MVA Section 190: Using vehicle in unsafe condition

Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 · Chapter 13: OFFENCES, PENALTIES AND PROCEDURE

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 liable for penalty of five thousand 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 six 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 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,––
(i) in relation to road safety or control of air-pollution, shall be liable for the first contravention with penalty which may extend to ten thousand rupees 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; or
(ii) in relation to noise pollution, shall for the first contravention be issued a warning recorded in such manner as may be prescribed by the Central Government, and for any second or subsequent contravention with penalty which may extend to ten thousand rupees.]
(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. 191. [ Sale of vehicle in or alteration of vehicle to condition contravening this Act.] Omitted by the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019 (32 of 2019), s. 73 (w.e.f. 1-9-2019).

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.

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