In a significant ruling, the Supreme Court clarified that individuals holding a Light Motor Vehicle (LMV) driving licence can legally operate “transport vehicles of light motor vehicle class” without additional authorization, provided the vehicle’s unladen weight does not exceed 7,500 kg. This landmark decision was delivered on Wednesday by a five-judge Constitution Bench led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, resolving a series of 78 petitions regarding driving eligibility for transport vehicles under the Motor Vehicles (MV) Act.
The Bench ruled that an LMV licence, obtained under Section 10(2)(d) of the MV Act, is sufficient for operating transport vehicles with a gross weight under 7,500 kg, and that no separate endorsement under Section 10(2)(e) is required for this class of vehicles. The court’s decision underscores that LMVs and certain transport vehicles are not distinctly separate classes but have a significant overlap in licensing requirements.
“For licensing purposes, LMVs and transport vehicles are not entirely separate classes. An overlap exists between the two,” stated the Constitution Bench, which also included Justices Hrishikesh Roy, PS Narasimha, Pankaj Mithal, and Manoj Misra. The ruling clarifies that while LMV licence holders are eligible to drive certain transport vehicles, specific categories—such as e-carts, e-rickshaws, and vehicles carrying hazardous materials—will still be subject to additional eligibility criteria.
The Bench also noted a lack of empirical evidence linking LMV licence holders driving transport vehicles with increased road accidents. This consideration appears to have influenced the decision to streamline licensing requirements and reduce administrative barriers for LMV drivers seeking to operate light transport vehicles.
Under the new interpretation, additional licensing and authorisation for “transport vehicles” will be mandatory only for those driving vehicles exceeding the 7,500 kg threshold, including medium goods and passenger vehicles, as well as heavy goods and passenger vehicles. This decision aims to simplify compliance for LMV licence holders while ensuring that stringent standards remain in place for heavier, potentially more hazardous vehicles.
This ruling provides clarity to millions of LMV licence holders and is expected to ease the process for those looking to drive light transport vehicles for commercial purposes. The decision has been welcomed by stakeholders who had raised concerns about restrictive licensing classifications, which, they argued, hampered economic opportunities for drivers and employers alike.
The Chenab Times News Desk