Motor Vehicles Act Section 59 — Power to fix the age limit of motor vehicle
CHAPTER IV REGISTRATION OF MOTOR VEHICLES
Civil
Summary
Sub-section (1) allows the Central Government to set a maximum lifespan for motor vehicles, counted from the date they were manufactured. Once a vehicle reaches that age, it will no longer be considered to meet the requirements of this Act and its rules. The government can set different age limits for different classes or types of vehicles.
The proviso to sub-section (1) clarifies that the Central Government has the power to specify different age limits for different categories or types of motor vehicles.
Sub-section (2) gives the Central Government the power to exempt certain classes or types of motor vehicles from the age limit set under sub-section (1). This exemption can be granted for specific purposes, such as displaying a vehicle at an exhibition, using it for technical research, or taking part in a vintage car rally. The exemption is done through a notification in the Official Gazette, and it can be general or specific, subject to any conditions mentioned in that notification.
Sub-section (3) states that no prescribed authority or authorised testing station can issue a certificate of fitness to a motor vehicle if doing so would go against any notification issued under sub-section (1). This applies even if other provisions of the Act, such as section 56, might suggest otherwise.
Sub-section (4) allows the Central Government to make rules about how motor vehicles and their parts should be recycled once they have exceeded their lifespan. These rules must take into account public safety, convenience, protection of the environment, and the overall objectives of this Act.
Official Text
(1) The Central Government may, having regard to the public safety, convenience and objects of this Act, by notification in the Official Gazette, specify the life of a motor vehicle reckoned from the date of its manufacture, after the expiry of which the motor vehicle shall not be deemed to comply with the requirements of this Act and the rules made thereunder:
Provided that the Central Government may specify different ages for different classes or different types of motor vehicles.
(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), the Central Government may, having regard to the purpose of a motor vehicle, such as, display or use for the purposes of a demonstration in any exhibition, use for the purposes of technical research or taking part in a vintage car rally, by notification in the Official Gazette, exempt, by a general or special order, subject to such conditions as may be specified in such notification, any class or type of motor vehicle from the operation of sub-section (1) for the purpose to be stated in the notification.
(3) Notwithstanding anything contained in section 56, no prescribed authority or authorised testing station shall grant a certificate of fitness to a motor vehicle in contravention of the provisions of any notification issued under sub-section (1). 2[
(4) The Central Government may, having regard to the public safety, convenience, protection of the environment and the objects of this Act, make rules prescribing the manner of recycling of motor vehicles and parts thereof which have exceeded their life.]