**Executive Summary**
This document addresses the implementation of speed management guidelines in India, as per a question raised in Lok Sabha on February 5th, 2026. It outlines existing regulations and penalties for speeding under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. The document references S.O. 1522 dated 06.04.2018 and clarifies the government's position on speed limits and penalties.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Implementation of Speed Management Guidelines:**
* The Government has published and fixed maximum speeds for various classes of motor vehicles.
* These speed limits are determined based on road characteristics, built-up areas, road design, and road usage.
* Reference is made to S.O. 1522 dated 06.04.2018, under Section 112 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.
* **Maximum Speed Limits:**
* Provides a table outlining maximum speed limits in kilometers per hour for various classes of vehicles on different types of roads in India, including:
* Motor Expressway with Access Control
* 4 lane and above divided carriageway
* Road within Municipal Limits
* Other Roads
* The table includes speed limits for Motor vehicles used for carriage of passengers (M1, M2 and M3 category Vehicles), Motor vehicles used for carriage of goods (All N category Vehicles), Motor Cycles, Quadricycle, and Three wheeled-vehicles.
* **State Government Authority:**
* Under Section 112(2) of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, State Governments can restrict vehicle speeds in the interest of public safety, convenience, or due to road conditions.
* They can fix maximum or minimum speed limits by notification in the Official Gazette and by erecting appropriate traffic signs.
* **Penalties for Speeding:**
* Section 183 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, prescribes penalties for contravening speed limits.
* For light motor vehicles, the fine shall not be less than one thousand rupees and may extend to two thousand rupees.
* "Light motor vehicle” means a transport vehicle or omnibus the gross vehicle weight of either of which or a motor car or tractor or road-roller the unladen weight of any of which, does not exceed 7500 kilograms.
* **Design Speed and Traffic Calming Measures:**
* Design speed is used for the design of road intersection geometry.
* Speed limit is a reduction in operating speed compared to design speed to address safety concerns.
* Speed limits are enforced through signs and physical measures (traffic calming).
* The Indian Road Congress (IRC) has published guidelines for traffic calming measures.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholders: Vehicle Drivers/Owners**
**Impact:** Affected by maximum speed limits on different roads.
**Action Required:** Must adhere to specified speed limits to avoid penalties.
**Stakeholders: State Governments/Local Authorities**
**Impact:** Have the authority to restrict vehicle speeds further based on local conditions.
**Action Required:** Implement speed restrictions through notifications and signage as needed.
**Stakeholders: Law Enforcement**
**Impact:** Responsible for enforcing speed limits and issuing penalties.
**Action Required:** Monitor and enforce speed limits, and penalize offenders as per the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Road Transport and Highways: Primary government body responsible for road transport and highways.
Motor Vehicles Act, 1988: Indian legislation governing motor vehicles, including sections related to speed limits and penalties.
Section 183 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988: Specific section of the Motor Vehicles Act related to penalties for speeding.
Section 112 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988: Specific section of the Motor Vehicles Act related to speed limits.
Implementation of Speed Management Guidelines: The subject of the government's response to the parliamentary question.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. - 1089
ANSWERED ON 05th FEBRUARY, 2026
IMPLEMENTATION OF SPEED MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES
1089. DR. MOHAMMAD JAWED:
Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री
be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has taken steps to introduce and
implement scientific speed management guidelines across the
country, with speed limits determined based on road characteristics,
built-up areas, road design and road usage;
(b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
(c) whether it is a fact that under Section 183 of the Motor Vehicles
Act, 1988, there are no penalties for speeding by two-wheelers,
whereas such penalties existed earlier; and
(d) if so, the relevant provisions under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988
that enable penalisation for speeding by two-wheelers?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
(SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)
(a) and (b) Government in Ministry of Road Transport and Highways
has published and fixed the maximum speed in respect of the class ofmotor vehicles, vide S.O. 1522 dated 06.04.2018 as per legal mandate
under Section 112 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, as specified in the
table below:
Maximum speed per hour in kilometres on roads in India
S. Class of Motor Expressway 4 lane and above Road Other
No. Vehicles with Access divided within Roads
Control carriageway Municipal
(roads with Limits
Median
strips/Dividers)
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6)
1. Motor vehicles 120 100 70 70
used for carriage
of passengers
comprising not
more than eight
seats in addition
to the driver’s
seat (M1 category
vehicles)
2. Motor vehicles 100 90 60 60
used for carriage
of passengers
comprising nine
or more seats in
addition to the
driver’s seat (M2
and M3 category
Vehicles)3. Motor vehicles 80 80 60 60
used for carriage
of goods (All N
category
Vehicles)
4. Motor Cycles 80* 80 60 60
5. Quadricycle - 60 50 50
6. Three wheeled - 50 50 50
vehicles
*If permitted to ply on Expressway.
However, under Section 112(2) of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, the
State Government or any authority authorised in this behalf by the
State Government may, if satisfied that it is necessary to restrict the
speed of motor vehicles in the interest of public safety or convenience
or because of the nature of any road or bridge, by notification in the
Official Gazette, and by causing appropriate traffic signs to be placed
or erected under Section 116 at suitable places, fix such maximum
speed limits or minimum speed limits as it thinks fit for motor vehicles
or any specified class or description of motor vehicles or for motor
vehicles to which a trailer is attached, either generally or in a
particular area or on a particular road or roads.
Design speed is used for design of geometrics of road intersection
layout and various other road elements. Further, design speed is
governed by the terrain classification through which a section of road
passes. Speed limit is basically reduction in operating speed
compared to design speed to address safety concerns of a particular
location. Speed limit is enforced though speed limit signs, which are
mandatory in nature and physical measures in road environment
introduced to reduce speed, which are generally called traffic calming
measures. Indian Road Congress (IRC) has published guidelines for
traffic calming measures.(c) & (d) As per section 183 of Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, Whoever,
drives or causes any person who is employed by him or subjects
someone under his control to drive a motor vehicle in contravention of
the speed limits referred to in section 112 shall be punishable in the
prescribed manner. Sub section (1) of Section 183 provides that where
such motor vehicle is a light motor vehicle fine shall not be less than
one thousand rupees but may extend to two thousand rupees.
As per the sub section (21) of Section 2 of Motor Vehicles Act,
1988, “light motor vehicle” means a transport vehicle or omnibus the
gross vehicle weight of either of which or a motor car or tractor or
road-roller the unladen weight of any of which, does not exceed 7500
kilograms.
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