Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 · Chapter XIII: Offences, Penalties and Procedure
Section 196: Driving uninsured vehicle
Whoever drives a motor vehicle or causes or allows a motor vehicle to be driven in contravention of the provisions of section 146 shall be [liable for the first contravention with penalty of three times the base premium for such vehicle specified under sub-section (2) of section 147 or five thousand rupees, whichever is higher, and for a subsequent contravention shall be liable to penalty of five times the base premium for such vehicle as specified under sub-section (2) of section 147 or ten thousand rupees, whichever is higher].
Source: India Code (indiacode.gov.in), the consolidated text published by the Legislative Department, Government of India. Text as updated on India Code on 14 October 2026. Words in square brackets [ ] were inserted or substituted by later amending Acts, and *** marks words omitted by an amendment. The amendment footnotes are not reproduced here. Official text on India Code.