MVA Section 138: Power of State Government to make rules
Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 · Chapter 8: CONTROL OF TRAFFIC
¶138. Power of State Government to make rules.—(1) The State Government may make rules for the purpose of carrying into effect the provisions of this Chapter other than the matters specified in section 137. [(1A) The State Government may, in the interest of road safety, make rules for the purposes of regulating the activities and access of non-mechanically propelled vehicles and pedestrians to public places and national highways:
Provided that in the case of national highways, such rules shall be framed in consultation with the National Highways Authority of India.]
(2) Without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing power, such rules may provide for—
(a) the removal and the safe custody of vehicles including their loads which have broken down or which have been left standing or have been abandoned on roads;
(b) the installation and use of weighing devices;
(c) the maintenance and management of wayside amenities complexes;
(d) the exemption from all or any of the provisions of this Chapter of fire brigade vehicles, ambulances and other special classes or descriptions of vehicle, subject to such conditions as may be prescribed;
(e) the maintenance and management of parking places and stands and the fees, if any, which may be charged for their use;
(f) prohibiting the driving downhill of a motor vehicle with the gear disengaged either generally or in a specified place;
(g) prohibiting the taking hold of or mounting of a motor vehicle in motion;
(h) prohibiting the use of foot-paths or pavements by motor vehicles;
(i) generally, the prevention of danger, injury or annoyance to the public or any person, or of danger or injury to property or of abstruction to traffic; and
(j) any other matter which is to be, or may be, prescribed.
Study: explanations and related material
Official reference: India Code, Government of India — edition as on 15 August 2026 — source review: 2 October 2026.Recorded edition / snapshot date: 2026-08-15.Banaka reference transcription, not an official or certified edition. General central text: regional amendment blocks are not consolidated. This edition includes Jan Vishwas 2026 changes effective 15 August 2026. Amendment brackets are retained; footnotes and superscript reference numerals are excluded. Consult the complete government PDF for schedules, amendment notes and authoritative wording. State rules and notifications may differ. Hindi guides are original explanations, not a statutory translation.Read the original schedule and amendment notes
This text is for reference, not legal advice. Consult the official source for the authoritative text.
Other sections in this chapter
- 112. Limits of speed
- 113. Limits of weight and limitations on use
- 114. Power to have vehicle weighed
- 115. Power to restrict the use of vehicles
- 116. Power to erect traffic signs
- 117. Parking places and halting stations
- 118. Driving regulations
- 119. Duty to obey traffic signs
- 120. Vehicles with left hand control
- 121. Signals and signalling devices
- 122. Leaving vehicle in dangerous position
- 123. Riding on running board, etc
- 124. Prohibition against travelling without pass or ticket
- 125. Obstruction of driver
- 126. Stationary vehicles
- 127. Removal of motor vehicles abandoned or left unattended on a public place
- 128. Safety measures for drivers and pillion riders
- 129. Wearing of protective headgear
- 130. Duty to produce licence and certificate of registration
- 131. Duty of the driver to take certain precautions at unguarded railway level crossing
- 132. Duty of driver to stop in certain cases
- 133. Duty of owner of motor vehicle to give information
- 134. Duty of driver in case of accident and injury to a person
- 134A. Protection of Good Samaritans
- 135. Schemes to be framed for the investigation of accident cases and wayside amenities, etc
- 136. Inspection of vehicle involved in accident
- 136A. Electronic monitoring and enforcement of road safety
- 137. Power of Central Government to make rules