Section 56 of MVA : Section 56: Certificate Of Fitness Of Transport Vehicles

Explanation using Example

Imagine a scenario where a local transport company owns a fleet of buses that are used for inter-city travel. One of the buses is due for its annual fitness check. The company takes the bus to an authorised testing station, as required by Section 56 of The Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.

The testing station conducts a thorough inspection of the bus to ensure it meets all the safety standards and requirements set by the Act and the rules made thereunder. This includes checking the engine performance, brakes, lights, tires, and emissions.

After the inspection, the bus is found to be in excellent condition and complies with all the requirements. The testing station issues a certificate of fitness to the transport company, indicating that the bus is fit for operation. This certificate is necessary for the bus to be considered validly registered under section 39 of the Act.

However, if the bus had not passed the inspection, the testing station would have provided the transport company with written reasons for the refusal to issue a certificate of fitness. The company would then need to address these issues before the bus could be re-tested and a certificate of fitness granted.

Once the certificate of fitness is obtained, it is valid throughout India, and the bus is required to display a prescribed distinguishing mark to indicate its certified status.