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MVA 1988 (Amended 2019)ORIGINALChapter II
Section 6
Restrictions on Driving of Transport Vehicles
Licensing of Drivers of Motor Vehicles
Fine: ₹5,000Compoundable: YesEndorsement: Yes
BARE ACT PROVISION
Legal Text
No person shall drive a transport vehicle [other than a motor cab or a motor cycle] unless his driving licence specifically entitles him so to do, and such licence shall specify the type of transport vehicle which the holder is authorised to drive.
Simplified Explanation
Section 6 establishes that transport vehicles — buses, trucks, heavy goods vehicles — require a specifically endorsed driving licence beyond the standard light motor vehicle licence. A person holding a standard LMV (Light Motor Vehicle) licence cannot legally drive a bus, truck, or any other transport vehicle without the specific transport vehicle endorsement on their licence. Different classes of transport vehicle licences exist: LMV-TR (light motor vehicle transport), MGV (medium goods vehicle), HGV (heavy goods vehicle), HPMV (heavy passenger motor vehicle), and combinations. The rationale is straightforward — operating a 40-tonne truck or a 50-seat bus requires qualifications, skills, and medical fitness checks significantly beyond those required for a private car. Motor cabs (taxis) and motorcycles are specifically exempted from this provision, as they are covered by the standard LMV licence with appropriate endorsement.
Historical Context
The separate endorsement system for transport vehicles was retained from the 1939 Act and reflects the significant public safety considerations of allowing heavy commercial vehicles only to be driven by specifically trained and tested individuals.Critical Changes
LMV licence holders can drive LMV transport vehicles (Section 10(2)(e)) — clarified by Supreme Court in Mukund Dewangan v. Oriental Insurance Co. (2017).
Separate endorsement categories: LMV-TR, MGV, HGV, HPMV specified in rules.
Medical fitness requirements more stringent for transport vehicle drivers.
Practical Scenarios
"A car driver (LMV licence) who drives a 5-tonne truck — Section 6 violation if the truck exceeds LMV category."
"A taxi driver whose LMV licence covers the taxi weight class — no Section 6 violation (post-Mukund Dewangan)."
"A car driver who drives a 50-seat bus — clear Section 6 violation requiring HPMV endorsement."
Common Queries
Following Mukund Dewangan (2017), an LMV licence holder can drive a taxi if the taxi falls within the LMV weight category (unladen weight not exceeding 7,500 kg). For heavier transport vehicles, a specific transport endorsement is required.
The main categories are: LMV-TR (light motor vehicle transport, up to 7,500 kg), MGV (medium goods vehicle, 7,500–12,000 kg), HGV (heavy goods vehicle, above 12,000 kg), HPMV (heavy passenger motor vehicle — buses), and special purpose vehicles. Each requires passing a separate test and meeting medical standards.