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MVA 1988 (Amended 2019)ORIGINALChapter V

Section 136-136A

Inspection of Vehicles by Police; Speed Governors and Seat Belt Devices

Control of Traffic
Fine: ₹500–₹10,000Compoundable: Yes/NoEndorsement: No
BARE ACT PROVISION

Legal Text

Section 136: Any officer authorised under this Act may, at any time, inspect any motor vehicle and may, for that purpose, require the driver of such vehicle to stop the vehicle. Section 136A: The Central Government may, by rules, require the owner of a transport vehicle or class of transport vehicles to equip the vehicle with such devices as may be specified, including — (a) speed governing device; (b) video recording device; (c) such other device as may be specified.

Simplified Explanation

Section 136 gives authorised officers comprehensive powers to inspect any vehicle at any time — checking mechanical condition, documents, safety equipment, and compliance with all MVA requirements. Section 136A, added by the 2019 Amendment, mandates specific safety devices for transport vehicles. The most important: speed governors (limiters) set at 80 km/h for all transport vehicles — a provision the Supreme Court had directed in Rajaseekaran (2014) that finally received statutory backing. All buses, trucks, and commercial vehicles must have tamper-proof speed governors preventing speeds above 80 km/h. Additionally, Section 136A enables mandating video recording devices (dashboard cameras for buses — especially school buses), advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), and other safety technologies as prescribed. Operating a transport vehicle without required safety devices is a Section 192A violation.

Historical Context

Speed governors for transport vehicles had been directed by the Supreme Court in 2014 but implementation was patchy without specific statutory backing. Section 136A's explicit mandate created the clear legal foundation for enforcement.

Critical Changes

Section 136A added by 2019 Amendment — mandatory speed governors for all transport vehicles at 80 km/h.

CCTV/video recording mandatory for school buses under state rules based on Section 136A.

ADAS requirements framework established for future mandate.

Practical Scenarios

"A truck without a speed governor — Section 136A/192A violation."
"A school bus without CCTV cameras (in states where mandated) — Section 136A violation."

Common Queries

Yes — under Section 136A (added by 2019 Amendment), all transport vehicles must be equipped with speed governors limiting maximum speed to 80 km/h. Operating a transport vehicle without a functioning speed governor is a violation.
Yes — Section 136 empowers authorised officers to stop and inspect any motor vehicle at any time. The driver must comply with the inspection requirement.