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2005(1) JLJ 85
(SUPREME COURT)
V.N. Khare, C.J.I., D.M. Dharmadhikari and S.B. Sinha, JJ.
National Insurance Co. Ltd. v. Swaran-Singh and others
Special Leave Petition (C) No. 9027 of 2003 with SLPs (C) No. 10017
of 2003 etc; Decided on 5.1.2004.
Interpretation of section 149(2) (a) (ii) vis-a-vis, the proviso appended to sub-sections (4) and (5) of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 is involved in this batch of special leave petitions filed by the National-insurance Company Limited. [Para 1
Held : The provision for compulsory insurance indisputably has been made inter alia with a view to protect the right of a third party. (1996) 5 SCC 21 relied on. [Paras 17 & 18
Indisputably, such a benefit to a third party was provided under the Statute keeping in view the fact that the conditions in the assured‘s policy may be of no or little effect in relation to a claim by a person to whom an assured was under a compulsorily insurable liability.
[Para 23
(2) Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 -- S. 147 -- third party right under the insurance policy -- any condition whereby right of third party is taken away is void. [Para 22
(3) Words and Phrases -- word ‘accident‘ -- is not susceptible to a very precise definition -- in popular and ordinary sense, it is an unlooked -- for mishap or an untoward event which is not expected or designed‘. [Paras 24 & 25
(4) Words and Phrases -- word ‘accident‘ -- means an ‘unintended occurrence which has an adverse physical result‘. (1972) 1 WLR 228 relied on. [Para 26
(5) Words and Phrases -- word ‘accident‘ -- not equivalent to ‘inevitable accident‘ -- ‘negligence‘ and ‘accident‘ are not mutually exclusive terms -- they may co-exist -- sometimes used to describe ‘unanticipated or unavoidable occurrence‘. (1976) 2 Lloyd‘s Rep. 108, (1975) DLR (3d) 1 and (1964) 49 WWR 644 relied on. [Para 26
(6) Words and Phrases -- word ‘accident‘ -- an injury caused by wilful or even criminal act of a third person -- is to be regarded as accidental for the purposes of the policy. Halsbury‘s Laws of England, Fourth Edn. relied on. [Para 27
(7) Words and Phrases -- word ‘accident‘ -- illustration -unintended injuries -- are accidental -- ‘accident includes negligence‘ Colinvaux‘s Law of Insurance, 6th Edn., P. 304 relied on. [Para 28
(8) Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 -- S. 149(2) -- beneficent provision -- attracts even when death or bodily injury is caused as a result of assured‘s own voluntary act -- unforeseeable result of assured‘s deliberate act may come within the purview of accident.
What would also be covered by the contract of insurance vis-a- vis the beneficent statutory provisions like sub-section (2) of section 149 of the said Act would be when a death or bodily injury •has been caused as a result of assured‘s own voluntary act. Even an unforeseeable result of assured‘s deliberate act may come within the purview of the accident. Even if an accident has occurred due to negligent driving of the assured person, it may not prevent recovery under the policy and certainly thereby a third party would not be non-suited. [Para 31
(9) Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 -- S. 149(1) -- liability of insurer -- to be determined having regard as to whether any extra premium is paid or not. [Para 32
(10) Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 -- S. 149(1) -- liability to pay the decretal amount to the person entitled -- rests with insurer -- provision has created a fiction ‘as if he were the judgment debtor‘.
Sub-section (1) of section 149, casts a liability upon the insurer to pay to the person entitled to the benefit of the decree as if he were the judgment-debtor. Although the said liability is subject to the provision of this section, it prefaces with a non-obstante clause that the insurer may be entitled to avoid or cancel or may have avoided or cancelled the policy. Furthermore, the statute raises a legal fiction to the effect that for the said purpose, the insurer would be deemed to be judgment-debtor in respect of the liability of the insured. [para 34
(11) Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 -- S. 149(2) -- defence available to insurance company -- is limited -- notice of proceedings given to insurer -- it can defend action on any of the grounds mentioned in the provision. (2002) 7 SCC 456 and (2003) 1 SCR 567 relied on.
[Paras 36 & 38
(12) Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 -- Ss. 149(2) (a) (ii), 3 and 181 -- under S. 3 words used are ‘effective licence‘ -- words used in S. 149(2) (a) (ii) are ‘duly licensed‘ -- if no effective licence exists, driver may be liable for prosecution under S. 181 -- provision penal in nature vis-a-vis provision beneficial to third party -- to be interpreted differently.
