New Motor Vehicle Act 2019: Everything You Need to Know

Breaking any law in any case is a serious crime and attracts stern penalty. The sternness of this penalty depends on the nature of the committed offence. When it comes to the breaking of traffic rules, citizens can be asked to pay a fine, face disqualification in the form of a ban from driving any motor vehicle or serve a jail term.

The penalties for traffic rule violations all over the country have been increased by the Road Transport and Highways Ministry of India. Following the implementation of the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019, from September 1, heavy penalties by police for the offence of breaking and not following traffic rules have captured the headlines nationwide. According to the latest survey, India as a country accounts for over 5 lakh road accidents annually in which approximately 1.5 lakh people die and approx 3 lakh people are cripples. 

Under this New Motor Vehicle Amendment Act, traffic violations such as drunken driving draw a fine of Rs. 10,000/- and/or imprisonment of 6 months to 2 years. Punishment for driving without a license was increased from "fine up to Rs. 500/- and/or imprisonment which may extend to 3 months" to "fine of Rs. 5,000/- and/or imprisonment of up to 3 months" under the new Motor Vehicle Act. Not wearing a helmet while riding a two-wheeler vehicle can now cause you to pay a fine of Rs 1,000/- and banning of licenses for 3 months.

Some of the important proposals in the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act are mentioned below:

• ==> The New Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill 2019 makes Aadhaar obligatory for getting a vehicle registration and driving license.

• ==> In case of traffic violations by juveniles, the owner or the guardians of the vehicle would be held accountable, if they are unable to provide evidence that the offence was committed without their information or they tried to prevent it.

• ==> The government of India will provide a compensation of Rs. 2 lakh or more to the victim's family for deaths in hit-and-run cases. At present, the amount is just Rs. 25,000/-.

• ==> The New Motor Vehicle Act provides for a National Road Safety Board, to be created by the central government through a notification. The Board will advise the state and central governments on all facets of traffic management and road safety, including standards of motor vehicles, licensing and registration of vehicles, promotion of new vehicle technology and standards for road safety.

• ==> The least amount of fine for drunk driving has been increased from Rs. 2,000/- to Rs. 10,000/-.

• ==> The New Motor Vehicle Amendment Bill mandates automated fitness testing for vehicles.

• ==> A method for cashless treatment of road accident victims during golden hour is provided by the New Motor Vehicle Act 2019.

• ==> The Bill permits the central government to order for recall of motor vehicles if a fault in the vehicle causes damage to the environment, or other road users, or the driver.

The new Motor Vehicles Act has increased the penalties for driving errors. According to the transport ministry's press release summing up the changes in the New Motor Vehicle Act 2019, it has enhanced "penalty for offences where no penalty is specifically provided for first offence from up to Rs. 100/- to Rs. 500/- and for second/subsequent offence from up to Rs. 300/- to Rs 1,500/-."

In addition, the Road Transport and Highways Ministry of India has introduced new penalties in case of violation of road regulations.

Check out the new list regarding the old and new penalties in case of violation of traffic rules as per the New Motor Vehicle Act:

Some Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Regarding the New Motor Vehicle (Amendment) Bill:

• ==> On which date was the New Motor Vehicle Act implemented?

The New Motor Vehicle Act was put into practice on September 1, 2019. After the implementation of the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019, violators are charged with heavy penalties by police for the breaking of traffic rules & regulations.

• ==> What will be the penalty for driving without a license under the New Motor Vehicle Act?

Under the new Motor Vehicle Act 2019, the penalty for driving without a license is a fine of Rs. 5,000/- and/or imprisonment which may be extended to 3 months.

• ==> What is the fine for drunken driving under the New Motor Vehicle Act, 2019?

Under the New Motor Vehicles Act, 2019, drunken driving will make you pay a fine of Rs. 10,000/- and/or imprisonment of 6 months to 2 years.

• ==> What is the penalty for over-speeding under this New Motor Vehicle Act in India?

Under the new Motor Vehicle Act 2019, over-speeding attracts a fine of Rs. 1000/- to Rs. 2000/- for a light motor vehicle, a fine of Rs. 2,000/- to Rs. 4,000/- for a medium passenger or goods vehicles and confiscation of driving license for the second or subsequent offence.

• ==> What is the fine for an uninsured vehicle?

Insurance is obligatory in India. So if you are caught riding or driving a vehicle without insurance, you will be fined Rs. 2,000/- and/or imprisonment of up to 3 months in the first-time offence and for the second offence, you will have to pay Rs. 4,000/- and/or imprisonment of up to 3 months.

• ==> What much is the fine for drinking and driving?

If you are found driving a vehicle while drunk, the penalty for such violations is Rs.10,000/- and/or imprisonment of up to 6 months for a first-time offence and for the second-time offence, you will have to pay Rs. 15,000/- as fine and/or imprisonment of up to 2 years. You will have to pay the fine in the court.

• ==> What vehicle documents should I carry while driving?

While driving the vehicle, the drive should carry the Registration Certificate, The Driving License, Emission Test Certificate, Tax Paid Receipt and Insurance Certificate. You need to carry the Fitness Certificate and Permit in the case of transport vehicles.

• ==> What if I don’t appear before the court?

If you do not appear in the court, a warrant will be issued and it may lead to arrest and more severe penalties.

Inference

The Rajya Sabha cleared the New Motor Vehicle (Amendment) Bill on 31st July 2019, with 108 votes in favor and 13 against it, with 3 amendments moved by Road Transport and Highways Minister Me. Nitin Gadkari. The Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019 puts forward a huge increase in an assortment of penalties for traffic violations, recall of defective vehicle parts by automobile companies, protection to Good Samaritans, holding builders responsible for the bad quality of infrastructure and making vehicle owners criminally accountable for noncompliance committed by juvenile drivers. Now only time will tell whether this New Motor Vehicle Bill will be gainful move or brings thunders of problems. Although a high commotion is being created on a regular basis in the states where this New Motor Vehicle (Amendment) Bill, 2019 has been implemented, people complying with the traffic rules reed not worry.