicle to which it relates no longer complies with all the requirements of this Act and the rules made thereunder; and on such cancellation the certificate of registration of the vehicle and any permit granted in respect of the vehicle under Chapter V shall be deemed to be suspended until a new certificate of fitness has been obtained: Provided that no such cancellation shall be made by the prescribed authority unless such prescribed authority holds such technical qualification as may be prescribed or where the prescribed authority does not hold such technical qualification on the basis of the report of an officer having such qualifications.
5. A certificate of fitness issued under this Act shall, while it remains effective be valid throughout India.

Section 57 – Appeals

1. Any person aggrieved by an order of the registering authority under section 41, 42, 43, 45, 47, 48, 49, 50, 52, 53, 55 or 56 may, within thirty days of the date on which he has received notice of such order, appeal against the order to the prescribed authority.
2. The appellate authority shall give notice of the appeal to the original authority and after giving an opportunity to the original authority and the appellant to be heard in the appeal pass such order as it thinks fit.

Section 58 – Special provisions in regard to transport vehicles

1. The Central Government may, having regard to the number, nature and size of the tyres attached to the wheels of a transport vehicle (other than a motor cab), and its make and model and other relevant considerations, by notification in the Official Gazette, specify, in relation to each make and model of a transport vehicle, the maximum gross vehicle weight of such vehicle and the maximum safe axle weight of each axle of such vehicle.”
2. A registering authority, when registering a transport vehicle, other than a motor cab, shall enter in the record of registration and shall also enter in the certificate of registration of the vehicle the following particulars, namely –
   1. the unladen weight of the vehicle;
   2. the number, nature and size of the tyres attached to each wheel;
   3. the gross vehicle weight of the vehicle and the registered axle weights pertaining to the several axles thereof; and
   4. if the vehicle is used or adapted to be used for the carriage of passengers solely or in addition to goods, the number of passengers for whom accommodation is provided, and the owner of the vehicle shall have the same particulars exhibited in the prescribed manner on the vehicle.
3. There shall not be entered in the certificate of registration of any such vehicle any gross vehicle weight or a registered axle weight of any of the axles different from that specified in the notification under sub – section (1) in relation to the make and model of such vehicle and to the number, nature and size of the tyres attached to its wheels: Provided that where it appears to the Central Government that heavier weights than those specified in the notification under sub – section (1) may be permitted in a particular locality for vehicles of a particular type, the Central Government may, by order in the Official Gazette direct that the provisions of this sub – section shall apply with such modifications as may be specified in the order.
4. –
5. In order that the gross vehicle weight entered in the certificate of registration of a vehicle may be revised in accordance with the provisions of sub – section (3), the registering authority may require the owner of transport vehicle in accordance with such procedure as may be prescribed to produce the certificate of registration within such time as may be specified by the registering authority.

Section 59 – Power to fix the age limit of motor vehicle

1. The Central Government may, having regard to the public safety, convenience and objects of this Act, by notification in the Official Gazette, specify the life of a motor vehicle reckoned from the date of its manufacture, after the expiry of which the motor vehicle shall not be deemed to comply with the requirements of this Act and the rules made thereunder: Provided that the Central Government may specify different ages for different classes or different types of motor vehicles.
2. Notwithstanding anything contained in sub – section (1), the Central Government may, having regard to the purpose of a motor vehicle, such as, display or use for the purposes of a demonstration in any exhibition, use for the purposes of technical research or taking part in a vintage car rally, by notification in the Official Gazette, exempt, by a general or special order, subject to such conditions as may be specified in such notification, any class or type of motor vehicle from the operation of sub – section (1) for the purpose to be stated in the notification.
3. Notwithstanding anything contained in section 56, no prescribed authority or authorised testing station shall grant a certificate of fitness to a motor vehicle in contravention of the provisions of any notification issued under sub – section (1).

Section 60 – Registration of vehicles belonging to the Central Government

1. Such authority as the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, specify, may register any motor vehicle which is the property or for the time being under the exclusive control of the Central Government and is used for Government purposes relating to the defence of the country and unconnected with any commercial enterprise and any vehicle so registered shall not, so long as it remains the property or under the exclusive control of the Central Government, require to be registered otherwise under this Act.
2. The authority registering a vehicle under sub – section (1) shall assign a registration mark in accordance with the provisions contained in the rules made in this behalf by the Central Government and shall issue a certificate in respect of that vehicle to the effect that such vehicle complies for the time being with all the requirements of this Act and the rules made thereunder and that the vehicle has been registered under this section.
3. A vehicle registered under this section shall carry the certificate issued under sub – section (2).
4. If a vehicle registered under this section ceases to be the property or under the exclusive control of the Central Government, the provisions of sections 39 and 40 shall thereupon apply.
5. The authority registering a vehicle under sub – section (1) shall furnish to any State Government all such information regarding the general nature, overall dimensions and axle weights of the vehicle as the State Government may at any time require.

Section 61 – Application of Chapter to trailers

1. The provisions of this Chapter shall apply to the registration of trailers as they apply to the registration of any other motor vehicle.
2. The registration mark assigned to a trailer shall be displayed in such manner on the side of the drawing vehicle as may be prescribed by the Central Government.
3. No person shall drive a motor vehicle to which a trailer is or trailers are attached unless the registration mark of the motor vehicle so driven is displayed on the trailer or on the last trailer in the train, as the case may be, in such manner as may be prescribed by the Central Government.

