The Gazette of Pakistan

PART I

AN ORDINANCE

To provide for safe driving on the national highways

 WHEREAS it is expedient to provide for safe driving on the national highways and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto;

 AND WHEREAS the National Assembly and the Senate stand suspended in pursuance of the Proclamation of Emergency of the fourteenth day of October, 1999, and the Provisional Constitution Order No. 1 of 1999;  

AND WHEREAS the President is satisfied that circumstances exist which render it necessary to take immediate action;

 NOW, THEREFORE, in pursuance of the Proclamation of Emergency of the fourteenth day of October, 1999, and Provisional Constitution Order No. 1 of 1999, as welt as order No.9 of 1999, and in exercise of all powers enabling him in that behalf, the President of the Islamic Republic bf Pakistan is pleased to make and promulgate the following Ordinance:­

CHAPTER 1
PRELIMINARY

1. Short title, extent and commencement.-  

(I) This Ordinance may be called the National Highways Safety Ordinance, 2000.  

(2) It extends to the whole of Pakistan.

(3) it shall come into force at once.

2. Definitions.-  

(1) In this Ordinance, unless there is anything repugnant in the subject or context, -

(i) ”ambulance” means a vehicle designed for the carnage of sick, wounded or invalid persons or animals; 

(ii) ”animal drawn vehicle” means a road vehicle designed and constructed primarily for carrying persons or goods and is propelled solely by one or more domestic animals; 

(iii) ”axle weight” means in relation to an axle of a motor vehicle the total weight transmitted by the several wheels attached to the axle to the surface whereon the vehicle rests; 

(iv) "bicycle” means any road vehicle having at least two wheels propelled solely by muscular energy of the person on that vehicle; 

(v) "board” means the Medical Board constituted under sub-section (3) of section 4; 

(vi) "carriage-way” means the part of the road normally used by vehicular traffic;  

(vii) ”certificate of registration” means the certificate issued by a competent authority to the effect that a motor vehicle has been registered in accordance with law for the time being in force;

(viii) "contract carriage" means a road vehicle which carries a passenger or passengers for hire or reward under a contract expressed or implied for the use of the vehicle as a whole at or for a fixed or agreed rate or sum and from one point to another without stopping to pick up or set down along the line of route passengers not included in the contract and includes a motor cab notwithstanding that the passenger may pay separate fares:;

(ix) "cycle track" means the portion of road partitioned by curbings, guardrails and other similar structures or road marking set aside for bicycle passenger;

(x) ”delivery vehicle” means any goods vehicle the registered laden weight of which does not exceed twenty-five thousand kilograms;

(xi) ”driver” means any person who drives a motor vehicle or an animal drawn vehicle on a national highway;

(xii) "fares” means the amount prescribed or agreed for a journey by a stage carriage and includes sums payable for a season ticket or in respect of the hire of’ a contract carriage;

(xiii) ”footpath” means the portion of a road partitioned by curbings, guardrails and other similar structures or road markings intended for pedestrian passage;

(xiv) ”good” include livestock and anything (other than equipment ordinarily used with the vehicle) carried by a vehicle except living persons but does not include luggage or personal effects carried in a road or in a trailer attached to a vehicle or the personal luggage of passengers traveling in the vehicle;

(xv) ”goods vehicles” means any motor vehicle constructed or adapted for use for the carriage of’ goods, or any motor vehicle including any animal drawn vehicle not so constructed or adapted when used for the carriage of goods, solely or in addition to passengers;

(xvi) ”Govcrnmeni” means the Federal Government;

(xvii) ”gross vehicle weight” means load of all axles of a goods vehicle transmitted by several wheels attached to all axles to the surface whereon the wheels rest;

(xviii) ”heavy transport vehicle” means a transport vehicle, the registered axle weight of which exceeds five thousand kilograms, or the registered laden weight of which exceeds six thousand five hundred kilograms;

(xix) ”intersection” means any level crossroads, junction or fork including the open areas formed by such crossroads, ,junctions or forks;

(xx) ”invalid carriage” means a motor vehicle the unladen weight of which does not exceed one thousand kilograms specially designed and constructed and not merely adapted, for the use of a person suffering from some physical defect or disability and used solely by or for such a person;

(xxi) ”laden weight” means the actual weight of the vehicle as loaded with the crew and passengers and the load carried on it;

(xxii) "lane" means any one of the longitudinal strips into which the carriage-way is divisible whether or not defined longitudinal road markings, which is wide enough for one moving line of motor vehicles other than motor cycles;

(xxiii) ”IeveI crossing” means any level intersection between a road and railway;

(xxiv) "licence” means the document issued by a competent authority authorizing the person specified therein to drive a motor vehicle of any specified class or description or any animal drawn vehicle;

(xxv) "licensing authority” means an authority empowered to grant licences, under this Ordinance;

(xxvi) "light transport vehicle” means any public service vehicle other than a motor cab, or any goods vehicle other than a heavy transport vehicle or a delivery van;

(xxvii) ”locomotive” means a motor vehicle which is itself not constructed to carry any load (other than equipment used for the purpose of propulsion), the unladen weight of which exceeds seven thousand kilograms but does not include a road roller;

