Kolkata: According to Section 192 of the Motor Vehicles Act, any contravention regarding driving ‘TC (Trade Certificate) cars’ shall be punishable — with a maximum of Rs 5,000 for the first offence. For a second offence, the fine could be a minimum of Rs 2,000 with a year’s imprisonment. Subsequent offences can even invite a fine of Rs 10,000, along with a year in prison.
Sources said TCs are widely abused as temporary registration numbers, mainly because dealers prefer to transfer vehicles to owners before registration for faster vehicular movement from showrooms.A department official said the onus would be on the dealer if a TC vehicle were to be involved in an accident or crime, as the registration authority issued the TC to the dealer, not to the customer. A senior official referred to a major crime committed in a TC number in Purulia. In that case, the police first arrested the dealer. “The guidelines are meant for both public safety and immunity of automobile dealers from harassment. If dealers comply with rules and regulations, they can operate in a secure environment,” said transport minister Snehasis Chakraborty.