[Paras 41 & 42
(13) Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 -- Ss. 14 proviso and 15 -- licence expired on date of accident -- may be got renewed -- proviso clearly states that licence after expiry remains valid for thirty days. [Para 43
(14) Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 -- S. 149(2) (a) (ii) -- accident taking place without any fault on the part of driver -- question whether driver is holding valid licence or not would become redundant. IT 2003(5) SC 538 relied on. [Para 62
(15) Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 -- S. 149(2) -- insured proving that accident is covered by compulsory insurance clause -- it is for the insurer to prove that it comes within an exception. Mac Gillivray on Insurance Law, 1999 ACJ 171 and (1996) 5 SCC 21 relied on.
[Paras 64 to 67
(16) Interpretation of Statutes -- beneficent statute -- must receive a liberal interpretation. (1978) 2 SCC 213, (2001) 7 SCC 1, (2002) 5 SCC 510, (1983) 3 SCC 437 and (2003) 4 SCC 524 relied on.
[Para 70
(17) Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 -- Ss. 149(1) and 149(2) -- liability of insurer -- is statutory -- there are four conditions for fulfillment of liability. Halsbury‘s Laws of England, Fourth Edn. Vol. 25 and (1996) 5 SCC 21 relied on. [Paras 71 to 74
(18) Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 -- Ss. 149(4) and 149(2) (b) -- except under the situation provided by section 149(2) (b) -- insurer cannot avoid the liability because it has got rights against the owner under S. 149(4). 1998 ACJ 1318, (1960) 1 SCR 168, (1996) 5 SCC 21, 1987 ILJ 662 (SC), (1989) 4 SCC 128 and (2001) 4 SCC 342 relied on. [Paras 75 to 78
(19) Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 -- S. 149(5) -- insurer not initially liable -- if any amount is still paid by it, the same can be recovered from the assured. [Para 81
(20) Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 -- Ss. 149(7), 149(1) and 149(2) -- provisions are to be read together -- even if defence of insurer is accepted, it can be directed to satisfy decree at first instance and recover it from owner. [Para 81
(21) Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 -- Ss. 149(2) (a) (ii), 3, 4 and 5 -- licence not obtained by driver -- allowed consciously by owner to drive -- insurer is entitled to succeed in defence. JT 2003(5) SC 538, 1998 ACJ 601 (Del.), 1998 ACJ 1074 and 1999 ACJ 615 approved. 1989 ACJ 1078 (SC) relied on. [Paras 82 to 85
(22) Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 -- Ss. 149(2) (a) (ii), 10(2), 2 and 3 -- driver having driving licence for one type of vehicle -- driving another type of vehicle -- minor breaches do not affect the case -- Tribunal can direct insurer to establish its claim before civil Court.
[Paras 86 to 89
(23) Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 -- S. 149(2) (a) (ii) -- driver having fake licence -- insurer can have defence of such nature -- insurer has to prove wilful breach on part of insured. (2003) 3 SCC 338 and (2001) 4 SCC 342 discussed. [Paras 90 & 97
(24) Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 -- Ss. 149(2) (a) (ii), 7(2), 3(2), 10(3) and 14 -- driver of offending vehicle having learner‘s licence -- he is ‘duly licensed‘ -- insurer is liable to satisfy the decree. 1991 ACJ 298 approved. (1996) 2 SCC 328 distinguished. [Paras 91 to 94
(25) Legal Maxims -- ‘stare decisis‘ -- law occupying field for a long time -- Court should not deviate from that principle. (1955) 2 SCR 603, (1965) 2 SCR 908, (1989) 3 SCR 316, (1993) 1 SCC 364, 1993 Suppl. (1) SCC 96 and 1992 Suppl. (2) SCC 213 relied on.
