Application of Chapter to trailers

Q: When did Section 61 of the Motor Vehicles Act come into force?

Section 61 of the Motor Vehicles Act, cited as MV Act 61, 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

Section 61 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 deals with application of Chapter to trailers. The provisions of this Chapter shall apply to the registration of trailers as they apply to the registration of any other motor vehicle. The Act came into force on 01 Jul 1989.

(1) The provisions of this Chapter shall apply to the registration of trailers as they apply to the registration of any other motor vehicle.
(2) The registration mark assigned to a trailer shall be displayed in such manner on the side of the drawing vehicle, as may be prescribed by the Central Government.
(3) No person shall drive a motor vehicle to which a trailer is or trailers are attached unless the registration mark of the motor vehicle so driven is displayed on the trailer or on the last trailer in the train, as the case may be, in such manner as may be prescribed by the Central Government.
Section 61, 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.

Chairman, R. S. R. T. C. vs Santosh

Supreme Court of India 10 May 2013 Binding (SC) - Landmark precedent establishing nationwide binding interpretation Reportable

Court's Decision & Legal Precedent

A vehicle is a motor vehicle under Section 2(28) of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 if it is mechanically propelled and adapted for use upon roads, regardless of its primary purpose or actual use. The test is the vehicle's suitability for road use and mechanical propulsion, not whether it is primarily used for agriculture or other purposes. Accordingly, Jugaads are motor vehicles subject to all provisions of the Act including registration, insurance, and driver licensing requirements, unless specifically exempted by state notification for vehicles exclusively used for agricultural purposes with appropriate specifications. This classification is enforceable through statutory authority actions, and the Supreme Court may issue directions to ensure compliance with existing law to address public safety concerns and legislative gaps.

On this section: Registration requirements for motor vehicles and trailers; mandatory for Jugaads

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 15 Oct 2009 KLHC010323012008

… A goods carriage means any motor vehicle constructed or adapted for use solely for the carriage of goods. The word trailer also is defined under the Motor Vehicles Act. Trailer means any vehicle other than a semi trailer and a side car, drawn or intended to be drawn by a motor vehicle. Section 61 of the Motor Vehicles Act specifically deals with the question whether trailers require registration. Under Section 61, the provisions of the chapter shall apply to the registration of the trailers as they apply to the registration of any other motor vehicle. Under Section 59 of the Motor Vehicles Act subject to the …

Read this order on eCourtsIndia

Questions about Section 61

What have the courts held on Section 61 of the Motor Vehicles Act?

Chairman, R. S. R. T. C. vs Santosh (10 May 2013) is the leading judgment on this section among those set out below: Registration requirements for motor vehicles and trailers; mandatory for Jugaads.

How do I find court cases under Section 61 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 61, section 61 MV Act, section 61 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 Chairman, R. S. R. T. C. vs Santosh (10 May 2013).

When did Section 61 of the Motor Vehicles Act come into force?

Section 61 of the Motor Vehicles Act, cited as MV Act 61, 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.