Bus and Public Transport Passenger Rules
Buses must not exceed seating capacity. Standing passengers are permitted only within city limits.
Every bus must carry a valid stage carriage or contract carriage permit. Seated capacity is painted on the bus exterior. Standing passengers are permitted in city buses up to a prescribed limit. Intercity/highway buses must not allow standees.
Penalty Under Law
Exceeding capacity: ₹200 per extra passenger (Sec. 194A). Without permit: ₹10,000.
Legal Source
MV Act Sec. 66, 86, 128; CMVR Rule 91, 92
What the Law Says
Section 66 MV Act: No bus shall operate without a valid permit. Section 128: The number of passengers carried must not exceed the permitted capacity. CMVR Rule 91: Maximum standing passengers in city buses = 60% of seating capacity. Rule 92: Intercity and highway buses (speed above 65 km/h) must not carry standing passengers. The registered seating capacity is painted on the bus exterior per CMVR format.
💡 Why This Rule Exists
Overcrowded buses are a significant safety risk — passengers fall off, doors cannot close, emergency evacuation is impossible, and the excess weight degrades braking and stability. In India, bus accidents involving overcrowded vehicles frequently result in mass casualties. The standing ban on highway buses is because a standing passenger has no protection in a high-speed collision or emergency brake.
Key Facts
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Seating capacity: painted on the exterior of every bus.
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City buses: up to 60% standees of seating capacity allowed.
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Highway buses: NO standing passengers permitted.
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Doors must be closable — no passengers hanging from doors.
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Emergency exits must be functional and clearly marked.
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School buses have additional rules: escort, speed governor (40 km/h), first aid kit.
⚠️ Common Violations
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Packed buses with passengers hanging from doors and footboards.
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Highway buses allowing standees during festivals.
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Operating without a valid bus permit.
Frequently Asked Questions
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More Commercial Vehicles Rules
Commercial Driving Licence Requirements
To drive any vehicle for hire or reward, you need a commercial driving licence (CDL). The minimum age is 18 for light transport and 20 for heavy transport (trucks, buses). A CDL requires passing additional tests including a driving test with a heavy vehicle.
Driving commercial vehicle without CDL: ₹5,000 (Sec
Goods Vehicle and Cargo Transport Rules
Every goods vehicle must carry a valid goods permit. Cargo must be secured with ropes or chains, must not protrude beyond the body without markings, and the total weight must not exceed the registered gross vehicle weight (GVW).
Without permit: ₹10,000 (Sec
Speed Governor / Speed Limiter Rules
All commercial transport vehicles must have a functioning speed governor (speed limiter). Trucks are limited to 60–80 km/h. Buses to 60–80 km/h. School buses to 40 km/h. Tampering with or removing the speed governor is a serious offence.
Driving without speed governor or tampering: ₹5,000 (Sec
Taxi and Auto-Rickshaw Rules
Every taxi and auto-rickshaw must have a valid permit, a calibrated fare meter, and a displayed rate card. Refusal to hire without valid reason is a fineable offence. The driver must take the shortest practical route.
Refusal of hire: ₹5,000 (Sec