¼1½ eksVj ;ku vf/kfu;e] 1988 && /kkjk 149] 146 rFkk v/;k; 11 && vfuok;Z chek dk mica/k && ijO;fDr ds vf/kdkj ds laj{k.k ds fy, fd;k x;k gS && v/;k; 11 ds v/khu mica/k chfer O;fDRk vFkok chek daiuh ls izfrdj dk nkok djus ds fy, nq?kZVuk esa vkgr O;fDr;ksa ds fy, Qk;nkizn gSA us‘kuy bU‘;ksjsUl daiuh fyfeVsM }kjk Qkby fo‘ks"k btktr ;kfpdkvksa ds bl iqat esa eksVj ;ku vf/kfu;e] 1988 dh /kkjk 149 dh mi/kkjk ¼4½ rFkk ¼5½ ls layXu mica/k ds lEeq[k /kkjk 149¼2½¼d½ dk fuoZpu varoZfyr gSA ¿ iSjk 1À vfHkfu/kkZfjr % vfuok;Z chek dk mica/k] vU; ckrksa ds lkFk] fufoZokn :i ls ijO;fDr ds vf/kdkj ds laj{k.k dh n`f"V ls cuk;k x;k gSA ¿ iSjk 17 ,oa 18À fufoZokn :i ls] dkuwu ds v/khu ijO;fDr dks ,slk Qk;nk ;g rF; n`f"V esa j[krs gq, micaf/kr fd;k x;k Fkk fd chfer O;fDr dh ikfylh dh ‘krsZ ,sls O;fDr }kjk nkos ds laca/k esa fu"izHkkoh vFkok U;k; izHkko dh gks ldrh gSa ftlds izfr chfer O;fDr dk vfuok;Zr% chek&;ksX; nkf;Ro FkkA ¼1996½5 ,l lh lh 21 voyafcrA ¿ iSjk 23À ¼2½ eksVj ;ku vf/kfu;e] 1988 && /kkjk 147 && chek ikfylh ds v/khu ijO;fDr vf/kdkj && ,slh dksbZ Hkh ‘krZ ‘kwU; gS ftlls ijO;fDr dk vf/kdkj fNurk gksA ¿ iSjk 22À ¼3½ ‘‘kCn rFkk okD; && ‘‘kCn *nq?kZVuk* && cgqr lqfuf‘pr ifjHkk"kk ugha dh tk ldrh && yksdfiz; rFkk lkekU; vFkZ esa og vizR;kf‘kr vuFkZ gS vFkok vfiz; ?kVuk gS tks izR;kf‘kr ;k ifjdfYir ugha gksA ¿ iSjk 24 ,oa 25À ¼4½ ‘‘kCn rFkk okD; && ‘‘kCn *nq?kZVuk* && dk vFkZ gS] *vuk‘kf;r ?kVuk ftldk izfrdwy ‘kkjhfjd ifj.kke gks*A ¼1972½ 1 MCY;w ,y vkj 228 voyafcrA ¿ iSjk 26À ¼5½ ‘‘kCn rFkk okD; && ‘‘kCn *nq?kZVuk* && *vo‘;aHkkoh nq?kZVuk* ds leku ugha gS && mis{kk* rFkk *nq?kZVuk* ,d&nwljs dk viotZu djus okys ‘‘kCn ugha gS && mudk lg&vfLrRo gks ldrk gS && dHkh&dHkh *vizR;kf‘kr vFkok vifjgk;Z ?kVuk* ds fooj.k ds fy, iz;qDrA ¼1976½ 2 yk;M~l vkj bZ ih 108] ¼1975½ Mh ,y vkj ¼3Mh½ 1 rFkk ¼1964½ 49 MCY;w MCY;w vkj 644 voyafcrA ¿ iSjk 26À ¼6½ ‘‘kCn rFkk okD; && ‘‘kCn *nq?kZVuk* && ijO;fDr }kjk tkucw> dj fd, x, d`R; vFkok vkijkf/kd d`R; }kjk Hkh dkfjr {kfr && ikfylh ds iz;kstuFkZ nq?kZVuktU; le>h tk,xhA gSYlcjh d`r ykt vkQ baXySM] prqFkZ laLdj.k voyafcrA ¿ iSjk 27À ¼7½ ‘‘kCn rFkk okD; && ‘‘kCn *nq?kZVuk* && n`"Vkar && vuk‘kf;r {kfr;k¡ && nq?kZVuktU; gSa && *nq?kZVuk esa mis{kk lfEefyr gksrh gS*A dksfyuoks d`r yk vkQ bU‘;ksjsUl] "k"Be laLdj.k] i`"B 304 voyafcrA ¼8½ eksVj ;ku vf/kfu;e] 1988 && /kkjk 149¼2½ && Qk;nkizn mica/k && e`R;q vFkok ‘kkjhfjd {kfr Lo;a chfer O;fDr ds LoSfPNd dk;Z ds ifj.kkeLo:i dkfjr gqbZ gks rc Hkh vkd`‘V gksrk gS && chfer O;fDr }kjk tkucw> dj fd, x, dk;Z dk vizR;kf‘kr ifj.kke nq?kZVuk dh ifjf/k esa vk ldrk gSA mDr vf/kfu;e dh /kkjk 149 dh mi/kkjk ¼2½ tSls Qk;nkizn mica/kksa ds lEeq[k chek lafonk }kjk vkSj Hkh tks vkPNfnr gksxk og gS Lo;a chfer O;fDr ds LoSfPNd dk;Z ds ifj.kkeLo:i dkfjr e`R;q vFkok ‘kkjhfjd {kfrA chfer O;fDr }kjk tkucw> dj fd, x, dk;Z dk vizR;kf‘kr ifj.kke Hkh nq?kZVuk dh ifjf/k eas vk ldrk gSA nq?kZVuk chfer O;fDr }kjk mis{kkiwoZd xkM+h pyk, tkus ds dkj.k gqbZ gks rc Hkh mlls ikfylh ds v/khu olwyh