Section58

The Motor Vehicles Act, 1988

Special provisions in regard to transport vehicles

Q: When did Section 58 of the Motor Vehicles Act come into force?

Section 58 of the Motor Vehicles Act, cited as MV Act 58, 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 Cited by 2 provisions Instruments 5

Section 58 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 deals with special provisions in regard to transport vehicles. The Central Government may, having regard to the number, nature and size of the tyres attached to the wheels of a transport vehicle, (other than a motorcab), and its make and model and other relevant considerations, by notification in the Official Gazette, specify, in relation to each make and model The Act came into force on 01 Jul 1989.

(1) The Central Government may, having regard to the number, nature and size of the tyres attached to the wheels of a transport vehicle, (other than a motorcab), and its make and model and other relevant considerations, by notification in the Official Gazette, specify, in relation to each make and model of a transport vehicle, the ¹[maximum gross vehicle weight] of such vehicle and the maximum safe axle weight of each axle of such vehicle.
(2) A registering authority, when registering a transport vehicle, other than a motorcab, shall enter in the record of registration and shall also enter in the certificate of registration of the vehicle the following particulars, namely:--
(a) the unladen weight of the vehicle;
(b) the number, nature and size of the tyres attached to each wheel;
(c) the gross vehicle weight of the vehicle and the registered axle weights pertaining to the several axles thereof; and
(d) if the vehicle is used or adapted to be used for the carriage of passengers solely or in addition to goods, the number of passengers for whom accommodation is provided, and the owner of the vehicle shall have the same particulars exhibited in the prescribed manner on the vehicle.
(3) There shall not be entered in the certificate of registration of any such vehicle any gross vehicle weight or a registered axle weight of any of the axles different from that specified in the notification under sub-section (1) in relation to the make and model of such vehicle and to the number, nature and size of the tyres attached to its wheels:
Provided that where it appears to the Central Government that heavier weights than those specified in the notification under sub-section (1) may be permitted in a particular locality for vehicles of a particular type, the Central Government may, by order in the Official Gazette direct that the provisions of this sub-section shall apply with such modifications as may be specified in the order.
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(5) In order that the gross vehicle weight entered in the certificate of registration of a vehicle may be revised in accordance with the provisions of sub-section (3), the registering authority may require the owner of transport vehicle in accordance with such procedure as may be prescribed to produce the certificate of registration within such time as may be specified by the registering authority.
Section 58, 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.

Referred to by 2

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.

Jantia Hill Truck Owners Association vs S. A. Coal Dealer & Truck Owner Assn

Supreme Court of India 10 Jul 2009 Binding (SC) Reportable

Court's Decision & Legal Precedent

Where a statute confers powers on an authority to do certain acts or exercise power in respect of certain matters subject to rules, the exercise of power conferred by the statute does not depend on the existence of rules unless the statute expressly provides for the same. The expression 'subject to the rules' only means 'in accordance with the rules, if any'. If rules are framed, the powers so conferred could be exercised in accordance with these rules. But if no rules are framed, there is no void and the authority is not precluded from exercising the power conferred by the statute. A statute that is workable even without framing of Rules must be given effect to, as the law does not envisage a vacuum. The State Government is empowered to issue executive orders for matters required to be prescribed by Rules if the statute is workable without them, subject to the condition that such orders do not infringe upon the rights of citizens.

On this section: Authorizes Central Government to notify gross vehicle weight and axle weight of transport vehicles

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.

Made under this section, and citing it

4 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 1 instrument names this provision in its title or its text without being made under it.

Andaman and Nicobar Motor Vehicles Rules 2006Rule 2006

All subordinate legislation

Questions about Section 58

What have the courts held on Section 58 of the Motor Vehicles Act?

Jantia Hill Truck Owners Association vs S. A. Coal Dealer & Truck Owner Assn (10 Jul 2009) is the leading judgment on this section among those set out below: Authorizes Central Government to notify gross vehicle weight and axle weight of transport vehicles.

How do I find court cases under Section 58 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 58, section 58 MV Act, section 58 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 Jantia Hill Truck Owners Association vs S. A. Coal Dealer & Truck Owner Assn (10 Jul 2009).

What should I read with Section 58 of the Motor Vehicles Act, and has it changed?

2 other provisions in this corpus refer back to it. The rules and notifications made under it are where it actually bites, and there are 4: most recently Amendments in the notification of the Government of India in the erstwhile Ministry of Surface Transport, (Transport Wing), number S.O.728(E), dated the 18th October, 1996. (2017), then Notification No. S.O. 3267(E) dated 03.12.2015 (2016), and 2 more.

When did Section 58 of the Motor Vehicles Act come into force?

Section 58 of the Motor Vehicles Act, cited as MV Act 58, 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.