(xviii) ”moped” means any two-wheeled or three-wheeled vehicle which is fitted with an internal combustion engine having a cylinder capacity not exceeding filly cubic centimeters and maximum design speed not exceeding fifty kilometers per hour;

(xxix) ”motor cab” means any motor vehicle constructed, adapted or used to carry not more than four passengers excluding the driver, used for hire or reward, but does not include a motor cycle, an invalid persons carriage or a moped;

(xxx) ”motor car” means any motor vehicle constructed, adapted or used to carry not more than six  passengers excluding driver not used for hire or reward. but does not include motor cycle, invalid persons’ carriage or a moped;

(xxxi) "motor cycle” means any two wheeled vehicle, with or without a side car, which is equipped with a propelling engine but does not include a moped;

(xxxi) "motor rickshaw” means any motor vehicle with three wheels, constructed, adapted or used to carry not more than four persons including the driver, the unladen weight of which does not exceed eight hundred fifty kilograms;

(xxxiii) ”motor vehicle” means any mechanically propelled vehicle which is normally used for carrying persons or goods by road or for drawing, on the road, vehicles used for the carriage of persons or goods;

(xxxiv) ”motorway” means a road especially designed and built for motor vehicles which does not serve the properties bordering on it except at special points and has separate carriageways for the two directions of the traffic and does not cross at level with any road, railway, tramway, cycle track or footpath;

(xxxv) ”nationai highway” means a national highway as defined in the National Highway Authority Act, 1991 (XI 1991); and includes a road declared to be a national highway under the said Act;

(xxxvi) "overtaking” course means a manoeuvre when a vehicle passes the side of another vehicle by changing its course and then proceeding to the front of the said vehicle;

(xxxvii) “owner” means the person in whose name the road vehicle is registered and includes,

         (a) a transferee of the vehicle from such persons;  

(b) in relation to a road vehicle which is the subject of a hire purchase agreement, the person in possession of the vehicle under that agreement;

(c) where the person in whose name the road vehicle is registered or the person in possession the road vehicle under a hire purchase agreement is:-

(i)  a minor, the guardian of such a minor;

(ii)  a company registered under the Companies Ordinance, 1984 (XLVII of 1984), the directors of such company;

(iii) a society registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860 (XXI of 1860), under any law relating to co-operative societies, the principal officer of such society by whatever designation known;

(iv) a firm, all the partners of such firm, and

(v) any other association of persons, all the members of such association:

Provided that where such company, firm, society or other association of persons
has given notice to the registering authority that it has nominated a director, partner,
office-bean member or officer, as the case may be, of the company, firm, society or association to be the person nominated shall alone be deemed to be the owner for the purposes of this Ordinance;

(xviii) ”parking” means that a vehicle is stationary for any reason other than the need to avoid interference with another road user or collision with an obstruction or to comply with trail regulations, and if the period during which the vehicle is stationary is not limited to the time required to pick up or set down persons or goods;

(xxxix) ”passenger" means every person including any employee of the owner or permit-holder travelling in the motor vehicle;

(xI) ”pedestrians crossing” means that portion of a road marked by road signs or road markings and set aside for pedestrians to use for crossing the road;

(xli) ”patrol post" means a police post on a national highway having jurisdiction within the area specified by the Government;

(xlii) ”permit” means the document issued by the Provincial Transport Authority, or a Regional Transport Authority, authorizing the use of a transport vehicle as a contract carriage or stage carriage, or authorizing the owner as a private carrier to use such vehicle;

(xliii) ”police officer” mean a police officer in uniform;

(xliv) ”prescribed” means prescribed by rules made under this Ordinance;

(xlv) ”private carrier” means an owner of a transport vehicle other than a public carrier who uses that vehicle solely for the carriage of goods which are his property or the carriage of which is necessary for the purposes of his business not being a business of providing a transport; 

(xlvi) ”pub!ic carrier” means an owner of a transport vehicle who transports or undertakes to transport goods, to any public place whether for hire or reward and includes any person, body, association or company engaged in the business of carrying goods of persons associated with that person, body, association or company for the purposes of having their goods transported;

(xlvii) ”public service vehicle” means any road vehicle used or adapted to be used for the carriage of passengers for hire or reward and includes a motor cab or contract carriage;

(xlviii) ”registered laden weight” means in respect of any vehicle the total weight certified and registered by the registering authority as permissible for that vehicle;

(xlix) ”registering authority” means any authority empowered to register road vehicles under this Ordinance;

(l) ”road" means any portion of the strip designed or ordinarily used by vehicular traffic inclusive of shoulders;

(li) ”road marking” means a marking which points out restrictions with reference to traffic on a road and the lines of tacks, points and stones drawn on the surface of a road;

(lii) ”road sign” means a sign board which points out a regulation or direction concerning the traffic on a road;

(liii) "road vehicle” means any motor vehicle designed and constructed for operating on road including animal drawn vehicle and bicycle;

(liv) ”Schedule” means a Schedule to this Ordinance;

