Supreme Court Allows LMV License Holders to Drive Transport Vehicles

The Supreme Court’s five-judge Constitution bench ruled on Wednesday that individuals holding a light motor vehicle (LMV) license are permitted to drive transport vehicles with a gross weight of up to 7,500 kg. Headed by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, said that road accidents are a matter of concern in the country but the petitions filed by insurance companies failed to provide any empirical proof that LMV license holders had resulted in more accidents.

The ruling addresses a longstanding legal question on whether LMV license holders can legally operate light transport vehicles, a matter that has sparked disputes over insurance claim payments in cases involving LMV-licensed drivers. Insurance firms argued that Motor Accident Claim Tribunals (MACTs) and courts often mandated them to pay claims despite objections regarding LMV license validity for transport vehicles. The bench, which also included Justices Hrishikesh Roy, P.S. Narasimha, Pankaj Mithal, and Manoj Misra, had reserved its decision on August 21.

Supreme Court's 2017 Verdict on LMV Classification for Transport Vehicles

In 2017, the Supreme Court, in Mukund Dewangan vs. Oriental Insurance Co. Ltd., ruled that transport vehicles with a gross weight not exceeding 7,500 kg qualify as LMVs. The Centre accepted this judgment, amending rules accordingly. On July 18 last year, a Constitution bench began hearing 76 petitions on related legal issues, with the lead petition filed by Bajaj Allianz General Insurance Co. Ltd.