(1) Each State Government shall maintain a register to be known as the State Register of Motor Vehicles, in such form as may be prescribed by the Central Government, in respect of the motor vehicles in that state, containing the following particulars:
- (a) registration numbers;
- (b) years of manufacture;
- (c) classes and types;
- (d) names and addresses of registered owners; and
- (e) such other particulars as may be prescribed by the Central Government.
(2) Each State Government shall provide a printed copy of the State Register of Motor Vehicles to the Central Government, if so desired, and shall inform the Central Government without delay of all additions to and amendments in such register made from time to time.
(3) The State Register of Motor Vehicles shall be maintained in such manner as may be prescribed by the State Government.
Simplified Explanation
Section 63 requires each State Government to maintain a comprehensive register of all the motor vehicles that have been registered within that state. This register serves as an official record of the vehicles, their owners, and other relevant details, which helps in ensuring proper vehicle management, enforcement of regulations, and facilitating inter-state coordination.
Key Points
- State Registers of Motor Vehicles:
- Each state must maintain a State Register of Motor Vehicles, which includes detailed records of every motor vehicle registered in that state.
- The register must be kept up to date and include all relevant information about the vehicles, such as:
- Registration number.
- Owner’s name and address.
- Vehicle make and model.
- Engine number and chassis number.
- Details of insurance.
- Any relevant information regarding transfers of ownership, re-registration, or legal status (e.g., if the vehicle is stolen).
- Purpose of the Register:
- The State Register of Motor Vehicles serves several important purposes:
- Regulation and enforcement: It helps authorities track vehicles and their owners, ensuring that all vehicles comply with safety, registration, and tax requirements.
- Inter-state coordination: The register is useful for sharing information between states, especially in cases where vehicles move between states or are involved in legal matters.
- Transparency and accountability: It ensures that there is a clear record of ownership and vehicle details, which is crucial in cases of traffic violations, accidents, or legal disputes.
- The State Register of Motor Vehicles serves several important purposes:
- Format and Maintenance:
- The Central Government prescribes the format in which the State Register must be maintained, ensuring uniformity across all states. This helps in easy data sharing and consistency in how vehicle details are recorded.
- The state authorities are responsible for ensuring that the register is regularly updated, reflecting any changes such as vehicle transfers, re-registrations, or de-registrations.
- Data Sharing with Central Register:
- The information from the State Registers is also shared with the Central Register of Motor Vehicles, which is maintained at the national level. This allows for a comprehensive national database of vehicles, enabling better coordination and tracking across state borders.
- The sharing of data helps prevent illegal activities, such as vehicles being registered in multiple states without proper clearance or the transfer of stolen vehicles.
- Access to Information:
- The State Register is accessible to law enforcement and transport authorities for the purposes of enforcement, taxation, and regulation. In certain cases, vehicle owners or the general public may also request specific information from the register, particularly in cases of accidents or disputes.
- Penalties for Non-Compliance:
- If a state fails to maintain its register or does not update it as required, it can lead to administrative penalties or difficulties in enforcing traffic laws, collecting taxes, or managing vehicle-related disputes.
Example Scenario
In Karnataka, the State Transport Authority (STA) is responsible for maintaining the State Register of Motor Vehicles. When a person registers their car in Bangalore, all the details of the car, such as the registration number, engine number, and the owner’s details, are entered into the State Register. If the vehicle is sold to someone in Mysore, the transfer of ownership is recorded in the same register to reflect the new owner’s information. If this vehicle is later involved in an inter-state accident in Tamil Nadu, the details can be accessed by Tamil Nadu authorities via the national Central Register to track the vehicle’s registration and owner details.
Importance
This section is essential for maintaining accurate vehicle records at the state level. It ensures that vehicle details are consistently updated, preventing fraudulent transfers, helping track down stolen vehicles, and making it easier for authorities to enforce traffic laws and manage vehicle taxes. It also facilitates smoother inter-state communication and enforcement by integrating the state registers with the national database.
Conclusion
Section 63 of the Motor Vehicles Act ensures that each state maintains a State Register of Motor Vehicles, which records all the necessary details of registered vehicles. This helps with regulation, enforcement, and coordination between states and the central government, ensuring that vehicle-related data is managed efficiently and transparently.