(lv) ”shoulder” means that long and narrow portion of ground separate from the vehicular road, at the edge of a road or a roadside where no side-walk is established or set aside as passage for pedestrians or reserved for stoppage of motor vehicles;

(lvi) ”signal" means a device which is operated by electric power and gives indications for traffic control by appropriate lights;

(lvii) ”single axle weight” means load of an axle of a goods vehicle transmitted by several wheels attached to that axle to the surface whereon the wheels rest;

(lviii) ”stage carrier” means a road vehicle carrying or adapted to carry more than six persons excluding the driver which carries passengers for hire or reward at separate fares paid or for individual passengers either for the whole journey or for stages of the journey;

(lix) ”tandem axle weight” means load of a twin-axle (two axles centre-to-centre spaced between forty to forty-eight inches) of a goods vehicle transmited by the several wheels attached to that twin­axle assembly to the surface whereon the wheels rest;  

(lx) "tractor" means motor vehicle which is not itself constructed to carry any load other than equipment used for the purpose of propulsion the unladen weight of which does not exceed seven thousand kilograms but does not include a road-roller;  

(lxi) ”tratllc signs” includes all signals, sign posts or other devices for the information, guidance or direction of drivers of road vehicles;  

(lxii) ”trailer” means any vehicle other than a side-car and intended to be drawn by a goods vehicle for the carriage of’ goods;  

(lxiii) ”transport vehicle” means a public service vehicle, a goods vehicle, a locomotive or a tractor other than a tractor with or without trailer used solely for agricultural purposes; 

(lxiv) ”tridem axle weight” means the load of a tri-axle (three axles, the outer two axles centre-to-centre spaced between eighty to ninety-six inches) of a goods vehicle transmitted by the several wheels attached to tri-axle assembly to the surface whereon the wheels rest;  

(lxv) ‘tyre pressure" means inflation pressure of tyres of goods vehicles; 

(lxvi) "unladen weight” means the weight of a vehicle or trailer, including all equipment ordinarily used within the vehicle or trailer when working, but excluding the weight of the driver or attendant; and where alternative parts or bodies are used, the unladen weight of the vehicle means the weight of the vehicle with the heaviest such alternative part or body;  

(lxvii) ”weigh station" means stations incorporating static and weigh-in-motion (WIM) devices installed to measure and enforce legal load limits; and  

(lxviii) ”weight” means the total weight transmitted for the time being by the wheels of a vehicle to the surface on which the vehicle rests.  

(2) The words and expressions used, but not defined in this Ordinance, shall have the meanings respectively assigned to them in the Provincial Motor Vehicles Ordinance, 1965 (W.P.Ord. XIX of 1965).  

CHAPTER II 
LICENSING  

3. Prohibition on driving without licence:- No person shall drive a road vehicle or animal drawn vehicle on a national highway unless he holds and carries on his person a valid diving licence issued to drive the particular class and type of vehicle.

4. Age limit connection with driving of road vehicle:- (I) No person shall drive on a national highway-  

(a)     a motor cycle or a motor car, otherwise than as a paid employee unless he has attained the age of eighteen years;  

(b)     a transport vehicle, a public service vehicle, a motor car or an animal drawn vehicle as a paid employee unless he has attained the age of twenty-one years, and  

(c)     a transport vehicle above the age of’ sixty years.  

(2) No fresh licence for a transport vehicle shall be issued unless the licence bears an effective endorsement by the licencing authority that the person holding such a licence has furnished a certificate in form "B" signed by the Chairman of the Medical Board as specified in the First Schedule.

(3) The Government man constitute Medical Boards as specified in the Second Schedule which shall meet periodically on a predesignated time and day and place to test and certify persons as required under the Ordinance.

5. Owners of road vehicles not to permit any person to drive in contravention of section 3 or section 4:- No owner or person incharge of a road vehicle shall cause or permit nay person, who does not satisfy the provision of section 3 or section 4, to drive any vehicle.

6. Grant Licence:- 

(1) Any person who is not disqualified under section 4 for driving a road vehicle, and who is not for the time being disqualified for holding or obtaining a licence, may apply to the prescribed licencing authority for the issue of a licence.

(2) Every application under sub-section (1) shall be in Form "A" as set forth in the First Schedule and shall be signed by, or bear the thumb impression of the applicant in two places, and contain the information specified therein.

(3) Where the application is for a licence to drive a transport vehicle, or where in any other case the licencing authority for reasons to be stated in writing so requires, the application shall be accompanied by a medical certificate in Form "B" signed by the Chairman of the Medical Board as laid down in the First Schedule.

(4) Every application for a licence to drive a motor vehicle or an animal drawn vehicle shall be accompanied by three copies of recent passport size photograph of the applicant.

(5) If from the application, or from the medical certificate referred to in sub-section (3), it appears that the applicant is suffering from any disease or disability which is likely to be a source of danger to the public or to the passengers the licencing authority shall refuse to issue the licence, provided that the applicant may, except where he is suffering from a disease or disability specified in the Third Schedule, request to be subjected to a test of his fitness or ability to drive a motor vehicle of a particular construction or design, and if he passes such a test to the satisfaction of the licencing authority and is not otherwise disqualified, the licencing authority shall grant him a licence to drive such a vehicle as the authority may specify in the licence.

