The Motor Vehicle Act, 1939 was replaced by Motor vehicle Act, 1988. Rules were farmed under Motor Vehicle Act,1988 as Central Motor Vehicle Rules 1989 and State Motor Vehicle Rules 1991.

Area of activities under this act and rules framed their under:

1. Motor Vehicle Act, 1988
2. Central Motor Vehicle Rules,1989
3. J&K Motor Vehicle Rules 1991
4. J&K Motor Vehicle Taxation Act, 1957

a) State Transport Authority which constitutes:

State Transport Authority has been constituted by the Government at the state level with Chairman and four members. Powers vested under MVAct,1988 and the rules framed there under:

Functions : All functions regarding disposal of cases under the provisions of MV Act, 1988 CMV Rules 1989 and J&K MV Act Rules 1991.

b) Regional Transport Authority at District level RTOs Jammu and Kashmir Constitutes

Regional Transport Authority has been constituted by the Government at District levels, to function with the powers vested under rule 67 of J&K MV Rule 1991

c) Regulatory Authority The responsibility of regulatory authority is:

• Mobility -Registration of all types of vehicle plying on roads.
• Safety- Conduct test of competency, issue of driving licenses.
• Accessibility- Issue the route permits, connect all towns and villages.
• Environmental Aspects -Issue of fitness certificates to well maintained vehicles to control vehicular traffic.

Introduction of Smart Card in J&K

Smart Card

The Smart Card is a type of chip card, a plastic card, embedded with an electronic chip that stores and transacts data between users. The data may be in the form of photograph or information or both within its memory. The card contains an embedded microprocessor. The microprocessor is under a gold contact pad on one side of the card. The term smart card came into existence after year 1995 when the microprocessor was used for many purposes, including cell phones.

Benefits of Smart Card

The following benefits are observed in the use of Smart cards:-

1. Compact storage of data.
2. Tamper proof storage of data.
3. Secured operation.
4. No cash transaction.
5. Easy Access.
6. Remote sensing can act within fraction of seconds without contact.
7. Uniformity of system.

Use of Smart Card in Transport Department

In the Transport Department, Smart Card can be used for Registration, Recollection, Permit Issuance, Driving Licensing, Pollution Control Records and Enforcement activities proposed to be introduced shortly.

Norms of Fitness Certificate

A fitness certificate in respect of transport Vehicle is granted under Sec. 56, shall be in form 38, such Certificate is granted /renewed for a period of one to three years.

The Fitness Certificate is granted only after conducting of specified tests on the following equipment of the Vehicle and found in good working conditions.

• Spark plug/ Suppressor cap/ High tension cables.
• Head light High & Low Beams and other lights, bulbs.
• Reflectors.
• Safety glasses.
• Horn.
• Silencer (ensure no leakage).
• Dashboard equipment.
• Windshield wiper.
• Engine and exhaust emission.
• Brakes and Braking System.
• Speedometer.
• Steering wheel and linkages.
• Wheels and Tyres.
• Suspension,Chasis, springs shock absorbers etc.

Commercial/Non Commercial Vehicles

ALLOTMENT OF SERIES REGISTRATION (OLD)

Act of 1939 was amended to Act Number 47 of 1982 together with State amendments, State accidents claims, tribunal rules, other rules and notifications with short notes and the tyre rules incorporated in 1993 vide SRO 295(E) dated 15.4.83.The State rules 1972 framed under Motor vehicle Act, 1939,where the State Government had a power to frame rules under the provisions of the Chapters. The State rules 1972 remained in force upto 1998, and there were only two registering Authorities, viz:

a)Regional Transport Authority Jammu
b)Regional Transport Authority Srinagar, supervised by Transport Commissioner as State Transport Authority

The vehicles were registered under the series of JK as State code and A,B,C, as series code. The series were reserved as:

Allotment of Registration Marks by Registering Authorities (District Level)

With the creation of district Assistant Regional Transport Offices one of the functions of these these Registering Authorities is to assign registration to Motor Vehicles. Government vide SRO:195 notification dated 20.09.1994 authorized the district registering authorities to assign the registration code to the vehicles for display thereon, as per table give below:

Preferential Registration Numbers

Government vide Order Number 71-TR Of 1999 dated 12-10-1999 authorized Registering Authorities to assign Preferential Registration numbers to motor vehicles for display thereon on payment of Rs. 2000/-. The preferential numbers are:

Color Schemes

Proper painting of transport vehicles is an essential and mandatory requirement before a fitness certificated is granted and the vehicles are required to be painted in such a Colour or colours as prescribed by the J&K State Transport Authority/ Central Motor Vehicle Rules 1989.

Transport Adalat

The Transport Department is conducting Transport Adalat once in three months in all RTO and ARTOs Offices for on spot redressal

Objects of Transport Adalat.

1. To hear public grievances and complaints.
2. To receive suggestions for improvement on various items of works.
3. Spot decisions on certain issues which are common in the interest of public.
4. To highlight the problems relating to air pollutions caused by the motor vehicles.

Who can/will participate in the Transport Adalat

Citizens, Unions of transport sector, local MLAs, Corporators/Municipal Councilors, Chairman RTA, Superintendent of Police, Gram Panchayat Members and others who have grievances about the services of the Transport Department. They can be make suggestions for improvement of services.