Section208

The Motor Vehicles Act, 1988

Summary disposal of cases

Q: When did Section 208 of the Motor Vehicles Act come into force?

Section 208 of the Motor Vehicles Act, cited as MV Act 208, 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.

In force From 01 Jul 1989 Act 59 of 1988 As on 15 Oct 2026

Act 59 of 1988 Ministry Road Transport and Highways Enacted 14 Oct 1988 In force 01 Jul 1989

Section 208 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 deals with summary disposal of cases. The Court taking cognizance of any offence (other than an offence which the Central Government may by rules specify in this behalf) under this Act,-- (i) may, if the offence is an offence punishable with imprisonment under this Act; The Act came into force on 01 Jul 1989.

(1) The Court taking cognizance of any offence (other than an offence which the Central Government may by rules specify in this behalf) under this Act,--
(i) may, if the offence is an offence punishable with imprisonment under this Act; and
(ii) shall, in any other case,
state upon the summons to be served on the accused person that he--
(a) may appear by pleader or in person; or
(b) may, by a specified date prior to the hearing of the charge, plead guilty to the charge and remit to the Court, by money order, such sum (not exceeding the maximum fine that may be imposed for the offence) as the Court may specify, and the plea of guilt indicated in the money order coupon itself:
Provided that the Court shall, in the case of any of the offences referred to in sub-section (2), state upon the summons that the accused person, if he pleads guilty, shall so plead in the manner specified in clause (b) and shall forward his driving licence to the Court with his letter containing such plea.
(2) Where the offence dealt with in accordance with sub-section (1) is an offence specified by the Central Government by rules for the purposes of this sub-section, the Court shall, if the accused person pleads guilty to the charge and forward his driving licence to the Court with the letter containing his plea, make an endorsement of such conviction on his driving licence.
(3) Where an accused person pleads guilty and remits the sum specified and has complied with the provisions of sub-section (1), or as the case may be, sub-sections (1) and (2), no further proceedings in respect of the offence shall be taken against him nor shall he be liable, notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Act, to be disqualified for holding or obtaining a licence by reason of his having pleaded guilty.
Section 208, The Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 (Act 59 of 1988).

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.

The State of Tripura Home Department Chief Secretary vs Ramchandra Rabidas @ Ratan Rabidas

Supreme Court of India 04 Oct 2019 Binding (SC) Reportable (2019) 10 SCC 1

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: Summary disposal of cases; provides for compoundable offences where accused can plead guilty and remit fine without further proceedings

Read the full order on eCourts India

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.

High Court 21 Nov 2023 KLHC010680262023

… The limited ground on which the said Government Order has been challenged before this Court is that the said Government Order is in violation to the statutory rules permitted by the Central Government under Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989 in exercise of its powers under Sub 2 Section 14 of Section 88, Sections 110, 137, 164, 208 and 211 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. 3. The emission of smoke, vapour etc. from motor vehicle is regulated under Rule 115 of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989. Under the said rule, the emission norms for various categories of the vehicles have been prescribed including the validity of PUC Certificates in …

Read this order on eCourtsIndia

Questions about Section 208

What have the courts held on Section 208 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: Summary disposal of cases; provides for compoundable offences where accused can plead guilty and remit fine without further proceedings.

How do I find court cases under Section 208 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 208, section 208 MV Act, section 208 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).

When did Section 208 of the Motor Vehicles Act come into force?

Section 208 of the Motor Vehicles Act, cited as MV Act 208, 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

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.