Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways addresses road safety, particularly for children, through amendments and provisions within the Motor Vehicles Act of 1988 and the Central Motor Vehicles Rules of 1989. These include stipulations for child restraint systems, safety harnesses, and regulations for school buses. Enforcement of these rules is the responsibility of State/UT Governments.
Key Points / Main Content:
Child Safety Provisions:
* Section 194B of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, addresses penalties for driving with unrestrained children under fourteen years.
* Rule 125B mandates child restraint system installation in M1 category vehicles (excluding transport and special purpose vehicles) manufactured on or after April 1, 2015, as per AIS:072-2009.
* Rule 138(6) requires drivers of M1 category vehicles manufactured on or after October 1, 2014, to ensure children up to 12 years use appropriate child restraint systems (effective April 1, 2016).
* G.S.R. 126(E), dated February 15, 2022, mandates safety harnesses for children below four years and compliant crash helmets for child pillion passengers aged between nine months and four years.
School Bus Regulations:
* G.S.R. 589(E), dated September 16, 2005, specifies school bus standards per Automotive Industry Standard AIS-063 (applicable to buses with a capacity of 13+ passengers excluding the driver).
* AIS-063 includes specifications for bus color, insignia, emergency exits, seat design, seating capacity, and stopping signals.
* G.S.R. 337(E), dated April 28, 2023, mandates fire protection systems in school bus occupant compartments (effective October 1, 2023).
* G.S.R. 290(E), dated April 15, 2015, sets a speed limit of 60 km/h for all school buses.
* Rule 62 of the Central Motor Vehicle Rules, 1989, governs fitness tests for school buses.
Impact Analysis:
State/UT Governments:
* Impact: Responsible for enforcing the child safety and school bus provisions.
* Action Required: Implement and oversee the regulations related to child restraints, school bus standards, and speed limits.
Vehicle Manufacturers:
* Impact: Must adhere to the standards for installing child restraint systems in M1 category vehicles.
* Action Required: Ensure compliance with AIS:072-2009 standards for child restraint systems in applicable vehicles manufactured after specified dates.
Vehicle Owners/Drivers (M1 Category):
* Impact: Required to ensure children are appropriately restrained while driving.
* Action Required: Install and utilize appropriate child restraint systems for children up to 12 years old in vehicles manufactured after October 1, 2014.
School Bus Operators:
* Impact: Must comply with construction and safety standards for school buses.
* Action Required: Ensure buses meet AIS-063 specifications, have fire protection systems, adhere to speed limits, and pass regular fitness tests.
Parents/Guardians:
* Impact: Responsible for ensuring their children's safety while traveling in vehicles.
* Action Required: Use appropriate child restraint systems or safety harnesses for children, as mandated by the regulations.
Key Entities Referenced
Motor Vehicles Act: A key piece of legislation related to road transport and vehicle regulations in India, specifically being considered for amendments.
Ministry of Road Transport and Highways: The Indian government ministry responsible for the development and regulation of road transport and highways.
Shri Nitin Jairam Gadkari: The Minister of Road Transport and Highways in India.
Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989: A set of rules enacted in 1989 that supplements the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, providing detailed regulations and standards for motor vehicles in India.
Section 194B: A specific section within the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 that addresses punishment related to child safety in motor vehicles.
AIS:0722009: Automotive Industry Standard related to child restraint system.
G.S.R. 126E: A government notification dated 15th February, 2022, mandating the use of safety harness for children below four years.
Automotive Industry Standard AIS063: An automotive industry standard that prescribes specifications for school buses.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3178
ANSWERED ON 7th AUGUST 2025
Amendment in Motor Vehicle Act
3178. Shri Ujjwal Raman Singh:
Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार् ग मत्रं ी
be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government is planning to introduce major
amendments to the Motor Vehicles Act keeping in view the safety
of common citizens, especially children and if so, the details
thereof;
(b) whether the proposed amendment includes provisions for
double fine and cancellation of licence if a driver violates traffic
rules while travelling with children and if so, the details thereof;
and
(c) whether the above-mentioned rules would be applicable not
only to private vehicles but also to vehicles operated or hired by
schools and if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
(SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)
(a) to (c) The Government accords high priority to road safety,
including the safety of children. The Motor Vehicles Act, 1988,
contains provisions relating to child safety. Section 194B
provides for punishment in cases where a motor vehicle isdriven with a child under the age of fourteen years who is not
secured by a safety belt or a child restraint system.
Further, the Central Motor Vehicles Rules (CMVR), 1989,
contain the following provisions:
As per Rule 125(8), motor vehicles of category Ml
(excluding transport and special purpose vehicles),
manufactured on or after 1st April, 2015, must have
provision for installing a child restraint system as specified
in AIS:072-2009.
As per Rule 138(6), from 1st April, 2016, drivers of Ml
category vehicles (manufactured on or after 1st October,
2014) are required to ensure that children up to 12 years
are seated in an appropriate child restraint system.
The Government vide G.S.R. 126(E) dated 15th February,
2022 mandated the use of Safety harness for children
below four years and crash helmet which fits his head or
bicycle helmet complying with standards till such time that
the specifications are prescribed by the BIS for the child
pillion passenger aged between nine months and four
years.
The Government has prescribed uniform provisions for
school buses with respect to its construction in Central
Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989 which are as under:
(i) G.S.R. 589(E) dated 16-09-2005 prescribes
specifications for school buses as per Automotive
Industry Standard (AIS-063).
AIS-063 is applicable for all school buses with a seating
capacity of 13 passengers and above excluding driver.
The provisions in the standard are over and above the
requirements laid for buses in "AIS-052 Code of Practice
for Bus Body Design and Approval.
AIS-063 also specifies requirements such as uniform
colour of school buses, insignia design and location,
emergency exits, seat design and layout, seating
capacity, stopping signal, etc.(ii) G.S.R. 337(E) dated 28-04-2023 notified fire
protection systems in occupant compartment in school
buses which was implemented with effect from 1st
October 2023.
(iii) G.S.R. 290(E), dated 15-04-2015 prescribes a speed
limit of 60 km/h for all school buses.
(iv) Fitness test of school buses are carried out as per
Rule 62 of Central Motor Vehicle Rules, 1989.
The enforcement of these provisions falls within the purview
of the respective State/UT Governments.
*****