Lok Sabha passed the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill, 2014

The Lok Sabha on 18 December 2014 passed the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill, 2014 to legalize e-rickshaws by bringing them under the ambit of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.

The Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill, 2014 was introduced in Lok Sabha on 15 December 2014. The Bill seeks to amend the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.

Provisions of the Bill
• Under the Act, a motor vehicle or vehicle is defined as any mechanically propelled vehicle adapted for use upon the roads.  
• The bill does not include (i) a vehicle running upon fixed rails or (ii) a vehicle of a special type adapted for use only in a factory or in any other enclosed premises or (iii) a vehicle having less than four wheels fitted with engine capacity of not exceeding 25 cc.
• The Bill brings e-carts and e-rickshaws under the ambit of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.  E-carts and e-rickshaws are defined as special purpose battery powered vehicles, having three wheels, and with power up to 4000 watts.  
• Under the Act, a person shall be granted a learner's licence to drive public service vehicles, goods carriages, educational institution buses or private service vehicles, only if he has held a driving licence to drive a light motor vehicle for at least one year.  
• The Bill states that the conditions for issuing of driver licences for e-cart or e-rickshaw shall be prescribed.
• The Bill also provides for the central government to make Rules on the specifications for e-carts and e-rickshaws and the manner and conditions for issuing driving licenses.