(6) No licence shall be issued to any applicant unless he passes to the satisfaction of the licencing authority the tests of competence specified in the Fourth Schedule and possesses a personal copy of the most recent version of the Highway and Motorway Code.

(7) The test of competence of driving skills shall be carried out in a vehicle of the class to which the application refers and for the purposes of part-V of the Fourth Schedule a person who passes the test in driving:-

(a) a heavy transport vehicle shall be deemed to have also passed the test in driving any motor vehicle other than a motorcycle or an earthmoving or construction machinery, and 

(b)     a light transport vehicle shall be deemed also to have passed the test in driving a motor car, a motor cab and a delivery van.  

(8) No licence shall be issued to any applicant to drive a heavy transport vehicle unless he has held for a period of not less than three years, immediately preceding the making of the application, an effective licence to drive a road vehicle other than a motorcycle, an invalid person's carriage or a road roller.

(9)  When application has been duly made to the prescribed licensing authority and the applicant has satisfied such authority of his knowledge of the signs, rules, physical fitness and of his competence to park and drive the vehicle of the class to which the applicant refers and has paid the prescribed fee, the authority shall grant the applicant a licence unless-

(a) the applicant is disqualified under section 4 for driving a road vehicle or is for the time being disqualified for holding or obtaining a licence,

(b) the licensing authority is satisfied that from the medical test it appears that he is suffering from any disease or disability specified in the Third Schedule or any other disease or disability which is likely to cause the driving by him of a road vehicle to be a source of danger to the public or to the passengers; and (c) an endorsement refused under clause (a) shall be effective for a period of twelve months from the date thereof but the said period may, from time to time, be extended by the licensing authority by a further period of twelve months at any one time by recording reasons in writing.

 7.  Form and contents of licence.-

(1) Every licence to drive a road vehicle shall contain the information required in Form “C” of the First Schedule and shall have affixed thereto one of the photographs along with the signature or thumb impression given on the application for licence.

(2) A licence shall specify whether the holder is entitled to drive as a paid employee and whether he is entitled to drive a public service vehicle and shall further be expressed as entitling the holder to drive a road vehicle of one or more of the following classes, namely:-

           (a)   Motorcycle up to 80 cc
           (b)   Motorcycle more than 80 cc
           (c)   Three wheeler
           (d)   Invalid person’s carriage
           (c)   Motor car/motor cab
           (I)   Light transport vehicle
          (g)   Heavy transport vehicle
           (h)   Road construction machinery
           (1)  Tractor/agricultural machinery
          (j)    A vehicle of a specified description (description to be attached)

8.  Additions to licence.-

(1) Any person holding a licence issued under this Ordinance who is not for the time being disqualified for holding or obtaining a licence may apply in Form “D”, as set forth in the First Schedule, to the licensing authority for the addition of any class of vehicles to the licence specified in sub-section(2) of section 7.

(2) The provisions of section 6 shall apply to an application umder this section as if the application were for the grant of a licence under that section to drive the class of vehicle which the applicant desires to be added to his licence.

(3) No fee, other than a fee for the test of competence to drive, shall be charged for an addition to a licence under this section. 

9.  Extent of validity of licence.-

A licence issued under this Ordinance shall be effective throughout Pakistan.

10. Currency of licences.-

A licence issued under this Ordinance shall be effective initially for one year and for five years thereafter.

11. Renewal of licences.-

(1) The competent authority may, on an application made to it, renew a licence issued under this Ordinance in accordance with the prescribed procedure.

(2) A licence to drive a transport vehicle shall not be renewed so as to be effective for any period after the expiry of five years from the date of the medical certificate furnished by the licence holder under section 4 unless he furnishes a fresh medical certificate in Form “B” as specified in the First Schedule.

(3) An application for the renewal of a licence shall be in Form “E”, as set forth in the First Schedule, and shall contain the declaration required therein provided that if the applicant does not, or is unable to, subscribe to the said declaration, the provision of sub-section (5) of section 6 shall apply.  

(4) The fee payable for the renewal of a licence shall be as prescribed and enhanced fee may be prescribed where the application for renewal is made more than thirty days from the date of expiry of the licence:  

Provided that if the application for renewal is made more than one year after the expiry of the licence, the licensing authority may refuse to renew the licence unless the applicant undergoes, and passes to its satisfaction, the test of competence specified in the Fourth Schedule.  

(5) When the authority renewing the licence is not the authority which issued the licence it shall intimate the fact of renewal to the authority which issued the licence.  

12.  Cancellation of licence on grounds of disease or disability:-

(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in section 10 or section 11 the licensing authority may, at any time, require the holder of a licence - 

(a)       to furnish a fresh medical certificate in Form “B” as set forth in the First Schedule and signed by the Chairman of the Medical Board as specified in the Fourth Schedule if the Iicensing authority has reasonable grounds to believe that the holder of the licence is, due to any disease or disability, unfit to drive a road vehicle; and  

(b)       to undergo driving competence tests as set forth in Parts I to IV of the Fourth Schedule provided he has previously not been subjected to such test under this Ordinance, if lie is not a paid employee and if he is a paid employee, the time elapsed is not less than five years.

