Shillong, March 20 : The Government of Meghalaya has issued a strict notification to enforce Section 199A of the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019, targeting underage driving, following directives from the Supreme Court Committee on Road Safety (SCCORS).
Government Orders Immediate Enforcement and Stern Action : The Transport Department, in a notification dated February 28, 2025, has directed all enforcement agencies to immediately and rigorously implement the provisions of Section 199A. Special attention is to be given to identifying and preventing juveniles and underage students from driving motorized vehicles.
Vehicle Owners to Face Legal Action : The notification emphasizes that owners of motorized vehicles who allow their underage wards to drive will be held accountable. Legal action under Section 199A will be initiated against such vehicle owners.
Awareness Campaigns to Educate Public : To supplement the enforcement measures, the government has ordered awareness campaigns in schools, colleges, and communities. Collaboration with educational institutions is also mandated to ensure students and parents are informed about the strict enforcement measures.
Quarterly Reports for Monitoring : The Transport Department has mandated quarterly reports on enforcement activities and actions taken under this directive to monitor compliance and effectiveness.
“This directive is issued in the interest of public safety and to uphold the rule of law,” stated D.D. Sangma, IAS, Secretary to the Government of Meghalaya, Transport Department. “All concerned authorities are requested to take immediate and necessary action to implement this directive.”
