Road Terms Explained: A Glossary of Indian Traffic Law

Traffic law uses words with exact meanings. "Stopping" and "parking" are not the same thing, "give way" is not the same as "stop", and a "light motor vehicle" is defined by its weight, not by what it looks like. This glossary explains, in plain words, the terms used in the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, the Motor Vehicles (Driving) Regulations, 2017 and on this website. Where the law gives a definition, we follow it; where it does not, we say so.

Roads and road users

• Road: in the Driving Regulations, a road includes bridges, tunnels, lay-bys, ferry ramps, interchanges, roundabouts, traffic islands, dividers, all traffic lanes, ramps, median strips, toll plazas and roads under construction. Private roads are not included.
• Carriageway: the part of a road normally used by vehicles, whether or not it is separated from other parts by a divider or a difference in height.
• Footpath and cycle track: parts of the road for pedestrians and cyclists; vehicles must not be driven or parked on them (Regulations 22 and 39; Rule 26).
• Lane: a strip of the carriageway marked for one line of traffic. Where a lane is marked for a particular class of vehicle, such as buses, no other class may use it (Regulation 6).
• Intersection: any level crossroad, junction or fork, including the open area they form (Rule 06).
• Major road: a highway, road or street designated as major by the authority in charge of it. At unmarked junctions the law gives no further test (see Unmarked junctions).
• National highway, State highway, major district road: classes of road declared by the Central or State Government.
• Construction zone: a stretch of road where work is going on or has been declared, including the work area, traffic space and buffer space.
• Traffic island: a raised or marked area at or near an intersection used to guide vehicles.
• Silence zone: an area notified by the authorities where sounding the horn is prohibited (Rule 27).
• Road user: anyone driving or travelling in a vehicle on a road, or a pedestrian.
• Rider or passenger: anyone travelling on a motor vehicle other than as its driver, paid or not (see Passengers).
• Traffic: in law this means more than vehicles: it includes pedestrians, processions, ridden or herded animals and every other kind of road travel.

Priority and movement

• Right of way: a road user's lawful priority to go ahead of another road user whose path could lead to danger or a collision, unless it is given up.
• Give way: slow down or stop as needed so that the road user who has the right of way can go without having to brake or swerve because of you. A Give Way sign does not always need a full stop; a STOP sign always does (Regulation 7; Rule 06).
• Stopping: a brief, voluntary halt to let passengers get in or out, or to load or unload goods quickly.
• Parking: keeping a vehicle stationary for any other purpose. Standing for more than three minutes counts as parking, even if you stay in the vehicle (Rule 10).
• Overtaking: passing a vehicle moving in the same direction, normally on its right (Rule 04).
• Lane splitting (lane filtering): a two-wheeler riding between lanes of slower traffic, allowed only in limited conditions (Regulation 33; Rule 15).

Road markings

• Road marking: lines, patterns or words, other than signs, placed on the carriageway, kerbs or nearby objects to control, warn, guide or inform road users.
• Longitudinal marking: a line running along the direction of traffic, such as a lane line or centre line.
• Transverse marking: a line across the carriageway, such as a STOP line or Give Way line.
• Solid and broken lines: do not cross a solid line to overtake; a broken line beside a solid line may be crossed only from the broken side (Regulation 6; Rule 13).
• Yellow box: a criss-cross yellow marking where you must not stop (Regulation 22).

Vehicles

• Motor vehicle: in general, any mechanically propelled vehicle used or adapted for use on roads, with some exceptions set out in Section 2 of the Motor Vehicles Act.
• Light motor vehicle (LMV): a transport vehicle or bus with a gross vehicle weight of up to 7,500 kg, or a car, tractor or road-roller with an unladen weight of up to 7,500 kg (Section 2(21); see Licence classes).
• Heavy vehicle: a heavy goods vehicle or heavy passenger vehicle as defined in the Act.
• Transport vehicle: a vehicle used to carry goods or passengers for hire or reward, such as a goods carrier, taxi, bus or auto-rickshaw (see Licence classes).
• Goods carriage: a vehicle built or adapted to carry goods. People may not be carried in it for hire or reward, and only the number shown on the registration certificate may ride in the cabin (Regulation 32).
• Adapted vehicle: a vehicle specially made or modified for a person with a disability (Rule 34).
• Gross vehicle weight and unladen weight: the maximum permitted weight when loaded, and the weight when empty.

Licences and documents

• Learner's licence: a temporary licence to learn to drive a class of vehicle with a licensed supervisor and L-plates (Rule 20).
• Driving licence: the licence allowing you to drive the classes of vehicle shown on it (see Licence classes).
• Registration certificate (RC): proof that the vehicle is registered.
• PUC certificate: "pollution under control" certificate showing the vehicle meets emission standards (Rule 21).
• Insurance certificate: proof of at least the compulsory third-party insurance (Rule 32).
• E-challan: an electronic record of a traffic fine, paid only through official channels (Rule 30).

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