(2) If the holder of the licence fails to produce the medical certificate orislunable to pass test, the licensing authority may cancel or refuse to renew, his licence till such time the holder of licence produces the medical certificate, or passes the said test, to the satisfaction of the licensing authority.

(3) When the authority cancelling or refusing to renew the licence is not the authority which issued the licence, it shall intimate the fact of cancellation or refusal to renew the licence to authority which issued the licence.  

13. Order refusing to issue or renew a licence and appeals:-

(1) Where the licence authority refuses to issue or renew a licence or cancels any licence, it shall do so by an order communicated to the applicant or the licence holder, as the case may be, giving reasons in. writing for such refusal or cancellation.

(2) Upon the issue of any such order the person affected, if he is the holder of a licence, shall forthwith surrender his licence to the licensing authority and the licensing authority shall, if no appeal is preferred against its order as provided in sub-section (3), or where any appeal has been preferred and dismissed. invalidate the licence or cause it to be invalidated.

(3) Any person aggrieved by an order referred to in sub-section (l) may, within thirty days of the service on him of the order, prefer an appeal to the prescribed authority whose decision thereon shall be final.

14. Power of licensing authority to disqualify for holding a licence:-

(1) If a licensing authority is satisfied, after giving an opportunity of being heard, that any person - 

(a)  is a habitual drug addict;

(b)  is a habitual criminal;

(c)  is using or has used a motor vehicle in the commission of’ a cognizable offence;

(d)  has by his previous conduct as driver of a road vehicle shown that his driving is likely to be attended with danger to the public; or

(e)  is a habitual drunkard,

It may, for reasons to be recorded in writing, by order disqualify that person for a specified period for holding or obtaining a licence. Upon the issue of any such order the person affected, if he is the holder of a licence, shall forthwith surrender his licence to the licensing authority making the order, if the licence has not already been surrendered, and the licensing authority shall record the order of disqualification on the licence and keep it in safe custody until the disqualification has expired or has been removed.

(2) Any person aggrieved by an order of a licensing authority under this section may, within thirty days of the service on him of the order, prefer appeal to the prescribed authority and such appellate authority shall give notice to the licensing authority and hear either party if so required by that party and make such inquiry into the matter as it thinks fit and an order made by any such appellate authority shall be final.

15. Power of court to order disqualification:-

The court taking cognizance of any offence under this Ordinance may, in addition to imposing any other punishment authorized by law, disqualify the convict from driving any or all classes of road vehicles for such period as it may specify.

16. Effect of disqualification order:-

(1) A person in respect of whom any disqualification order is made under this Ordinance shall be debarred to the extent, and for the period, specified in such order from holding or obtaining a licence and the licence, if any, held by such person on the date of the order shall cease to be effective during such period.

(2)  The operation of a disqualification order made under section 15 shall not be suspended or postponed while an appeal is pending against such order or against the conviction as a result of which such order is made unless the appellate court so directs.

(3) Any person in respect of whom any disqualification order has been made for a period longer than six months, may at any time, after expiry of six months from the date of the order, apply to the court or other authority, by which the order was made, to remove the disqualification and the court or authority, as the case may be, having regard to all the circumstances of the case, remove or vary the order of disqualification:

Provided that, where an application has been made under this section, a second application thereunder shall not be entertained before the expiry of a further period, of three months. 

17.  Power to make rules:-

(1) The Government may, in consultation with National Highways and Pakistan Motorway Police, by notification in the official Gazette, make rules for the purpose of carrying into effect the provisions of this Chapter.

(2) Without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing powers, such rules may provide for all or any of the following matters, namely:-

(a) the appointment, establishment, jurisdiction, control and functions of licensing, renewal and other authorities;

(b) the conduct and hearing of appeals that may be preferred under this Chapter, the fees to be paid in respect of such appeals and the refund of such fees;

(c) the issue of duplicate licence to replace licences lost, destroyed or mutilated, the replacement of photographs which have become obsolete and the issuance of temporary licences to persons receiving instruction in driving and the fees to be charged thereof;

(d) testing of applicants for licences, the fees to be charged thereof and conditions of eligibility including educational qualification;

(e) the practical and physical tests as indicated in the Fourth Schedule.

(f) the exemption of persons or prescribed classes of persons from payment of all or any portion of the fees payable under this Chapter;

(g) the authorities which can suspend or cancel a licence; and

(h) the licensing of schools and establishments for the instruction of drivers of motor vehicles, facilities to be provided, fees to be paid, syllabus to be taught and qualifications of the instructional staff.  

CHAPTER III
  REGISTRATION OF ROAD VEHICLES

18. Road vehicles not to be driven without registration:-

(I) No person shall drive any road vehicle and no owner of a road vehicle shall cause or permit the vehicle to be driven on any national highway for the purpose of carrying passengers or goods unless the vehicle is registered in accordance with this Chapter and the vehicle carries a registration mark displayed in he prescribed manner.

