Forklifts and cranes used within factory premises too are motor vehicles, and hence must be registered under the Motor Vehicles Act, the Kerala High Court has held. Hence they require mandatory registration and the payment of motor vehicle tax, the court said.
It went on to dismiss a plea by a petitioner firm from Mulanthuruthy in Ernakulam that operated two forklifts and a hydraulic crane that did not have registration and insurance cover. The firm had challenged a Motor Vehicles department directive that prohibited it from operating these equipment sans these two aspects.
The firm contended that the equipment did not fall within the definition of the MV Act, since they operated solely as material handling equipment within the factory premises and were never used on public roads.
The MVD contended that they are roadworthy and that the factory premises are accessible to workers, visitors and also to other vehicles. The premises thus constituted a public place as mentioned under the Act. Registration and insurance were thus crucial to ensure compensation in case of accident.
The court ruled that the term motor vehicle covered any mechanically propelled vehicle adapted for use on roads, and dismissed the firms plea.
Published – November 24, 2025 09:33 pm IST
