Motor Vehicles Act: Section 210 – Courts to send intimation about conviction

Every Court by which any person holding a driving licence is convicted of an offence under this Act or of an offence in the commission of which a motor vehicle was used shall send intimation to—

(a) the licensing authority which issued the driving licence, and

(b) the licensing authority by whom the licence was last renewed,

and every such intimation shall state the name and address of the holder of the licence, the licence number, the date of issue and renewal of the same, the nature of the offence, the punishment awarded for the same, and such other particulars as may be prescribed.

Simplified Explanation

Section 210 of the Motor Vehicles Act mandates that courts send intimation regarding the conviction of individuals for motor vehicle offences to the relevant authorities. This section ensures that the authorities responsible for maintaining motor vehicle records, such as the licensing and registration authorities, are kept informed of any convictions related to traffic violations. It helps in updating records, enforcing penalties, and ensuring compliance with road safety regulations.

Overview of Section 210

This section focuses on:

1. Requiring courts to inform relevant authorities about convictions related to motor vehicle offences.
2. Ensuring that proper records of convictions are maintained to facilitate further legal or administrative action, such as license suspension or disqualification.

Key Elements of Section 210

1. Intimation of Conviction:
   • When an individual is convicted of a motor vehicle offence, the court that handles the case is required to send a report or intimation of the conviction to the licensing authority or any other relevant authority.
   • This process ensures that the appropriate government agencies are aware of the conviction and can take any necessary follow-up actions, such as updating records or enforcing penalties like suspension or cancellation of a driving license.
2. Communication to Licensing Authorities:
   • The intimation is typically sent to the Regional Transport Office (RTO) or another appropriate licensing authority that manages driving records. These authorities maintain a record of traffic violations and use the information to monitor driver behavior and enforce any required penalties.
   • This ensures that any conviction for offences like driving under the influence, reckless driving, or repeated traffic violations is reflected in the driver’s record.
3. Importance of Keeping Records Updated:
   • By sending this intimation, the court ensures that the offender’s driving history is accurately recorded, and if necessary, actions such as license suspension, disqualification, or imposition of further penalties can be enforced.
   • This helps in maintaining a comprehensive record of a driver’s violations, which can be referred to in case of repeat offences or other legal matters.
4. Enhancing Road Safety:
   • This section plays a crucial role in promoting road safety by ensuring that individuals with a history of serious traffic violations are properly monitored and that their driving privileges are suspended or revoked when necessary.
   • Courts ensuring that the relevant authorities are notified of convictions helps maintain accountability and prevents unsafe drivers from continuing to pose a risk on the roads.
5. Administrative Action Based on Conviction:
   • Once the intimation is received, licensing authorities can take administrative action based on the nature and severity of the offence. This could include:
     • Suspension or cancellation of the offender’s driving license.
     • Updating records to reflect penalty points or previous convictions, which may affect the driver’s eligibility for license renewal.
     • Other regulatory actions as required under the Motor Vehicles Act.

Practical Implications

• Accurate Tracking of Offenders: Section 210 ensures that motor vehicle offence convictions are properly recorded in government databases, allowing for accurate tracking of offenders and their driving history. This is crucial in dealing with repeat offenders and ensuring that those convicted of serious offences are not allowed to continue driving without consequences.
• Streamlined Administrative Processes: By requiring courts to send conviction reports to the licensing authority, this section helps streamline administrative processes related to driver penalties, license suspensions, and other follow-up actions. It ensures that legal and administrative procedures are in sync.
• Enforcement of Penalties: The notification of convictions ensures that the relevant authorities can take appropriate penal actions against the convicted individual, including imposing fines, suspending licenses, or enforcing additional legal restrictions.
• Promoting Road Safety: Ensuring that authorities are notified of serious traffic violations promotes road safety by making sure that convicted individuals are held accountable and do not continue to drive without facing the legal consequences of their actions.

Conclusion

Section 210 of the Motor Vehicles Act requires that courts send intimation of convictions for traffic offences to the relevant authorities, such as the licensing authority. This ensures that motor vehicle records are updated with the details of the conviction, allowing authorities to take appropriate administrative action, such as suspending or cancelling driving licenses. By maintaining an accurate record of traffic violations, this section promotes accountability, facilitates the enforcement of penalties, and contributes to road safety by ensuring that convicted individuals face the necessary legal consequences for their actions.