Explanation - A road vehicle shall not be deemed to be registered in accordance with this Chapter if the certificate or registration has been suspended or cancelled.

(2) Nothing in this section shall apply to a road vehicle while being driven within the limits of jurisdiction of a registering authority to, or from, the officially designated place of registration for the purpose of being registered under sections 29, 21, 35 or 36 or to a road vehicle exempted from the provisions of this Chapter while in the possession of a dealer in road vehicles.

19. Registration where to be made:-

(1) Subject to the provisions of sections 21, 35 and 36, every owner of a road vehicle shall cause the vehicle to be registered by the registering authority of the district unless the Government establishes such an authority by notification, in which he has his residence or place of business or in which the vehicle is normally kept.

(2) Government may, by rules made under section 38, require that any certification of registration, issued under the provisions of this Ordinance, shall be presented, within a prescribed period to a specified registering, licensing and vehicle fitness authority for entry therein of such further particulars of the vehicle as such authority may for the purpose of this Ordinance deem fit to record.

20. Registration how to be made:-

(1) An application by, or on behalf of, the owner of a road vehicle for registration shall be in Form ‘F’, as set forth in the First Schedule, and shall contain the information required therein and shall be accompanied by the prescribed fee.

(2) The registering authority shall issue to the owner of a road vehicle registered by it a certificate of registration in Form ‘G’, as set forth in the First Schedule, and shall enter in a record to be kept by it particulars of such certificate.

(3) The registering authority shall assign to the vehicle for display thereon a distinguishing mark (in this Ordinance referred to as the registration mark) consisting of numerals, or of numerals and letters, subject to the condition that the registration mark has been duly notified in the official Gazette.

(4) Government may, by a notification in the official Gazette, direct that road vehicles registered before the commencement of this Ordinance shall be assigned new registration marks within such period and according to such procedure as may be specified in the notification.

21. Temporary registration:-

(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in section 19 the owner of a road vehicle may apply in the prescribed manner to any registering authority to have the vehicle temporarily registered and thereupon such registering authority shall issue to. the owner of the vehicle a temporary certificate of registration and assign to the vehicle a temporary mark of registration.

(2)  A registration made under sub-section (1) shall be valid only for a period of one month and shall not be renewable.

22. Production of vehicle at the time of registration:-

The registering authority may, before proceeding to register a road vehicle, require the person applying for registration of the vehicle to produce the vehicle either before itself or such authority as Government may, by order, appoint for this purpose in order that the registering authority may satisfy itself that the particulars contained in the application are true and that the vehicle complies with the requirements of Chapter IV and the rules made thereunder.

23. Refusal of registration:-

(1) The registering authority may, for reasons to be recorded in writing, refuse to register any road vehicle, if -

(a)   the vehicle is mechanically so defective as to render its use unsafe;

(b)   the vehicle does not comply with the requirements of Chapter IV, or the rules made thereunder;

(c)   the applicant fails to furnish particulars of previous registration of the vehicle if any; or

(d)   the applicant fails to produce before the registering authority - 

    (i) where the vehicle has been previously registered under law relating to the registration of road vehicles in force at any place in Pakistan, a letter of authority or a certificate of  transfer from the person shown as owner in the last registration certificate in respect of such vehicle,

   (ii) where tic vehicle has been imported from any place out of Pakistan, has not been previously registered at any place in Pakistan, an import license for the vehicle; or 

(e)   where the documents submitted by the applicant are suspected to be false.

(2) Where a registering authority refuses to register a road vehicle, it shall furnish to the applicant free of cost a copy of the reasons for refusal.

24. Validity of registration:-

(1) Subject to the provisions of’ section 25 and sub-section (4) of section 20, a road vehicle    registered by a competent authority, in any part of Pakistan under any law relating to road vehicles in force in such part, shall not be required to be registered under this Ordinance.

Provided that there is in force in respect of the vehicle a certificate conforming to, and containing substantially the same particulars as, the certificate of registration issued by such competent authority in respect of such vehicle.

(2) A certificate complying with the requirements of the proviso to sub-section (1) shall be effective throughout the country as if it were a certificate of registration issued under this Ordinance and the provisions of this Ordinance shall apply thereto.

(3) Nothing in sub-section-(1) shall apply to any road vehicle previously registered in the country if the certificate of registration of the vehicle is, for the time being, suspended or cancelled for any reason other than that of permanent removal of the vehicle from the country.

25. Assignment of fresh registration mark on removal to another Province:-

(1) When a road vehicle, not required to be registered in any part of Pakistan by virtue of sub-section (1) of section 29, is kept in the area for a period exceeding twelve months, the owner of the vehicle shall apply to the registering authority, within whose jurisdiction the vehicle then is, for the assignment of a new registration mark and shall present the certificate of registration of the vehicle to the registering authority.

