Strictness on uninsured vehicles and careless driving. Preparation for changes in motor vehicle law (file photo)
Digital Desk, New Delhi. The Central Government is preparing changes in the Motor Vehicles Act to curb uninsured vehicles and reckless driving on the roads. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has made proposals to give the power to confiscate such vehicles and to tighten the rules related to driving licenses. Along with this, there is also a plan to link the driver's behavior with the insurance premium.
The ministry shared the draft of the proposed amendments to the Motor Vehicles Act in a meeting with state transport ministers and commissioners this week. Under this, it has been said that enforcement agencies will be given the right to detain vehicles running without insurance. It is also proposed that new licenses should not be issued to those whose driving license has been canceled in the last three years.
How will the insurance premium be decided?
Additionally, it is proposed to amend Section 147 of the Motor Vehicles Act to empower insurance regulator IRDAI to fix insurance premiums and liability based on the age and challan history of the vehicle. Its purpose is that the price of insurance be linked to the driver's behavior and those who repeatedly break the rules will have to pay higher premiums.
An official said the challan record is enough to show how the vehicle is being driven. At present, the base premium and liability for third party insurance is decided by the government, that too in consultation with IRDAI. Despite this, a large number of vehicles, especially two-wheelers, do not have valid insurance.
Changes in rules related to driving license
The ministry has also proposed to amend Section 9 of the Motor Vehicles Act, which deals with the issuance and renewal of driving licenses, to link driver behavior with the licensing system. Under this, such applicants will not be exempted from the driving test, whose challan records reveal unsafe driving. Currently, the rule is that driving test is not necessary if the license is renewed one year before its expiry.
Experts have also expressed concern over this proposal. Former Deputy Transport Commissioner of Delhi, Anil Chhikara, says that it is common to have challans in the license validity period of 15 years and this can make the system highly subjective. According to him, driving test should be mandatory before every renewal and those whose license has been canceled should not be completely barred from getting a new license, especially if the test does not find any fault in them.
The ministry has also proposed changes in the eligibility for obtaining driving license for heavy and large vehicles. Under this, licenses for larger vehicles will be given in a phased manner on the basis of experience and skills, so that road safety can be improved.
Changes in insurance coverage and medical rules
The government is also considering expanding the scope of third party insurance. It is proposed that even in private vehicles, the owner, driver and person sitting in the vehicle should get insurance protection. Currently this system is applicable only for commercial vehicles.
Additionally, it is proposed to increase the age limit for issuance of driving license and submission of medical certificate for renewal. At present, medical certificate is necessary after the age of 40 years, which is planned to be increased to 60 years.