THE CENTRAL MOTOR VEHICLES RULES, 19891

CHAPTER I
PRELIMINARY

1. Short title and commencement.—(1) These rules may be called the Central Motor
Vehicle Rules, 1989.
(2) Save as otherwise provided in sub-rule (3) 2[and sub-rule (2) of rule 103,] these rules shall
come into force on the 1st day of July, 1989.
2
(3) The provisions of [rule 9,] sub-rule (3) of rule 16, sub-rule (4) of rule 96, 3[* * *] sub-
rule (3) of rule 105, rule 113, sub-rules (2), (3), (4) or (5) of rule 115, rules
118,122,124,125,126 and 127 shall come into force on such date as the Central Government
may, by notification in the Official Gazette, appoint.

2. Definitions.—In these rules, unless the context otherwise requires—

(a) "Act" means the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 (59 of 1988);
4
[(b) "agricultural tractor" means any mechanically propelled 4-wheel vehicle designed to work
with suitable implements for various field operations and/or trailers to transport agricultural
materials. Agricultural tractor is a non-transport vehicle;
(c) "agricultural trailer" means a trailer generally left uncovered with single/double axle
construction which is coupled to an agricultural tractor by means of two hooks and
predominantly used for transporting agricultural materials;]
5
[(ca) "combine harvester‖ means an agricultural equipment vehicle, self-propelled or agricultural
tractor powered type (either coupled to the trailer for header assembly or any other attachment of
the machine) designed to perform more than one of the following tasks namely :-
(i) Picking, harvesting, threshing, separating, cleaning, chopping, collecting and unloading
crop or agricultural produce, such as a grain, sugarcane, cotton, fodder, straw or stalk,
while moving through the standing crop or agricultural produce;
(ii) Agreement of bagging with a pick-up attachment to use it for handling crop that has been
swathed.

Explanation. – For the purpose of these clause, a combine harvester shall be a non-transport
motor vehicle, the driving on the road of which is incidental to the main intended use in the
fields and for travelling from one field to another, for short durations, at a speed not exceeding
thirty kilometer per hour;]

1 Vide G.S.R. 590 (E), dated 2-6-1989, published in the Gazelle of India, Ext., Pi. II, S. 3, dated 2-6-1989.
2 Inserted by G.S.R. 933(E), dated 28-10-1989 (w.e.f. 28-10-1989).
3 The words and figures "sub-rule (3) of rule 103" omitted by G.S.R 221(E), dated 28-3- 2001 (w.e.f. 28-
3-2001).
4 Inserted by G.S.R. 338(E), dated 26-3-1993 (w.e.f. 26-3-1993).
5 Inserted by G.S.R. 212(E), dated 20-3-2015 (w.e.f. 01-04-2015).

1
5a[(cab) "construction equipment vehicle" means rubber tyred (including pneumatic tyred),
rubber padded or steel drum wheel mounted, self-propelled, excavator, loader, backhoe,
compactor roller, dumper, motor grader, mobile crane, dozer, fork lift truck, self-loading
concrete mixer or any other construction equipment vehicle or combination thereof designed for
off-highway operations in mining, industrial undertaking, irrigation and general construction but
modified and manufactured with "on or off" or "on and off" highway capabilities.
Explanation.—A construction equipment vehicle shall be a non-transport vehicle the driving
on the road of which is incidental to the main off-highway function and for a short duration at a
speed not exceeding 50 kms per hour, but such vehicle does not include other purely off-
highway construction equipment vehicle designed and adopted for use in any enclosed premises,
factory or mine other than road network, not equipped to travel on public roads on their own
power;]
6
[(cb) ―E.rickshaw‖ means a special purpose battery operated vehicle having three wheels and
intended to provide last mile connectivity for transport of passengers for hire or reward,
provided, -
(i) Such vehicle is constructed or adapted to carry not more than four passengers, excluding
the driver, the not more than 40 kilograms luggage in total;
(ii) The net power of its motor is not more than 2000 W;
(iii) The maximum speed of the vehicle is not more than twenty-five kilometer per hour;
(cc) ―E-cart‖ means a special purpose battery operated vehicle having three wheels and intended
to provide last mile connectivity for carrying goods for hire or reward, provided, -
(i) Such vehicle is constructed or adapted for carrying goods by providing a separate load
body or compartment with a maximum weight of three hundred and ten kilograms kilograms in
addition to driver;
(ii) The net power of its motor is not more than 2000 W;
(iii) The maximum speed of the vehicle is not more than 25 kilometer per hour;]
7 8
[ [(d)] "financier" means a person or a title holder-cum-dealer who lets a motor vehicle on
hire under an agreement of hire purchase or lease or hypothecation to the operator with a
permission to get it registered in operator's name as registered owner;]
9
[(e)] "Form" means a Form appended to these rules;
9
[(f)] "section" means a section of the Act;
9
[(g)] "trade certificate" means a certificate issued by the registering authority under rule 35;
9
[(h)] "non-transport vehicle" means a motor vehicle which is not a transport vehicle.
_______________________
5a
Renumbered by G.S.R. 212(E), dated 20-3-2015 (w.e.f. 01-04-2015)
6 Inserted by G.S.R. 709(E), dated 08-10-2014 (w.e.f. 08-10-2014),
7
CI. {aa) inserted by G.S.R. 933(E), dated 28-10-1989 (w.e.f. 28-10-1989), relettered as CI.
(d)by G.S.R. 338(E), dated 26-3-1993 (w.e.f. 26-3-1993).
8. Substituted by G.S.R. 111(E), dated 10-2-2004, for CI. (d) (w.e.f. 10-2-2004).
9.
Cls. (b), (c), (d) and (f) relettered as Cls. (e), (f), (g) and (h), respectively by G.S.R. 338(E),
dated 26-3-1993 (w.e.f. 26-3-1993).