(2) The registering authority, to which application is made under sub-section (1), shall assign the vehicle a registration mark in accordance with sub-section (3) of section 20 to be carried thenceforth on the vehicle and shall enter the mark upon the certificate of registration of the vehicle before returning to the applicant and shall also, in communication with the registering authority by whom the vehicle was previously registered, arrange for the transfer or the registration of the vehicle from the records of that registering authority to its own records.

26. Change of residence or place of business:-

(1) If the owner of the road vehicle ceases to reside or has shifted place of business at the address recorded in the certificate of registration of the vehicle, he shall, within thirty days of any such change of address, intimate his new address to the registering authority by which the certificate of registration was issued, or, if the new address is within the jurisdiction of another registering authority, to that other registering authority and shall at the same time forward the certificate of registration to the registering authority in order that the new address may be entered therein.

(2) A registering authority other than the original registering authority making any such entry, shall communicate the altered address to the original registering authority.

(3) Nothing in sub-section (1) shall apply where the change of the address recorded in the certificate of registration is due to a temporary absence not intended to exceed one year in duration or where the road vehicle is neither used nor removed from the address recorded in the certificate of registration.

27. Transfer of ownership:-

(1) Within thirty days of the transfer of ownership of any road vehicle registered under this chapter, the transferor shall initiate, through a registered letter, the transfer to the original registration authority and the transferee shall forward the certificate of registration of the vehicle to that registering authority within whose jurisdiction he ordinarily resides together with the prescribed fee in order that particulars of the transfer of ownership may be entered therein.

(2) A registering authority other than the original registering authority making any such entry shall communicate the transfer of ownership to the original registering authority.

28. Alteration in road vehicle:-

(1) If a road vehicle is so altered that the particulars contained in the certificate of registration are no longer accurate, the owner of the vehicle shall, within fourteen days of the making of any such alteration, report the alteration to the registering authority within whose jurisdiction he resides and shall forward the certificate of’ registration of the vehicle to that registering authority with the prescribed fee in order that particulars of the alteration may be entered therein. 

Provided that it shall not be necessary to report any change in the unladen weight of the road vehicle consequent on the addition or removal of fittings or accessories, if such change does not exceed two per cent of the weight entered in the certificate of registration.

(2) A registering authority other than the original registering authority making any such entry shall communicate the details of the entry to the original registering authority.

29. Suspension of registration:-

(1) A registering authority or any other prescribed authority may, after giving the owner an opportunity of being heard and for reasons to be recorded in writing, suspend the registration certificate of a road vehicle if,-

(a)    the vehicle is not insured as required under this Ordinance;

(b)    any fees or taxes payable in respect of the vehicle under this Ordinance or the rules made thereunder, or under any other law have remained unpaid for a period exceeding three months from the date of such fees or taxes were due;

(c)    in the case of a transport vehicle, if it is not covered by a valid certificate of fitness;

(d)    the authority has reasons to believe that the vehicle is in such a condition that its use in a public place would constitute a danger to the public, or that it fails to comply with the requirements of Chapter IV or of the rules made thereunder;

(e)   a substantially false statement has been made in the application for registration of the vehicle; or

(f)   the registration certificate has been deliberately defaced or mutilated or unauthorized additions or alterations have been made therein,

and such suspension shall remain in force till such time the deficiencies have been rectified and the grounds, on which suspension was made, no longer exist.

(2) A registering authority, or any prescribed authority. may, after giving the owner an opportunity of being heard and for reasons to be recorded in writing, suspend, for a period not exceeding six months, the certificate of registration of a vehicle if -  

(a)    it is satisfied that the vehicle is used for subversive activities against the State;

(b)    the vehicle is used for hire or reward without obtaining a permit from the competent authority; or

(c)     it is established in a court that the vehicle has been used by the owner or with his knowledge or connivance in the commission of a cognizable offence punishable with imprisonment of five years or more.

(3) An authority other than a registering authority, shall when making a suspension order under sub-section( 1), intimate in writing the fact of suspension and the reasons therefor to the registering authority within whose jurisdiction the vehicle is at the time of the suspension.

(4) A registering authority, or other prescribed authority, suspending the registration certificate of a road vehicle under this section shall communicate the fact of suspension together with the reasons therefor in writing to the owner of the vehicle, and the owner shall thereupon forthwith surrender to that authority the certificate of registration and any other document issued to authorize the use of the vehicle in a public place.

(5) Where the registration of a road vehicle has been suspen4ed under sub-sect ion (1) for a period of not less than one month, the registering authority, within whose jurisdiction the vehicle was at the time the registration was suspended, shall, if it is not the original registering authority, inform the original authority about the suspension, and when the suspension is continued without interruption for a period of not less than six months, the registering authority within whose jurisdiction the vehicle was at the time the registration was suspended, may, if it is the original registering authority cancel the registration and if it is not the original registering authority shall forward the certificate of registration and any other document surrendered under sub-section (4) to that authority which may cancel it forthwith.

(6) The certificate of registration and any other document surrendered under sub-section (4) shall be returned to the owner when the order suspending. registration is rescinded.

30. Cancellation of registration:-

(1) If a road vehicle has been destroyed or has been rendered permanently incapable of’ use, the owner shall within a period not exceeding fifteen days report the fact to the registering authority, within whose jurisdiction he resides, and shall forward to that authority the certificate of the vehicle together with any document issued to authorize the use of the vehicle in a public place.