fuokfjr ugha gksxh rFkk fuf‘pr :i ls mlls ijO;fDr okn&oftZr ugha gksxkA ¿ iSjk 31À ¼9½ eksVj ;ku vf/kfu;e] 1988 && /kkjk 149¼1½ && chekdrkZ dk nkf;Ro && bl ckr dk /;ku j[krs gq, vo/kkfjr fd;k tk,xk fd vfrfjDr izhfe;e lanÙk fd;k x;k gS vFkok ughaA ¿ iSjk 32À ¼10½ eksVj ;ku vf/kfu;e] 1988 && /kkjk 149¼1½ && gdnkj O;fDr dks fMØhr jde lanÙk djus dk nkf;Ro && chekdrkZ ij gS && mica/k esa *ekuks og fu.khZr&_.kh gks* dh dYiuk dh xbZ gSA /kkjk 149 dh mi/kkjk ¼1½ eas chekdrkZ ij fMØh dk Qk;nk mBkus ds gdnkj O;fDr dks bl izdkj lank; djus dk nkf;Ro Mkyk x;k gS ekuks og fu.khZr&_.kh gksA ;|fi mDr nkf;Ro bl /kkjk ds mica/k ds v/;/khu gS] rFkkfi og bl loksZifj [kaM ls izkjaHk gksrk gS fd chekdrkZ ikfylh dks ‘kwU; djus ;k jÌ djus dk gdnkj gS vFkok mlus ikfylh jÌ ;k ‘kwU; dj nh gSA blds vfrfjDr] bl dkuwu esa bl vk‘k; dh fof/kd dYiuk dh xbZ gS fd mDr iz;kstukFkZ chekdrkZ chfer O;fDr ds nkf;Ro ds laca/k esa fu.khZr&_.kh le>k tk,xkA ¿ iSjk 34À ¼11½ eksVj ;ku vf/kfu;e] 1988 && /kkjk 149¼2½ && chekdrkZ daiuh dks miyC/k izfrj{kk && lhfer gS && chekdrkZ dks dk;Zokgh dh lwpuk nh xbZ && og mica/k esa mfYyf[kr fdlh Hkh vk/kkj ij vuq;kstu eas izfrj{kk dj ldrk gSA ¼2002½7 ,l lh lh 456 rFkk ¼2003½ 1 ,l lh vkj 567 voayfcrA ¿ iSjk 36 ,oa 38À ¼12½ eksVj ;ku vf/kfu;e] 1988 && /kkjk 149¼2½¼d½
¼13½ eksVj ;ku vf/kfu;e] 1988 && /kkjk 14 ijarqd rFkk 15 && ?kVuk ds fnukad dks pkyu&vuqKfIr volkfur && uohd`r djkbZ tk ldrh gS && ijarqd esa Li"Vr% dgk x;k gS fd volku ds i‘pkr~ pkyu&vuqKfIr rhl fnu rd fof/kekU; jgrh gSA ¿ iSjk 43À
¼14½ eksVj ;ku vf/kfu;e] 1988 && /kkjk 149¼2½¼d½
(ii) && nq?kZVuk pkyd dh vksj ls fdlh =qfV ds fcuk ?kVh && pkyd ds ikl fof/kekU; pkyu&vuqKfIr gS vFkok ugha] ;g iz‘u O;FkZ gks tk,xkA ts Vh 2003¼5½ ,l lh 538 voyafcrA ¿ iSjk 62À ¼15½ eksVj ;ku vf/kfu;e] 1988 && /kkjk 149¼2½ chfer O;fDr }kjk lkfcr fd;k x;k fd nq?kZVuk vfuok;Z chek [kaM }kjk vkPNkfnr gS && og viokn eas vkrh gS ;g chekdrkZ dks lkfcr djuk gksxkA eSd fxfyojs d`r bU‘;ksjsUl ykW] 1999 , lh ts 171 rFkk ¼1996½5 ,l lh lh 21 voyafcrA
¿ iSjk 64 ,oa 67À
¼16½ fof/k dk fuoZpu && Qk;nkizn dkuwu && vko‘;dr% mnkj fuoZpu fd;k tkuk pkfg,A ¼1978½ 2 ,l lh lh 213] ¼2001½ 7 ,l lh lh 1] ¼2002½ 5 ,l lh lh 510] ¼1983½ 3 ,l lh lh 437 rFkk ¼2003½ 4 ,l lh lh 524 voyafcrA ¿ iSjk 70À
¼17½ eksVj ;ku vf/kfu;e] 1988 && /kkjk 149¼1½ rFkk 149¼2½ && chekdrkZ dk nkf;Ro && dkuwuh gS && nkf;Ro dh iwfrZ dh pkj ‘krsZa gSaA gSYLcjh d`r ykWt vkQ baXySM] prqFkZ laLdj.k ftYn 25] ¼1996½5 ,l lh lh 21 rFkk 1998, lh ts 1318 voyafcrA ¿ iSjk 71 ,oa 74À
¼18½ eksVj ;ku vf/kfu;e] 1988 && /kkjk 149¼4½ rFkk 149¼2½¼[k½ && 149¼2½¼[k½ esa micaf/kr fLFkfr NksM+ dj && chekdrkZ nkf;Ro ls ugha cp ldrk D;ksafd mls /kkjk 149¼4½ ds v/khu Lokeh ds fo#) vf/kdkj izkIr gSaA 1998 , lh ts 1318] ¼1960½ 1 ,l lh vkj 168] ¼1996½5 ,l lh lh 21] 1987 ts ,y ts 662 ¼,l lh½] ¼1989½ 4 ,l lh lh 128 rFkk ¼2001½ 4 ,l lh lh 342 voyafcrA ¿ iSjk 75 ,oa 78À
¼19½ eksVj ;ku vf/kfu;e] 1988 && /kkjk 149¼5½ && vkjaHk es chekdrkZ n;h ugah && fQj Hkh ;fn mlds }kjk dksbZ jde lanÙk dj nh xbZ gks rc og chfer ls olwyh tk ldrh gSA