2
10 11
[ [(i) "Category L-l" means a motorcycle with maximum speed not exceeding 45 km/h and
engine capacity not exceeding 50 cc, if fitted with a thermic engine or motor power exceeding
0.5 kilowatt if fitted with electric motor;]
(j) "Category L-2" means a motor cycle other than Category L-1;
(k)"Category M" means a motor vehicle with at least four wheels used for carrying the
passengers;
(/) "Category M-l" means a motor vehicle used for carriage of passengers, comprising not more
than eight seats in addition to the driver's seat;
Note :- Definitions of type of body work for motor vehicles of category M1 shall be in
accordance with Annexure 1 of AIS 053:2005, as amended from time to time, till the
corresponding BIS specifications are notified under the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 1986
(63 of 1986);
(m)"Category M-2" means a motor vehicle used for the carriage of passengers, comprising nine
or more seats in addition to the driver's seat and having a maximum Gross Vehicle Weight not
exceeding 5 tonnes;]
(n)"Category M-3" means a motor vehicle used for carriage of passengers, comprising nine or
more seats in addition to the driver's seat and having a Gross Vehicle Weight exceeding 5
tonnes;
(o) "Category N" means a motor vehicle with at least four wheels used for the carrying goods
which may also carry person in addition to the goods subject to the conditions specified in Para 3.2
of AIS 053-2005, as amended from time to time, till the corresponding BIS specifications are
notified under the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 1986 (63 of 1986);
(p) "Category N-l" means a motor vehicle used for the carriage of goods and having a Gross
Vehicle Weight not exceeding 3.5 tonnes;
(q) "Category N-2" means a motor vehicle used for carriage of goods and having a Gross
Vehicle Weight exceeding 3.5 tonnes but not exceeding 12 tonnes;
(r) "Category N-3" means a motor vehicle used for carriage of goods and having a Gross
Vehicle Weight exceeding 12 tonnes;
Note – For the motor vehicles, additional details and definitions specified in AIS 053-2005, as
amended from time to time, till the corresponding BIS specifications are notified under the
Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 1986 (63 of 1986) shall be applicable;]
11a
[(ra) Category ―T‖ means a non-self propelled driven road vehicle, including a semi-trailer,
having at least two wheels which, on account of its design and technical features, is used to
transport persons or goods and is intended to be towed by a motor vehicle;
(rb) ―Category T-1‖ means a category T vehicle having a maximum weight not exceeding 0.75
tonnes;
(rc) ―Category T-2‖ means a category T vehicle having a maximum weight exceeding 0.75
tonnes but not exceeding 3.5 tonnes;
(rd) ―Category T-3‖ means a category T vehicle having a maximum weight exceeding 3.5
tonnes but not exceeding 10 tonnes;l
(re) ―Category T-4‖ means a category T vehicle having a maximum weight exceeding 10 tonnes;
10
Inserted by G.S.R. 400(E), dated 31-5-2002 (w.e.f. 31-5-2002).
11
Substituted by G.S.R. 784(E), dated 12-11-2008 (w.e.f. 12-11-2008).
11a. Inserted byG.S.R. 409 (E) dated 18.06.2014 (w.e.f. 18.06.2014).

