Suspension of driving licence in certain cases

Q: When did Section 21 of the Motor Vehicles Act come into force?

Section 21 of the Motor Vehicles Act, cited as MV Act 21, 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 14 Oct 2026

Act 59 of 1988 Ministry Road Transport and Highways Enacted 14 Oct 1988 In force 01 Jul 1989 Cited by 1 provision Instruments 3

Section 21 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 deals with suspension of driving licence in certain cases. Where, in relation to a person who had been previously convicted of an offence punishable under section 184, a case is registered by a police officer on the allegation that such person has, by such dangerous driving as is referred to in the said section 184, of any class or description of motor vehi The Act came into force on 01 Jul 1989.

(1) Where, in relation to a person who had been previously convicted of an offence punishable under section 184, a case is registered by a police officer on the allegation that such person has, by such dangerous driving as is referred to in the said section 184, of any class or description of motor vehicle caused the death of, or grievous hurt to, one or more persons, the driving licence held by such person shall in relation to such class or description of motor vehicle become suspended--
(a) for a period of six months from the date on which the case is registered, or
(b) if such person is discharged or acquitted before the expiry of the period aforesaid, until such discharge or acquittal, as the case may be.
(2) Where by virtue of the provisions of sub-section (1), the driving licence held by a person becomes suspended, the police officer, by whom the case referred to in sub-section (1) is registered, shall bring such suspension to the notice of the Court competent to take cognizance of such offence, and thereupon, such Court shall take possession of the driving licence, endorse the suspension thereon and intimate the fact of such endorsement to the licensing authority by which the licence was granted or last renewed.
(3) Where the person referred to in sub-section (1) is acquitted or discharged, the Court shall cancel the endorsement on such driving licence with regard to the suspension thereof.
(4) If a driving licence in relation to a particular class or description of motor vehicles is suspended under sub-section (1), the person holding such licence shall be debarred from holding or obtaining any licence to drive such particular class or description of motor vehicles so long as the suspension of the driving licence remains in force.
Section 21, 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

s. 184 Driving dangerously

Referred to by 1

s. 22 Suspension or cancellation of driving licence on conviction

Made under this section, and citing it

1 instrument states 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.

SO 1433(E) dated 31.03.2021 implementation of sections of MV act2019Notification 2021

Another 2 instruments name this provision in its title or its text without being made under it.

All subordinate legislation

Questions about Section 21

What does Section 21 of the Motor Vehicles Act deal with?

Section 21 of the Motor Vehicles Act is headed "Suspension of driving licence in certain cases". Where, in relation to a person who had been previously convicted of an offence punishable under section 184, a case is registered by a police officer on the allegation that such person has, by such dangerous driving as is referred to in the said section 184, of any class or description of motor vehi

How do I find court cases under Section 21 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 21, section 21 MV Act, section 21 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 21 of the Motor Vehicles Act, and has it changed?

Its own text turns on section 184 (Driving dangerously), so none of them can safely be read on its own. 1 other provision in this corpus refers back to it. The rules and notifications made under it are where it actually bites, and there is one: most recently SO 1433(E) dated 31.03.2021 implementation of sections of MV act2019 (2021).

When did Section 21 of the Motor Vehicles Act come into force?

Section 21 of the Motor Vehicles Act, cited as MV Act 21, 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 14 Oct 2026. This page is not a substitute for legal advice.