Introduction

Drivers play a vital role in making the use of road safe and secure. In order to drive a motorized vehicle on the road, the drivers need to obtain a valid and effective licence from the competent authority prescribed under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. Presumably, the issuing authority verifies the necessary credentials of the applicant before granting him/her the driving licence. The driver is required to exhibit the learning while driving the vehicle.

Any casualties due to irresponsible driving may attract penal provisions enumerated under the Motor Vehicle Act, 1988 and the Indian Penal Code, 1860. Any plea with regard to ignorance of law will not bring any benefit to the wrongdoer on account of a well-known legal principle that ‘ignorance of law excuses no one’. Therefore, want of information about the legal provisions related to offences regarding driving would not confer any benefit on the driver. It is incumbent upon the driver to get acquainted with various provisions which deal with offences related to driving motor vehicles.

The drivers are required to know that any breach of the directions/guidelines/instructions would invite penalty as prescribed under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. In addition to the penal liability arising under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, the penal law of the country may also get attracted for certain act or omission of the drivers which would bring in harsher penalties. Therefore, as a driver, he/she should be aware of the offences related to motor vehicles given under the Motor Vehicles Act,1988 as well as the Indian Penal Code,1860. This chapter highlights the different provisions on offences related to driving of motor vehicles.