IndiaAn auto-rickshaw refused to take me. Is this an offence?
Yes, refusing to carry a passenger without reasonable cause is an offence under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, and can attract a fine of up to ₹500.
What the Law Says
The Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 treats auto-rickshaws as public service vehicles, and imposes a legal duty on drivers to carry passengers unless there's a valid reason not to.
Under Section 95 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, every driver of a transport vehicle (including auto-rickshaws) plying for hire must carry any person or goods offered for transport — unless there is a reasonable cause for refusal.
Reasonable causes may include: vehicle already full, unsafe road conditions, passenger being intoxicated or violent, or the destination being outside the vehicle’s permitted operating zone. Mere unwillingness, prejudice, or demand for extra fare is not reasonable cause.
The law applies to all contract carriages and stage carriages — and auto-rickshaws are explicitly classified as 'contract carriages' under Rule 122 of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989.
Statutory TextNo driver of a transport vehicle shall refuse to carry any person or goods offered for transport in such vehicle unless there is reasonable cause for such refusal.
— Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, s. 95 — Duty of driver of transport vehicle
Sources
Not legal advice. This article is general information based on publicly available sources, written for educational purposes. Laws change and individual situations vary. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before acting on anything you read here. Last reviewed: 2026-06-08.