Power of the Court to Revoke Your Driving License

Have you wondered about the power of the court to disqualify you from using your driving license under the Indian Motor Vehicles Act? Well, it is the court decision to debar a person from obtaining, renewing or adding to his driving license. So, what are the circumstances under which the court exercises its power of decision on license holders? Read on to discover.

When the Court Decision Favors Disqualification

Here are the provisions under Section 20 Motor Vehicles Act that determine the court’s power of decision to disqualify a license holder:

• When the court evidence proves that a convict used a motor vehicle in committing an offence or crime, the court, under the provisions of the Act, may disqualify that person from holding a driving license for a specific period. This prevents that person from driving all or any class of vehicle as mentioned in his driving license.
• For those convicted under section 132 and Section 134, the court decision for disqualification is generally not less than one month [under sub-section (1)].
• For offences under Section 185, the disqualification period is generally not less than six months.The court decision regarding the disqualification time may vary, if: a person convicted under Section 184 is again convicted under the same section (disqualification extends to five years generally); convicted for offence punishable under Section 189 (usually two years); convicted under Section 192 (one year).
• A person convicted under Section 184 may remain disqualified to drive until the time the licensing authority passes him in the driving test of competence, subsequent to the passing of the order.
• The court has the power to disqualify any appeal that relates to the conviction of an offence.