Power of licensing authority to disqualify from holding a driving licence or revoke such licence
Section 19 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 deals with power of licensing authority to disqualify from holding a driving licence or revoke such licence. If a licensing authority is satisfied, after giving the holder of a driving licence an opportunity of being heard, that he-- (a) is a habitual criminal or a habitual drunkard; The Act came into force on 01 Jul 1989.
(1) If a licensing authority is satisfied, after giving the holder of a driving licence an opportunity of being heard, that he--
(a) is a habitual criminal or a habitual drunkard; or
(b) is a habitual addict to any narcotic drug or psychotropic substance within the meaning of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 (61 of 1985); or
(c) is using or has used a motor vehicle in the commission of a cognizable offence; or
(d) has by his previous conduct as driver of a motor vehicle shown that his driving is likely to be attended with danger to the public; or
(e) has obtained any driving licence or a licence to drive a particular class or description of motor vehicle by fraud or misrepresentation; or
(f) has committed any such act which is likely to cause nuisance or danger to the public, as may be prescribed by the Central Government, having regard to the objects of this Act; or
(g) has failed to submit to, or has not passed, the tests referred to in the proviso to sub-section (3) of section 22; or
(h) being a person under the age of eighteen years who has been granted a learner's licence or a driving licence with the consent in writing of the person having the care of the holder of the licence and has ceased to be in such care,
it may, for reasons to be recorded in writing, make an order--
(i) disqualifying that person for a specified period for holding or obtaining any driving licence to drive all or any classes or descriptions of vehicles specified in the licence; or
(ii) revoke any such licence.
1[(1A) Where a licence has been forwarded to the licensing authority under sub-section (4) of section 206, the licensing authority, if satisfied after giving the holder of the driving licence an opportunity of being heard, may either discharge the holder of a driving licence or, it may for detailed reasons recorded in writing, make an order disqualifying such person from holding or obtaining any licence to drive all or any class or description of vehicles specified in the licence--
(a) for a first offence, for a period of three months;
(b) for a second or subsequent offence, with revocation of the driving licence of such person:
Provided that where a driving licence is revoked under this section, the name of the holder of such driving licence may be placed in the public domain in such manner as may be prescribed by the Central Government.]
(2) Where an order under sub-section (1) 2[or sub-section (1A)] is made, the holder of a driving licence shall forthwith surrender his driving licence to the licensing authority making the order, if the driving licence has not already been surrendered, and the licensing authority shall,--
(a) if the driving licence is a driving licence issued under this Act, keep it until the disqualification has expired or has been removed; or
(b) if it is not a driving licence issued under this Act, endorse the disqualification upon it and send it to the licensing authority by which it was issued; or
(c) in the case of revocation of any licence, endorse the revocation upon it and if it is not the authority which issued the same, intimate the fact of revocation to the authority which issued that licence:
3[Provided that the driving licence shall be returned to the holder at the end of the period of disqualification only if he successfully completes the driver refresher training course.]
4 [(2A) The licence holder whose licence has been suspended shall undergo the driver refresher training course from a school or establishment licenced and regulated under section 12 or such other agency, as may be notified by the Central Government.
(2B) The nature, syllabus and duration of the driver refresher training course shall be such as may be prescribed by the Central Government.]
(3) Any person aggrieved by an order made by a licensing authority under sub-section (1) 2[or subsection (1A)] may, within thirty days of the receipt of the order, appeal to the prescribed authority, and such appellate authority shall give notice to the licensing authority and hear either party if so required by that party and may pass such order as it thinks fit and an order passed by any such appellate authority shall be final.
Section 19, 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.
This section refers to
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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… The appellate authority also took note of the earlier similar offence committed by the petitioner. The appellate authority therefore rejected the appeal. 13. Section 19 of the Motor Vehicles Act provides that if a licensing authority is satisfied after giving the holder of a driving licence an opportunity of being heard, that he has by his previous conduct as driver of a motor vehicle shown that his driving is likely to be attended with danger to the public, it may for reasons to …
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… COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: J U D G M E N T The petitioner, who is a driver by profession, has approached this Court seeking the following reliefs: > "(i) Issue a writ of mandamus or any other appropriate writ or order restraining the 3rd respondent from invoking the provisions of Section 19 of the Motor Vehicles Act for want of territorial jurisdiction. > (ii) Issue a writ of mandamus or any other appropriate writ or order restraining the respondents 1 to 3 from suspending the licence of the petitioner without considering Ext.P4 objection and also without providing the petitioner with an opportunity …
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… On 20.03.2021, petitioner's driving licence was impounded by the police. 3. On 05.07.2021, the petitioner was issued with a show cause notice by the respondent, in terms of Section 19 of the Motor Vehicles Act, requiring to show cause why he shall not be disqualified for holding licence. The petitioner submitted Ext.P3 reply on 13.08.2021. According to the petitioner, on the very same day Ext.P4 order was passed without considering his explanations. It is aggrieved thereby, the petitioner has …
Made under this section, and citing it
2 instruments state that it was made under this provision — the power to make it comes from here, so a change to any of them changes what this section requires in practice. Newest first.
Another 4 instruments name this provision in its title or its text without being made under it.
Questions about Section 19
What does Section 19 of the Motor Vehicles Act deal with?
Section 19 of the Motor Vehicles Act is headed "Power of licensing authority to disqualify from holding a driving licence or revoke such licence". If a licensing authority is satisfied, after giving the holder of a driving licence an opportunity of being heard, that he-- (a) is a habitual criminal or a habitual drunkard;
How do I find court cases under Section 19 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 19, section 19 MV Act, section 19 of the Motor Vehicles Act. Each opens the full list of orders on eCourtsIndia, where it can be narrowed by court, year and outcome.
What should I read with Section 19 of the Motor Vehicles Act, and has it changed?
Its own text turns on section 12 (Licensing and regulation of schools or establishments for imparting instruction in driving of motor vehicles), section 22 (Suspension or cancellation of driving licence on conviction), 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. The rules and notifications made under it are where it actually bites, and there are 2: most recently 6th G.S.R 240(E) dated 31.03.2021 Committe A licensing of drivers (2021), then SO 1433(E) dated 31.03.2021 implementation of sections of MV act2019 (2021).
When did Section 19 of the Motor Vehicles Act come into force?
Section 19 of the Motor Vehicles Act, cited as MV Act 19, 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 15 Oct 2026. This page is not a substitute for legal advice.