¿ iSjk 81À
¼20½ eksVj ;ku vf/kfu;e] 1988 && /kkjk 149¼7½] 149¼1½ rFkk 149¼2½ && mica/k ,d&lkFk i<s+ tkuk gksxsa && chekdrkZ dh izfrj{kk Lohdkj dj yh t, rc Hkh mls izFker% fMØh dh rqf"V djus rFkk fQj Lokeh ls olwyus dk funs‘k fn;k tk ldrk gSA ¿ iSjk 81À
¼21½ eksVj ;ku vf/kfu;e] 1988 && /kkjk 149¼2½¼d½
(ii)] 3] 4 rFkk 5 pkyd }kjk pkyu&vuqKfIr vfHkizkIr ugha && Lokeh esa tkurs gq, pykus fn;k && chekdrkZ izfrj{kk esa lQy gksus dk gdnkj gSA ts Vh 2003¼5½ ,l lh 538] 1998 , lh ts 601 ¼fnYyh½] 1998 , lh ts 1074 rFkk 1999 , lh ts 615 vuqeksfnrA 1989 , lh ts 1078 ¼,l lh½ voyafcrA ¿ iSjk 82 ls 85À¼22½ eksVj ;ku vf/kfu;e] 1988 && /kkjk 149¼2½¼d½
(ii)] 10¼2½] 2 rFkk 3 pkyd ds ikl ,d izdkj dk ;ku pykus dh vuqKfIr && vU; izdkj dk ;ku pyk;k x;k && xkS.k Hkaxks ls ekeyk izHkkfor ugha gksrk && vf/kdj.k chekdrkZ dks flfoy U;k;ky; ds le{k viuk nkok fl) djus dk funs‘k ns ldrk gSA ¿ iSjk 86 ls 89À¼23½ eksVj ;ku vf/kfu;e] 1988 && /kkjk 149¼2½¼d½
(ii) pkyd ds ikl udyh pkyu&vuqKfIr && chekdrkZ bl izd`fr dh izfrj{kk dk vkJ; ys ldrk gS && chekdrkZ dks chfer O;fDr }kjk tkucw> dj Hkax fd;k tkuk lkfcr djuk gksrk gSA ¼2003½ 3 ,l lh lh 338 rFkk ¼2001½ 4 ,l lh lh 342 foosfprA ¿ iSjk 90 ls 97À¼24½ eksVj ;ku vf/kfu;e] 1988 && /kkjk 149¼2½¼d½
(ii)] 7¼2½] ¼3½2] 10¼3½ rFkk 14 vijk/k esa fyIr ;ku ds pkyd ds ikl f‘k{kkFkhZ&vuqKfIr && og *lE;d~ :i ls vuqKIr* gS && chekdrkZ fMØh dh rqf"V djus dk nk;h gSA 1991 , lh ts 298 vuqeksfnrA ¼1996½2 ,l lh lh 328 vuqeksfnrA ¿ iSjk 91 ls 94À¼25½ fof/kd lw= && *fu.khZrkuqlj.k* && yacs le; ls izo`Ùk fof/k && U;k;ky; dks ml fl)kar ls fopfyr ugha gksuk pkfg,A ¼1955½ 2 ,l lh vkj 603] ¼1965½ 2 ,l lh vkj 908] ¼1989½3 ,l lkh vkj 316] ¼1993½1 ,l lh lh 364] 1993 lIyh- ¼1½ ,l lh lh 96 rFkk 1992 lIyh- ¼2½ ,l lh lh 213 voyafcrA ¿ iSjk 103 ls 104À
1. Interpretation of section 149(2) (a) (ii) vis-a-vis, the proviso appended to sub-sections (4) and (5) of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 is involved in this batch of special leave petitions filed by the National Insurance Company Limited. (hereinafter referred to as Insurer) assailing various awards of the Motor Vehicle Claims Tribunal and judgments of the High Courts.
2. In view of the fact that these petitions involve pure questions of law, it is not necessary to advert to the individual fact pertaining to each matter.
3. Suffice, however, it to point out that the vehicles insured with the petitioners were involved in accidents resulting in filing of claim applications by the respective legal representatives of the deceased or the injured person(s), as the case may be.
