It is indeed shocking to note that even though the Motor Vehicle Act bars minors from riding a two-wheeler and that they are not entitled to a license, the law does not require registration with the authorities of a battery-powered two-wheeler nor is the owner required to pay the road tax (Herald November 14). Does this mean that one can ride a battery operated vehicle without obtaining the mandatory driving license?
By it’s very meaning a motor vehicle as mentioned in the Motor Vehicle Act means ‘a vehicle with a motor’. A battery-powered vehicle does possess a motor. Hence the Motor Vehicle Act should apply to every vehicle which runs on a motor irrespective of it being powered by a battery or otherwise. We have cars which run on electricity. Does it mean that the mandatory registration and driving license are not necessary to drive such a car?
Once one is on the road driving any kind of vehicle the person has to come under the ambit of all the rules of the Motor Vehicle Act. A person riding/driving a vehicle on the road is responsible for his/her safety as well as the safety of the other road-users as well as the pedestrians.
The authority concerned need to clarify on whether registration, payment of road-tax as well as a driving license is not necessary for driving a battery-powered two-wheeler.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