Section 62 – Information regarding stolen and recovered motor vehicles to be furnished by the police to the State Transport Authority

The State Government may, if it thinks necessary or expedient so to do in the public interest, direct the submission by the Inspector General of Police (by whatever designation called) and such other police officers as the State Government may specify in this behalf, of such returns containing the information regarding vehicles which have been stolen and stolen vehicles which have been recovered of which the police are aware, to the State Transport Authority, and may prescribe the form in which and the period within which such returns shall be made.

Section 63 – Maintenance of State Registers of Motor Vehicles

1. Each State Government shall maintain in such form as may be prescribed by the Central Government a register to be known as the State Register of Motor Vehicles, in respect of the motor vehicles in that State, containing the following particulars, namely –
   1. registration numbers;
   2. years of manufacture;
   3. classes and types;
   4. names and addresses of registered owners; and
   5. such other particulars as may be prescribed by the Central Government.
2. Each State Government shall supply to the Central Government if so desired by it a printed copy of the State Register of Motor Vehicles and shall also inform the Central Government without delay of all additions to and other amendments in such register made from time to time.
3. The State Register of Motor Vehicles shall be maintained in such manner as may be prescribed by the State Government.

Section 64 – Power of Central Government to make rules

The Central Government may make rules to provide for all or any of the following matters, namely –

1. the period within which and the form in which an application shall be made and the documents, particulars and information it shall accompany under sub – section (1) of section 41;
2. the form in which the certificate of registration shall be made and the particulars and information it shall contain and the manner in which it shall be issued under sub – section (3) of section 41;
3. the form and manner in which the particulars of the certificate of registration shall be entered in the records of the registering authority under sub – section (5) of section 41;
4. the manner in which and the form in which the registration mark, the letters and figures and other particulars referred to in sub – section (6) of section 41 shall be displayed and shown;
5. the period within which and the form in which the application shall be made and the particulars and information it shall contain under sub – section (8) of section 41;
6. the form in which the application referred to in sub – section (14) of section 41 shall be made, the particulars and information it shall contain and the fee to be charged;
7. the form in which and the period within which the application referred to in sub – section (1) of section 47 shall be made and the particulars it shall contain;
8. the form in which and the manner in which the application for “No Objection Certificate” shall be made under sub – section (1) of section 48 and the form of receipt to be issued under sub – section (2) of section 48;
9. the matters that are to be complied with by an applicant before no objection certificate may be issued under section 48;
10. the form in which the intimation of change of address shall be made under sub – section (1) of section 49 and the documents to be submitted along with the application;
11. the form in which and the manner in which the intimation of transfer of ownership shall be made under sub – section (1) of section 50 or under sub – section (2) of section 50 and the document to be submitted along with the application;
12. the form in which the application under sub – section (2) or sub – section (3) of section 51 shall be made;
13. the form in which the certificate of fitness shall be issued under sub – section (1) of section 56 and the particulars and information it shall contain;
14. the period for which the certificate of fitness granted or renewed under section 56 shall be effective;
15. the fees to be charged for the issue or renewal or alteration of certificates of registration, for making an entry regarding transfer of ownership on a certificate of registration, for making or cancelling an endorsement in respect of agreement of hire – purchase or lease or hypothecation on a certificate of registration, for certificates of fitness for registration marks, and for the examination or inspection of motor vehicles, and the refund of such fees.
16. any other matter which is to be, or may be, prescribed by the Central Government.

Section 65 – Power of State Government to make rules

1. A State Government may make rules for the purpose of carrying into effect the provisions of this Chapter other than the matters specified in section 64.
2. Without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing power, such rules may provide for –
   1. the conduct and hearing of appeals that may be preferred under this Chapter (the fees to be paid in respect of such appeals and the refund of such fees);
   2. the appointment, functions and jurisdiction of registering and other prescribed authorities;
   3. the exemption of road – rollers, graders and other vehicles designed and used solely for the construction, repair and cleaning of roads from all or any of the provisions of this Chapter and the rules made thereunder and the conditions governing such exemption;
   4. the issue or renewal of certificates of registration and fitness and duplicates of such certificates to replace the certificates lost, destroyed or mutilated;
   5. the production of certificates of registration before the registering authority for the revision of entries therein of particulars relating to the gross vehicle weight;
   6. the temporary registration of motor vehicles and the issue of temporary certificate of registration and marks;
   7. the manner in which the particulars referred to in sub – section (2) of section 58 and other prescribed particulars shall be exhibited;
   8. the exemption of prescribed persons or prescribed classes of persons from payment of all or any portion of the fees payable under this Chapter;
   9. the forms, other than those prescribed by the Central Government, to be used for the purpose of this Chapter;
   10. the communication between registering authorities of particulars of certificates of registration and by owners of vehicles registered outside the State of particulars of such vehicles and of their registration;
   11. the amount or amounts under sub – section (13) of section 41 or sub – section (7) of section 47 or sub – section (4) of section 49 or sub – section (5) of section 50;
   12. the extension of the validity of certificates of fitness pending consideration of applications for their renewal;
   13. the exemption from the provisions of this Chapter and the conditions and fees for exemption, of motor vehicles in the possession of dealers;
   14. the form in which and the period within which the return under section 62 shall be sent;
   15. the manner in which the State Register of Motor Vehicles shall be maintained under section 63;
   16. any other matter which is to be or may be prescribed.

Important Central Acts in Regional Languages

Legislative department website also features regional language versions of several important Central Acts.

• Assamese
• Bengali
• Gujarati
• Kannada
• Malayalam
• Marathi
• Odia
• Punjabi
• Tamil
• Telugu
• Urdu