LMV Driving Licence Holders Can Drive Vehicles with 7,500 kg Weight: SC

1. On 6th November 2024, In an important ruling, the Supreme Court of India ruled that people holding a Light Motor Vehicle (LMV) driving license can drive transport vehicles with a weight of up to 7,500 kg.
2. This ruling, given by a five-judge bench led by Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, provides clarity on the rules around driver licenses and is expected to help in cases where insurance companies rejected claims because of the type of driver's licence.

Key Points of the Ruling

1. Who Can Drive What:
   The court ruled that anyone with an LMV licence is allowed to drive transport vehicles that weigh less than 7,500 kg, without needing a special license or approval.

2. Court's Decision:
   The court said that LMVs and transport vehicles are not entirely different categories, and their overlap makes the law more practical.

3. However, it also mentioned that drivers of vehicles carrying hazardous goods will still need special licenses.

4. Impact on Insurance Claims:
   The ruling is important because insurance companies sometimes refused to pay claims if the driver did not have the right license.

5. The court made it clear that LMV license holders driving vehicles under 7,500 kg should not face this issue anymore.

Court's Observations

1. Road Safety:
   The court noted that road safety is a serious issue, with over 1.7 lakh people dying in accidents every year in India.

2. However, there was no proof that accidents involving LMV licence holders driving transport vehicles were a major cause of these deaths.
3. Main Causes of Accidents:
   The court said that the main reasons for accidents include reckless driving, speeding, bad road designs, use of mobile phones while driving, and not following traffic rules, like wearing seatbelts or helmets.
4. The court said these were bigger problems than the type of driver's license.
5. Future Changes in the Law:
   The court also mentioned that the government is working on changes to the Motor Vehicle Act and hoped that these changes would fix any gaps in the current laws.

Legal Context and Background

1. 2017 Mukund Dewangan Case: The ruling builds on a previous case, Mukund Dewangan (2017).
2. In this case, Supreme Court had ruled that LMV license holders could drive transport vehicles weighing up to 7,500 kg.
3. This decision was upheld by the current court.
4. Insurance Disputes: The issue started because insurance companies argued that LMV licence holders should not be allowed to drive certain transport vehicles.
5. This caused problems when drivers filed for insurance claims after accidents.
6. Some courts had ruled in favor of drivers, while insurance companies disagreed.

Court's Rationale

1. Practical Licensing System:
   The court said that with driverless cars becoming more common and app-based ride services growing, the rules for driver licenses need to change to keep up with the times.

2. The court believed that this decision would not hurt road safety and would also help drivers who depend on transport vehicles for their livelihood.

Conclusion

The Supreme Court’s ruling is a big win for drivers with LMV license and insurance claimants. By allowing LMV licence holders to drive vehicles under 7,500 kg, the court made the law more fair and practical, focusing on road safety and helping drivers. The ruling should also make insurance claims easier for those involved in accidents while driving these vehicles.

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