The Supreme Court has firmly upheld its earlier decision allowing holders of Light Motor Vehicle (LMV) licenses to operate light transport vehicles weighing under 7,500 kilograms. In its ruling, the Court rejected concerns that this would lead to an increase in road accidents, citing the absence of empirical data to support such claims.
A five-judge bench led by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, alongside Justices Hrishikesh Roy, PS Narasimha, Pankaj Mithal, and Manoj Misra, was hearing a challenge to its 2017 ruling in the case of Mukund Dewangan. This challenge, raised by some parties, argued that permitting LMV license holders to drive light transport vehicles would result in more accidents. However, the Court observed that no substantial data had been provided to demonstrate a clear link between the two.
Justice Roy, writing for the bench, emphasized that road safety is a critical concern, but decisions must be based on verified information rather than assumptions. He pointed out that the causes of road accidents are multifaceted, including reckless driving, speeding, poor infrastructure, and distracted driving—issues not directly tied to the type of driving license a person holds.
The Court also noted that safe driving requires not just technical vehicle control but a comprehensive understanding of road conditions, traffic laws, and the ability to handle various challenges such as turns, gradients, and external distractions. These driving competencies are essential regardless of whether a vehicle is categorized as a transport or non-transport vehicle.
In conclusion, the Court ruled that if the vehicle’s gross weight is under 7,500 kg, a person holding an LMV license is sufficiently qualified to drive a transport vehicle. The absence of empirical evidence linking LMV drivers to higher accident rates was a key factor in the Court’s decision, solidifying the earlier ruling.