4. Defences raised by the petitioner company in the claim petition purported to be in terms of section 149(2) (a) (ii) of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 (hereinafter referred to as 'the Act') were: (a) driving licence produced by the driver or owner of the vehicle was a fake one; (b) driver did not have any licence whatsoever; (c) licence, although was granted to the concerned driver but on expiry thereof,• the same had not been renewed; (d) licence granted to the drivers being for one class or description of vehicle but the vehicle involved in the accident was of different class or description; and (e) the vehicle in question was driven by a person having a learner's licence.
5. Before we proceed further in the matter it is relevant to notice certain relevant statutory provisions which are :
"2(10) "driving licence" means the licence issued by a competent authority under Chapter II authorising the person specified therein to drive, otherwise than as a learner, a motor vehicle or a motor vehicle of any specified class or description;
3. Necessity for driving licence -- (1) No person shall drive a motor vehicle in any public place unless he holds an effective driving licence issued to him authorising him to drive the vehicle; and no person shall so drive a transport vehicle other than a motor cab or motor cycle hired for his own use or rented under any scheme made under sub-section (2) of section 75 unless his driving licence specifically entitled him so to do.
(2) The conditions subject to which sub-section (1) shall not apply to a person receiving instructions in driving a motor vehicle shall be such as may be prescribed by the Central Government.
4. Age limit in connection with driving of motor vehicles -- (1) No person under the age of eighteen years shall drive a motor vehicle in any public place: .
Provided that a motor cycle with engine capacity not exceeding 50cc may be driven in a public place by a person after attaining the age of sixteen years.
(2) Subject to the provisions of section 18, no person under the age of twenty years shall drive a transport vehicle in any public place.
(3) No learner's licence or driving licence shall be issued to any person to drive a vehicle of the class to which he has made an application unless he is eligible to drive that class of vehicle under this section.
5. Responsibility of owners of motor vehicles for contravention of sections 3 and 4 -- No owner or person in charge of a motor vehicle shall cause or permit any person who does not satisfy the provisions of section 3 or section 4 to drive the vehicle.
6. Restrictions on the holding of driving licences -- (1) No person shall, while he holds any driving licence for the time being in force, hold any other driving licence except a learner's licence or a driving licence issued in accordance with the provisions of section 18 or a document authorising, in accordance with the rules made under section 139, the person specified therein to drive a motor vehicle.
(2) No holder of a driving 1icence or a learner's licence shall permit it to be used by any other person.
(3) Nothing in this section shall prevent a licensing authority having the jurisdiction referred to in sub-section (1) of
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