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(rf) ―Category T-5‖ means a semi-trailer of category T vehicle intended to be drawn by a three-
wheeled haulage tractor.]
11b
[(s) "Smart Card" means a device capable of storing data and executing commands which
is a microprocessor chip mounted on a plastic card and the dimensions of the card and chip
are specified in the International Organization for Standardization (ISO)/International Electro
Technical Commission (IEC) 7816 specifications, as may be amended from time to time, and
shall be as per the specifications specified in Annexure XI.
Explanation.—For the purposes of this clause, microprocessor chip shall have non-volatile re-
writable memory capacity of minimum 1 2 [ 6 4 Kilo Byte consisting of application data, file
headers, security definitions, and a maximum of 350 bytes for Operating System Interfacing, as
specified by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways from time to time for Driving
Licence and Registration Certificate applications;]
12
[(r) "International Driving Permit" means the licence issued by a licensing authority in India
under Chapter II of the Act to an Indian National authorising the person specified therein to
drive any categories of motor vehicles as specified in Form 6-A in the areas or territories of
countries other than India 1 2b [that are Parties to the Convention on Road Traffic
signed at Genera on 19th day of September, 1949);]
13
[(u) "Battery Operated Vehicle" means a vehicle adapted for use upon roads and
powered exclusively by an electric motor whose traction energy is supplied exclusively by
traction battery installed in the vehicle:
13a
[Provided that a two wheeled battery operated vehicle shall not be deemed to be a motor
vehicle if all the following conditions are verified and authorised by any testing agency
specified in rule 126, namely,
(a) vehicle is equipped with an electric motor having thirty minute power less than 0.25 KW;
(b) maximum speed of the vehicle is less than 25 km/hr;
(c) vehicle is fitted with suitable brakes and retro-reflective devices, i.e. one while reflector in
the front and one red reflector at the rear;
(d) unladen weight (excluding battery weight) of the vehicle is not more than 60 kg;
(e) in case of pedal assisted vehicle equipped with an auxiliary electric meter, in addition to
above, the thirty minute power o f t h e m o t o r i s less than 0 .25 K W, whose output is
progressively reduced and finally cut off as the vehicle reaches a speed of 25 km/hr, or sooner,
if the cyclist stops pedaling.
Explanation.—The thirty minute power of the motor is defined in AIS: 049:2003 and method of
verification is prescribed in AIS:041:2003, till the corresponding BIS specifications are
notified under the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 1986 (63 of 1986);
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11b
Substituted by G.S.R. 513(E), dated 10-8-2004 (w.e.f. 10-9-2004).
12
Substituted by G.S.R. 504 (E), dated 15.6.2010 for “4 Kilo Byte (ws.e.f. 15.6.2010)
12a.
Inserted by G.S.R. 720(E), dated 10-9-2003 (w.e.f. 10-9-2003).
12b
Substituted by G.S.R. 276 (E), dated 10.46.2007 (ws.e.f. 10.4.2007)
13
Inserted by G.S.R. 589(E), dated 16-9-2005 (w.e.f. 16-9-2005).
13a
Substituted by G.S.R. 291(E), dated 24-4-2004 (w.e.f. 24-4-2004).

