Is Luggage Carrier Illegal in India? What the Law Says

Gautam Verma
2 days ago
2 min read

There has been a lot of confusion among vehicle owners in India about whether installing a luggage carrier (roof carrier) on a private vehicle is illegal. To understand the legal position clearly, an RTI was filed with the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH) asking a very specific question:

Is there any notification, circular, or specific rule that outright prohibits the use of luggage carriers on private (non-commercial) vehicles?

What Was Asked in the RTI

The RTI specifically sought:

Any central notification or rule banning luggage carriers on private vehicles
The rule number, date, and applicability, if such a prohibition exists
Whether penal action can be taken in the absence of a specific notification

What the Law Position Indicates

Based on the response and verification of applicable motor vehicle laws:

There is no specific central notification that declares luggage carriers on private vehicles as illegal by default.
The Motor Vehicles law does not use the word “ban” for luggage carriers on private vehicles.
However, vehicle alteration is regulated under the Motor Vehicles Act and Central Motor Vehicle Rules.

In simple terms:

A luggage carrier is not automatically illegal, but it can become problematic if installed or used without following the prescribed procedure.

Where the Issue Actually Arises

The law focuses on alteration of vehicles, not on accessories as such.If a luggage carrier:

Is permanently installed
Alters the structure, dimensions, or safety of the vehicle
Requires endorsement in the Registration Certificate (RC)

then prior approval from the Registering Authority (RTO) may be required.

If such approval is not obtained, the vehicle owner may face issues during enforcement checks.

What Vehicle Owners Should Do (Practical Guidance)

To stay on the safe side:

Consult your vehicle dealership before installing a permanent luggage carrier
Check with your local RTO whether approval or endorsement is required
Alternatively, you can apply online through the Parivahan (VAHAN) portal

On the Parivahan website, you can:

Go to Vehicle Registration Services
Choose Application for Alteration of Vehicle
Submit the required details and documents(You may edit or verify the exact navigation on the VAHAN website as per current layout)

If the requisite permission is granted, the luggage carrier can be used lawfully.

Final Word

There is no blanket illegality attached to luggage carriers on private vehicles in India. The legal risk arises only when a vehicle is altered without following the prescribed approval process.

Vehicle owners are advised to follow due procedure rather than rely on assumptions or misinformation.