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MVA 1988 (Amended 2019)ORIGINALChapter IX
Section 183
Driving at Excessive Speed — Overspeeding
Offences, Penalties and Procedure
Fine: ₹1,000–₹4,000Compoundable: YesEndorsement: Yes
BARE ACT PROVISION
Legal Text
Whoever drives a motor vehicle in contravention of the speed limits referred to in section 112 shall be punishable with a fine of one thousand rupees, and in the case of a subsequent offence, with a fine of two thousand rupees for the offence of driving a light motor vehicle at a speed exceeding the prescribed limit, and in the case of medium or heavy motor vehicle, with a fine of two thousand rupees and in case of subsequent offence with a fine of four thousand rupees.
Simplified Explanation
Section 183 is the penalty provision for Section 112 (speed limits) — one of the most frequently enforced traffic provisions in India. The penalty is differentiated by vehicle class and offence history: ₹1,000 for first LMV overspeeding, ₹2,000 for subsequent LMV offences; ₹2,000 for first transport vehicle offence, ₹4,000 for subsequent. The differentiated scale for transport vehicles reflects the disproportionately greater danger of an overloaded truck or bus travelling at excessive speed. Speed camera challans (e-challans) under this provision are legally valid following the 2019 Amendment's electronic enforcement provisions — you may receive a challan by post or through the Vahan platform without being stopped. Licence endorsements under this provision accumulate — three endorsements can lead to licence suspension under Section 19.
Historical Context
Speed is consistently identified as the single largest contributing factor to fatal road accidents in India. The 2019 Amendment's increase in penalties (from ₹400 to ₹1,000 for LMV and ₹1,000 to ₹2,000 for transport vehicles) was part of a comprehensive strategy to deter speeding. The installation of speed cameras on national highways has dramatically increased enforcement.Critical Changes
LMV penalty: ₹400 → ₹1,000 (first), ₹1,000 → ₹2,000 (subsequent) — 2019 Amendment.
Transport vehicle: ₹1,000 → ₹2,000 (first), ₹2,000 → ₹4,000 (subsequent) — 2019 Amendment.
Speed cameras and ANPR systems — e-challans legally valid.
Speed governor mandate (Section 136A) for transport vehicles at 80 km/h.
Practical Scenarios
"First-time speeding caught by NH-48 speed camera — Section 183, ₹1,000 e-challan."
"A truck driver caught speeding twice in the same year — second offence, ₹4,000."
Common Queries
Under Section 183: ₹1,000 for first offence (LMV/cars), ₹2,000 for second offence. Transport vehicles: ₹2,000 (first), ₹4,000 (subsequent). Additionally, a licence endorsement is recorded.
Yes — speed camera and ANPR-generated e-challans are legally valid under the 2019 Amendment. You will receive a notice through post or the Vahan/mParivahan platform requiring payment within the specified period.