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(v) Power tiller" means an agricultural machinery used for soil preparation having a single
axle in which the direction of travel and its control for field operation is performed by the
operator walking behind it. This equipment may or may not have a riding attachment and when
coupled to a trailer can be used for the transportation of goods. The maximum speed of the
power tiller when coupled to a trailer, shall not exceed 22 km/h. The maximum haulage
capacity of the Power tiller coupled to a trailer shall not exceed 1.5 tons.]
13b
[(w)―National Capital Region‖ shall have the measuring assigned to it to clause (f) of section
2 of the National Capital Region Planning Brand Act, 1985 (2 of 1985)]
13c
[(x) ―modular hydraulic trailer‖ means a trailer module intended for carrying invisible heavy
or over-dimensional cargo and having the following features, namely –
(i) Swing axles with hydraulic suspension;
(ii) Independently steerable axles
(iii) Two or more axle rows
(iv) Suitable arrangement for joining such modules longitudinally or laterally or both;
(v) Suitable provision for joining, such separate modules with spacer beam arrangement or by
bolster arrangement or by girder bridge arrangement or by loading deck arrangement;
(vi) Suitable drawbar arrangement for being pulled or pushed or self propelled.
Explanation – For the purpose of this clause, the expressions :-
(I) ―spacer beam arrangement‖ shall mean the arrangement of rigid steel frame used for
joining, two separate modular hydraulic trailer units to form a single rigid chassis for
movement of long cargo;
(II) “bolster arrangement‖ shall mean the arrangement of two separate units of modular
hydraulic trailer mounted with turn tables and the cargo rests on the turn tables, whereby
cargo structure itself acts as long member of trailer chassis;
(III) ―girder bridge arrangement‖ shall mean the arrangement of two separate units of modular
hydraulic trailers mounted with turn tables, and cargo is placed on a steel girder, which is
then mounted as modular hydraulic trailer, whereby the steel girder acts as the long
member of the trailer chassis;
(IV) ―loading deck arrangement‖ shall mean the arrangement of two separate units of modular
hydraulic trailers mounted with turn tables, and cargo is placed on a loading deck, which
is then mounted on both modular hydraulic trailers, whereby the loading deck acts as the
long member of the modular hydraulic trailer chassis;
(vii) Fitted with suitable braking system;

(y) ―puller tractor‖ means a multi-axle haulage tractor of Category N3 vehicle having–
(i) Suitable arrangement to pull or push modular hydraulic trailer or combination thereof
under drawbar arrangement;
(ii) Adequate ballast weight for providing traction;
(iii) Minimum engine power of 260 hp; and
(iv) Maximum speed not exceeding twenty five kilometer per hour while pulling load;]
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13b
Inserted by G.S.R. 37(E), dated 20-1-2009 (w.e.f. 20-1-2009).
13c
. Inserted by G.S.R. 212 (E), dated 20.3.2015 (w.e.f. 1.4.2015)

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13d[
(z) ―quadricycle‖ means a four wheeled vehicle and having the following features, namely :-
(i) Fully enclosed body structure with doors and having steering control through steering
wheel with the top edge of the doors having atleast 200 mm from adjacent seat base top
surface;
(ii) With sides and top not made of flexible material such as rexin, cloth, plastic, etc;
(iii) For goods vehicle, cargo body internal area not less than 30% of the vehicle’s width
multiplied by its length;
(iv) Maximum permissible kerb weight of 450 kg. in case of passenger vehicle and 550 kg. in
case of goods vehicle;
(v) Maximum seating capacity of four (including driver) in case of passenger vehicle and two
(including driver) in case of goods vehicle with independent seats provided for the driver
and co-passenger in the front row in the case of both passenger vehicle and goods vehicle;
(vi) Maximum permissible pay load of 550 kg. in case of goods vehicles;
(vii) Maximum permissible propulsion power of 15 kW of the prime mover be 15 kW, when
tested as per Chapter I of Part IV of MoSRTH/TAP 115-116 as amended from time to
time for Compression Ignition engines and battery operated vehicles and as per IS:14599-
1999 for Spark Ignition engines;
(viii) Maximum design speed of 70 km. per hour; and
(ix) Not having trailers or any provision of coupling a semi-trailer.
Explanation – For the purpose of clause (iv), kerb weight does not include mass of
batteries in the case of electric/hybrid vehicles.]
14
[(za) ―Motor Caravan‖ means a special purpose category M vehicle constructed to include living
accommodation which contains at least the following equipment:-

(i) seats and table;

Provided that the table may be designed to be easily removable;

(zb) ―Road Ambulance‖ means a specially equipped and ergonomically designed vehicle for
transportation and/or emergent treatment of sick or injured people and capable of providing out
of hospital medical care during transit or when stationary, commensurate with its designed level
of care when appropriately staffed;
(zc) ―School Bus‖ means a vehicle with a seating capacity of thirteen passengers and above
excluding driver designed and constructed specially for school going children;
(zd) ―Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV)‖ means a vehicle of category L [only in case of Road
Ambulance complying to AIS-125 (Part1)-2014], M, N or T having specific technical features in
order to perform a function which requires special arrangements and/or equipment.]
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13d.
Inserted by G.S.R. 99 (e), dated 19.2.2014 (w.e.f. 19.2.2014).
14.
Inserted by G.S.R.868 (e), dated 8.9.2016 (w.e.f. 8.9.2016)
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