(2) The registering authority shall, if it is the original registering authority, cancel the registration and the certificate of registration or, if it is not the original authority shall forward the report and the certificate of registration to the original registering authority and that authority shall cancel the registration and the certificate of registration forthwith.

(3) Any registering authority may order the examination of a road vehicle within its jurisdiction by such authority as it may appoint and if upon such examination and after giving the owner an opportunity of being heard it is satisfied that the vehicle is in such a condition that its use in a public place would constitute a danger to the public and that it is beyond reasonable repair, may, for reasons to be recorded in writing, cancel the registration of the vehicle.

(4) If the registering authority is satisfied that a road vehicle has been permanently removed out of the Province, it shall cancel the registration of the vehicle and inform the owner of such vehicle accordingly.

(5) A registering authority or any prescribed authoity cancelling the registration of a road vehicle under this section shall communicate the fact, together with the reasons therefor, in writing to the owner of the vehicle, and the owner of the vehicle shall thereupon forthwith surrender to that authority the certificate of registration of the vehicle and any other document issued to authorize the use of the vehicle in a public place.

(6) A registering authority making an order of cancellation under this section shall, if it is the original registering authority, cancel the certificate of registration and the entry relating to the vehicle in its record and if it is not the original registering authority intimate in writing the fact of cancellation, and the reasons therefor, and forward the certificate of registration and any other document surrendered to it to the original registering authority, and that authority shall cancel the certificate of registration and the entry relating to the road vehicle in its records forthwith. 

Explanation:- The expression “original registering authority”, hereinafter used, means the registering authority in whose records the registration of the vehicle is recorded.

31. Appeals:-

(1) Any owner of a road vehicle aggrieved by an order of refusal to register a road vehicle made under section 23 or by an order of suspension or cancellation of registration made under section 29 or section 30 or to issue a certificate under sub-section (I) of section 34 or by an order of cancellation of the fitness certificate made under sub-section(3) of section 34 may, within thirty days of the date on which he has received notice of such order, prefer appeal against the order in the prescribed manner to the prescribed authority.

(2) The appellate authority shall give notice of the appeal to the original authority, and after giving opportunity of being heard to the original authority and the appellant either personally or by pleader pass such orders, as it may think fit.

32. Special requirement for registration of transport vehicles:-

 (1) A registering authority shall refuse to register a transport vehicle, other than a motor cab unless the application for registration is accompanied by a document in Form “H”, asset forth in the First Schedule, signed by the maker of the vehicle or an assembler duly authorized by the maker in this behalf stating the maximum laden weight and maximum weights for which the vehicle is and the several axles are designed.

(2) Where a transport vehicle or chassis, as the case may be, has affixed to it a metal plate, bearing the stamp of the maker or assembler and identified as appertaining to the particular vehicle or chassis to which it is attached, which contains the particulars specified in sub­section (1), that plate may at the discretion of a registering authority be deemed to be the document referred to in that sub-section.

33. Special particulars to be recorded on registration of transport vehicles:-

A registering authority, when registering a transport vehicle other than a motor-cab, shall enter in the record of registration and shall also enter in the certificate of registration of the vehicle the following particulars, namely:-

(a)      the unladen weight of the vehicle; 

(b)    the number, nature and size of’ the tyres attached to each wheel;

(c)    the laden weight of the vehicle and the axle weights pertaining to the several axles thereof, determined in accordance with the load ratings approved by the Provincial Transport Authority;

(d)     if the vehicle is used or adapted to be used for the carriage of passengers solely, or in addition to goods, the number of passengers for whom accommodation is provided.

34. Certificate of fitness of transport vehicles:-

(1) Subject to the provisions of section 35, a transport vehicle shall not be deemed to be validly registered for the purposes of section 18 unless it carries a certificate of fitness in Form “I”, as set forth in the First Schedule, issued by the prescribed authority, to the effect that the vehicle complies for the time being with all requirements of Chapter IV and the rules made thereunder, and where the prescribed authority refuses to issue such certificate it shall supply the owner of the vehicle with its reasons in writing for such refusal free of any charge.

 (2)  Subject to the provisions of sub-section (3), a certificate of fitness shall remain effective for one year unless a shorter period, not being in any case less than six months, is specified in the certificate by the authority issuing the certificate.

(3)  The prescribed authority may, for reasons to be recorded in writing, cancel a certificate of fitness at any time, if satisfied that the vehicle to which it relates no longer complies with any one or more of the requirements of this Ordinance and the rules made thereunder and on such cancellation the certificate of’ registration of the vehicle and any permit granted in respect of the vehicle shall be deemed to be suspended until a new certificate of fitness has been obtained.

(4) The certificate of fitness shall automatically become invalid if the vehicle is involved in an accident resulting in loss of’ property damage exceeding five thousand rupees or personal injuries requiring hospitalization or death.

 35. Registration of vehicles being the property of the Government:-

(1) Authority designated by the Government may registe