To put it simply, yes, it is legal to tow a car with another car in India, as long as you are following the rules laid down in the Motor Vehicles Act. There are certainly some rules you must follow, or else, you’ll be liable to a fine when found towing a car with another car or vehicle. Let’s understand it in a better way.
A Little Bit Of Legal Stuff Regarding Car Towing
Are you wondering if you can tow a car with another car in India? You must be if you’re reading this. If the answer is yes, then you sure have some elementary legal provisions to know in order to do it properly and to keep the machinery absolutely safe for the towed and towing vehicles. As per the rule under Section 32A of the Motor Vehicles Act 1988, only a government-authorized and licensed entity can perform the task of towing a vehicle. Let us put this in simpler terms for you: the company or individual providing the towing services should have permission from the local authorities to do so. And the person sitting behind the wheel should have a valid driving license, obviously.
Towing Equipment Standards
Time to get down to some gear talk. You see, there, of course, are specifications for towing equipment in India. The union between the two vehicles should be solid and require the use of approved ropes, chains, or a tow bar. And here’s the pull-it factor: the driver of both vehicles should ensure they have working lights like tail lights, brake lights, and turn signals. This just ensures that the towed vehicle is visible to other drivers, reducing the risk of accidents.
Weight and Capacity Limits
Probably the number one issue with towing is the size of the vehicle that is towing: Is your vehicle up to the task? This can be illustrated with a couple of numbers: GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating) and GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating). These ‘max’ numbers come directly from the vehicle manufacturer and should not be exceeded. Overloading the vehicles can create a host of safety issues such as vehicle handling or control, and increases the odds of an accident. So keep that in mind.
Specific Rules and Regulations
India has specific parking and towing laws that you also need to know. For example, you may not be able to park your vehicle in specified areas like no-parking zones, near traffic signals, bridges, or in a manner that causes obstruction for smooth traffic flow. But yes, different cities may have additional rules. So you must check what are the state and city-specific laws where you live.
Insurance and Liability
Keep in mind that both the towing vehicle and the vehicle being towed must have insurance. This helps to ensure that any damages caused due to towing are covered. When the vehicle to be towed is damaged due to it being towed, the towing contractor has the liability to compensate for the damages to the vehicle. So yes, common sense tells us, there is a need to confirm that the towing service provider should have the towing vehicle insured, always.
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