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MVA 1988 (Amended 2019)ORIGINALChapter IX
Section 182
Driving Vehicles in Contravention of Section 19 — Driving While Disqualified
Offences, Penalties and Procedure
Fine: ₹10,000Compoundable: NoEndorsement: Yes
BARE ACT PROVISION
Legal Text
Whoever drives a motor vehicle in contravention of any order made under section 19 or in contravention of a disqualification for holding or obtaining a licence imposed under Chapter II, shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine which may extend to ten thousand rupees, or with both.
Simplified Explanation
Section 182 creates the elevated penalty for driving while disqualified — a qualitatively more serious offence than ordinary unlicensed driving under Section 181. The distinction is critical: Section 181 covers those who simply never obtained a licence; Section 182 covers those who had a licence, were specifically disqualified or had it suspended as a legal consequence, and then deliberately drove in defiance of that legal order. The defiance of a court order or licensing authority order elevates this from administrative non-compliance to contemptuous conduct — reflected in the 2-year imprisonment maximum (versus 3 months for Section 181) and the ₹10,000 fine (versus ₹5,000 for Section 181). A drunk driver whose licence was suspended after a DUI conviction who then drives again commits a Section 182 offence — the deliberate violation of the court's protection order justifies the harsher response.
Historical Context
The distinction between unlicensed driving (Section 181) and driving while disqualified (Section 182) reflects different levels of moral culpability — the disqualified driver knows they are legally prohibited from driving and defies that prohibition.Critical Changes
Fine increased from ₹500 to ₹10,000 — 2019 Amendment (20x increase).
Imprisonment: up to 2 years — significantly higher than Section 181's 3 months.
Non-compoundable — court appearance required.
Practical Scenarios
"A driver whose licence was cancelled after three DUI convictions who continues to drive — Section 182, ₹10,000 + potential 2 years."
Common Queries
Section 181 covers driving without ever having a valid licence. Section 182 covers driving while a licence has been specifically disqualified or suspended by legal order — a more serious defiance of authority carrying higher penalties: ₹10,000 fine and up to 2 years imprisonment versus ₹5,000 and 3 months under Section 181.