Jains can use vehicles, but there are different rules for:

1. Monks / Sādhus–Sādhvīs (ascetics)
2. Shrāvaks–Shrāvikās (householders / lay Jains)

Let’s separate both clearly.

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1. For Jain monks and nuns

For Digambar and Shwetambar monks/nuns, using vehicles (car, bike, auto, bus, plane, etc.) is not allowed.

Main reasons:

1. Ahimsā (non‑violence)

- Vehicles crush countless insects and small beings on the road. - Fast travel = less carefulness (apramād), so more chance of violence. - Jain āchār (conduct texts) demand maximum carefulness in movement (irya samiti), which is only possible when walking slowly and mindfully.

1. Aparigraha (non‑possession, non‑luxury)

- Vehicle is a big comfort and possession. - A monk is supposed to live with minimum facilities, fully dependent on others and on his own feet, not on machines.

1. Tap & simplicity

- Walking in heat, cold, rain, dust, etc. becomes tapascharyā (austerity) and reduces karma. - Vehicle removes this tapas and makes life more comfortable, which is against monastic ideal.

1. Traditional monastic code

- From early Jain scriptures (like Ācārāṅga Sūtra for Shwetambar, and Digambar Ācāra-granthas), monks are instructed to: - Walk only during daylight - Walk limited distance - Avoid night travel (rātri‑vihār) - Using vehicles directly breaks this ancient discipline of walking.

So: For monks and nuns, use of vehicles is prohibited by maryādā (code of conduct), not just “discouraged”.

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2. For lay Jains (householders)

For ordinary Jains living family life, using vehicles is allowed.

But:

• One should avoid unnecessary travel just for show‑off, fun, pride, or luxury.
• Try to:

- Prefer walking for short distances - Drive slowly and carefully to reduce himsā - Avoid night driving as far as possible (more insects, less visibility). ( jainknowledge.com) - Avoid anger, ego, lies, cheating, etc. during travel (all are forms of himsā).

Jain dharma is practical for householders:

• You may need vehicle for job, study, seva, emergency, family responsibilities, etc.
• Then, using vehicle with awareness, care, and minimum harm is accepted.

There is no Jain scriptural rule that all Jains (including laypeople) “cannot” use vehicles at all. The strict rule is mainly for ascetics.

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Digambar vs Shwetambar difference?

• For monks/nuns – Both traditions agree:

- They must not use vehicles. - They should live by padayātrā (walking) only.

• For laypeople – Both agree:

- Vehicles can be used, but - Ahimsā, aparigraha, and simplicity should guide how much and why they are used.

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In simple words

• Monks/Nuns:

- Cannot use vehicles – to avoid violence, luxury, and to maintain strict discipline and tapas.

• Lay Jains:

- Can use vehicles – but use them less, use them carefully, and avoid unnecessary, show‑off or harmful travel.