Section 235 in The West Bengal Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989
235. Driver's seat.
(1)Every motor vehicle, having seating capacity of not more than five persons inclusive of the driver used for the carriage of passengers, other than a motor car, shall have the steering control on the right hand side of the vehicle.(2)The State Government may by order exempt, on such condition as may be specified in the order, any motor vehicle or class of motor vehicle used for the carriage of passengers (otherwise than as a Stage Carriage or a Contract Carriage not being a meterless taxi engaged for the use of the tourists) from the operation of sub-rule (1).(3)In every public service vehicle such space shall be reserved for the driver's seat so as to allow him to have full and unimpeded control of the vehicle and, in particular,-(i)the part of the seat against which the driver's back rests, shall not be less than 28 centimetres from the nearest point on the steering wheel;(ii)the width across the vehicle shall be not less than 69 centimetres and shall extend to the left of the centre of the steering column in no case less than 25 centimetres so that a line drawn parallel to the axis of the vehicle through the centre of any gear lever, brake lever or other device to which the driver has to have frequent access lies not less than 5 centimetres inside the width reserved for the driver's seat; and(iii)in the case of a public service vehicle other than a motor cab, the space reserved in accordance with clause (11) shall at the left hand end be enclosed with a rigid wooden or other suitable partition to a height not less than 31 centimetres above the seat, and forward of the seat. above the floor of the vehicle.(4)Arm rests for the driver not more than 10 centimetres wide may be provided within the space specified in clause (ii) of sub-rule (3).(5)No public service vehicle shall be so constructed that any person may sit or any luggage may be carried on the right hand side of the driver.(6)Every public service vehicle shall be so constructed that save for the front pillar of the body, the driver shall have a clear vision both to the front and through an angle of 90 degrees to his right hand side. The front pillar of the body shall be so constructed as not to obstruct the vision of the driver to the least possible extent.
