New Delhi: In a significant ruling for commercial vehicle drivers, the Supreme Court of India has determined that individuals holding a driving licence for a light motor vehicle (LMV) are now authorized to operate a transport vehicle with an unladen weight not exceeding 7,500 kg. The decision, delivered by a five-judge Constitution bench led by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud, provides much-needed clarity in a legal landscape that has confounded many drivers and insurance companies alike. The bench's decision comes as a relief to countless commercial drivers who were previously concerned about the legal limitations placed on their driving capabilities. The ruling also poses a challenge to insurance companies, which have faced scrutiny for rejecting claims linked to accidents involving transport vehicles operated by LMV licence holders.
The insurance firms argued that these claims were invalid since, under existing law, LMV drivers were not authorized to operate heavier vehicles. Justice Hrishikesh Roy, who penned the unanimous verdict, stated, “There is no empirical data that LMV driving licence holders are responsible for the rise in road accidents in the country.” This ruling fundamentally shifts the legal implications surrounding the operation of transport vehicles by LMV drivers, as well as the insurance claims associated with such vehicles. The bench, which also included Justices P S Narasimha, Pankaj Mithal, and Manoj Misra, had previously reserved its verdict on August 21. During the hearings, Attorney General R Venkataramani had indicated that the consultations to amend the Motor Vehicles (MV) Act of 1988 are nearing completion. The Supreme Court urged the Centre to expedite this amendment process to align with the new legal framework established by the ruling.
The core legal question addressed by the bench revolved around whether LMV licence holders could legally operate transport vehicles weighing up to 7,500 kg. This decision is expected to impact the ongoing disputes regarding insurance payouts for accidents involving such vehicles, as many motor accident claim tribunals (MACTs) and courts have historically favored insured individuals despite the objections raised by insurance companies regarding the legitimacy of LMV driving licences. As the legal landscape evolves, this ruling marks a pivotal moment for both commercial drivers seeking to expand their operational capabilities and insurance companies reassessing their policies in the wake of changing legal interpretations. The Supreme Court's directive to the Centre to complete the law amendment process further underscores the urgency of adapting legal frameworks to contemporary needs.
