Driving at excessive speed, etc
Section 183 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 deals with driving at excessive speed, etc. A fine of ₹1,000 to ₹2,000. Whoever, drives [or causes any person who is employed by him or subjects someone under his control to drive] a motor vehicle in contravention of the speed limits referred to in section 112 shall be punishable [in the following manner, namely:-- (i) where such motor vehicle is a light motor vehicle w The Act came into force on 01 Jul 1989.
(1) Whoever, drives 1[or causes any person who is employed by him or subjects someone under his control to drive] a motor vehicle in contravention of the speed limits referred to in section 112 shall be punishable 2[in the following manner, namely:--
(i) where such motor vehicle is a light motor vehicle with fine which shall not be less than one thousand rupees but may extend to two thousand rupees;
(ii) where such motor vehicle is a medium goods vehicle or a medium passenger vehicle or a heavy goods vehicle or a heavy passenger vehicle with fine which shall not be less than two thousand rupees, but may extend to four thousand rupees; and
(iii) for the second or any subsequent offence under this sub-section the driving licence of such driver shall be impounded as per the provisions of the sub-section (4) of section 206.]
3* * * * *
(3) No person shall be convicted of an offence punishable under sub-section (1) solely on the evidence of one witness to the effect that in the opinion of the witness such person was driving at a speed which was unlawful, unless that opinion is shown to be based on an estimate obtained by the use of some mechanical 4[or electronic] device.
(4) The publication of a time table under which, or the giving of any direction that, any journey or part of a journey is to be completed within a specified time shall, if in the opinion of the Court it is not practicable in the circumstances of the case for that journey or part of a journey to be completed in the specified time without contravening the speed limits referred to in section 112 be prima facie evidence that the person who published the time table or gave the direction has committed an offence punishable under 5[sub-section (1)].
Section 183, The Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 (Act 59 of 1988).
Cross-references
Extracted from the operative text of the enactments themselves. Every destination below exists in our corpus.
Related judgements & precedents
These are some judgments that construed this section, and hold precedence value. They hold authority on how to read, interpret and use this section.
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The State of Tripura Home Department Chief Secretary vs Ramchandra Rabidas @ Ratan Rabidas
Court's Decision & Legal Precedent
A prosecution, if otherwise maintainable, would lie both under the Indian Penal Code and the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, since both the statutes operate with full vigour in their own independent spheres. The offences provided under both the statutes are separate and distinct from each other, and an offender can be tried and punished independently under both statutes. The principle that the special law should prevail over the general law has no application in cases of prosecution of offenders in road accidents under the IPC and Motor Vehicles Act, as the offences do not overlap. Section 26 of the General Clauses Act, 1897 permits prosecution under either or both enactments but prevents double punishment for the same offence.
On this section: Offence of driving at excessive speed; provides for fine up to Rs. 400 for first offence and Rs. 1000 for subsequent offences
The holding above is the ratio decidendi as extracted from the judgment by eCourts India, reproduced unaltered — it is a rendering of the court's reasoning, not a substitute for its words. Read the order itself before relying on it.
Judgments citing this section
These may be obiter dicta or a precedent, for you to study. These are the judgments where this section is quoted.
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… It is alleged that on 31.03.2014 at 07:05:47, the petitioner's vehicle was found to be over speeding, in gross violation of the speed limit, thus attracting Section 183 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 ('the Act' for short). 2. According to the counsel for the petitioner, Exhibit P1 is absolutely unsustainable and liable to be set aside. Such proceedings can be issued only on the prosecution establishing the fact that the petitioner had been over speeding. The summary manner in …
Made under this section, and citing it
1 instrument names this provision in its title or its text without being made under it.
Questions about Section 183
What have the courts held on Section 183 of the Motor Vehicles Act?
The State of Tripura Home Department Chief Secretary vs Ramchandra Rabidas @ Ratan Rabidas (04 Oct 2019) is the leading judgment on this section among those set out below: Offence of driving at excessive speed; provides for fine up to Rs. 400 for first offence and Rs. 1000 for subsequent offences.
How do I find court cases under Section 183 of the Motor Vehicles Act?
In judgments and charge sheets this section is written several ways, and each form finds a different set of orders. These search the full text of every order eCourtsIndia holds, best matches first: MV Act 183, section 183 MV Act, section 183 of the Motor Vehicles Act. Each opens the full list of orders on eCourtsIndia, where it can be narrowed by court, year and outcome. 1 reported judgment on this section is set out on this page, beginning with The State of Tripura Home Department Chief Secretary vs Ramchandra Rabidas @ Ratan Rabidas (04 Oct 2019).
What should I read with Section 183 of the Motor Vehicles Act, and has it changed?
Its own text turns on section 112 (Limits of speed), section 206 (Power of police officer to impound document), so none of them can safely be read on its own. 4 other provisions in this corpus refer back to it. One instrument names it without being made under it, most recently 17th GSR 575 (E) 11 August 2021 (2021).
When did Section 183 of the Motor Vehicles Act come into force?
Section 183 of the Motor Vehicles Act, cited as MV Act 183, came into force on 01 Jul 1989, having been enacted on 14 Oct 1988. It is in force as at the date shown on this page.
Other sections of this Act
- 2. Definitions1948 words
- 88. Validation of permits for use outside region in which granted1560 words
- 51. Special provisions regarding motor vehicle subject to hire-purchase agreement, etc1199 words
- 150. Duty of insurers to satisfy judgments and awards against persons insured in respect of third party risks1102 words
- 96. Power of State Government to make rules for the purposes of this Chapter995 words
- 72. Grant of stage carriage permits868 words
Source and method. Compiled from the enactments of Parliament and of the State legislatures as published on India Code, and republished together with commentary and other original matter under section 52(1)(q)(ii) of the Copyright Act, 1957. Structured, cross-referenced and maintained by eCourtsIndia. Text as in force on 14 Oct 2026. This page is not a substitute for legal advice.