Traffic Violations and Penalties in India

TRAFFIC-VIOLATIONS-AND-PENALTIES-IN-INDIA

The rules and regulations for Indian drivers named “Rules of the Road Regulation’ came into effect in 1989. Since then these rules have been amended time and again to include the changes in the growing traffic and road networks.

The Indian Motor Vehicle Act specifies the traffic rules common to all states in India. Motorists have to obey these rules as well as city specific traffic police rules. These rules are applicable to two, three and four wheelers, multi-axle buses and trucks.

Read Also: 30 Essential Road Safety Rules in India

The regulations are strictly implemented to maintain discipline and encourage safe driving. A reduction in accidents, smooth flow of traffic and safety of pedestrians are the concern of the traffic police in every city.

Any violations of these laws incur penalties and punishments.Violations are related to driving, traffic signals, parking, vehicle specification, driver behavior, documents etc.

VIOLATIONS AND PENALTIES

RELATED TO DOCUMENTS

Driving without a valid driving license

Rs 500  and/or imprisonment (3 months)    
Vehicle without registration certificate (RC)
book
Rs.2000 to Rs.5000 for depending on vehicle type
Nonavailability of documents while driving as specified in the Motor Vehicle Act Rs. 500

Driving without valid insurance

Rs. 1000 and/or imprisonment (3 months)
Driving without valid permit

Rs. 2000  to Rs 5000 as the case may be
Driving without valid vehicle fitness certificate Rs. 2000  to Rs 5000 as the case may be
Driving by a person below 18 years (minor) Rs. 500
Allowing one’s vehicle to be driven by an  un-licensed or an under-aged person Rs. 1000 and/or imprisonment (3 months)
License holder allowing his license to be
used by another
Rs. 100 for first offence  
Disqualified person applying for license
or driving a vehicle
Rs. 500 and/or imprisonment (3 months)  
Offences relating to licenses      Rs. 500

RELATED TO DRIVING

Driving without fastening seatbelts Rs. 100 for first offence
Rs.300 for subsequent offences  
Over speeding/driving above the speed limits Rs. 400 for first offence
Rs.1000 for subsequent offences
Abetment for over speeding Rs. 300 for first offence
Rs. 500 for subsequent offences
Use of mobile phone while driving Rs. 100 for first offence
Rs.300 for subsequent offences

Driving dangerously/abetment
Rs.1000 for first offence and/or 6 months
Rs.2000 for subsequent
offences and/or 2 years
Hazardous overtaking      Rs. 100
Failing to give way for overtaking Rs. 100
Overtaking from the wrong side Rs. 100
Driving in the centre of the road
without keeping left
Rs. 100
Not driving in the proper lane Rs. 100
Driving against a one way Rs. 100
Reversing without caution Rs. 100
Taking U turns during forbidden hours Rs. 100
Failing to slow down at intersection/
junctions
Rs. 100
Carrying people on footboard   Rs. 100      
Overloading on bikes and two-wheelers Rs. 100
Driving on the footpath Rs. 100
Obstructing a pedestrian crossing Rs. 100
Violating the yellow lines  Rs. 100
Violating the stop line Rs. 100
Violating mandatory road signs Rs. 100
Non-compliance with traffic signals/sign
boards
Rs. 100
Not providing appropriate signals Rs. 100
Crossing red signal lights 


Rs. 100 for first
offence
Rs.300 for
subsequent offences
Driving or allowing to drive a vehicle
carrying excess load


Rs. 2000 minimum and
additional
Rs.1000 per ton of excess
load plus charges for
offloading excess load
Refusal of driver to submit his vehicle to
weighing
Rs. 3000
Driving under the influence of
alcohol/abetment

Rs. 2000 for first offence
and/or 6 months
Rs. 3000 for second
offence and/or 2 years
Driving when mentally or physically unfit to drive/its abetment Rs. 200 for first offence
Rs.500 for subsequent
offences
Driver permits another person to obstruct
his control of the vehicle
Rs. 100 for first offence
Rs.300 for subsequent
offences
Driver and pillion rider failing to wear
helmets
Rs. 100 for first offence
Rs.300 for subsequent
offences
Abandoning vehicles in public places
unattended/Obstructive parking
Rs. 100 for first offence
Rs.300 for subsequent
offences
Any person in- charge who permits
travelling on the running board
Rs. 100 for first offence/
Rs.300 for subsequent
offences
Failure to take precautions at Railway
crossings
Rs. 100 for first offence
Rs.300 for subsequent
offences
Carrying explosive and inflammable
Substances
Rs.100 for first offence
Rs.300 for subsequent
offences
Parking a disabled vehicle causing
impediment to free flow of traffic
Rs. 50  per hour besides
towing charges
Running unauthorized routes without
permits
Rs.2000 to Rs.5000for first
offence Rs. 10000 for
subsequent offences
Causing accident driving a defective
vehicle or Trailer

Rs.250 for first offence.
Rs.1000 for second
offence or imprisonment
for three months
Driving in a public place violating
prescribed standards for road safety,
pollution, noise control
Rs. 1000 for first offence
Rs. 2000 for subsequent
offences
Violating provisions of MV Act regarding
dangerous and hazardous goods


Rs.3000 for first offence and/
or 1 year imprisonment
Rs. 5000 for subsequent
offences and/or 3 years
imprisonment
Racing and speed trials     Rs. 500 and/or 1 month imprisonment  

Read Also: General School Zone Traffic Rules

RELATED TO VEHICLE

Driving without number plates Rs. 100 for first offence
Rs.300 for subsequent offences
Improper use of headlights and tail
lights
Rs. 100 for first offence
Rs.300 for subsequent offences
Using high beam when not
required
Rs. 100 for first offence
Rs.300 for subsequent offences
Driving without a horn Rs. 100 for first offence
Rs.300 for subsequent offences
Improper use of horn while
driving
Rs. 100 for first offence
Rs.300 for subsequent offences
Unauthorized alteration of
vehicle
Rs.100 for first offence
Rs.300 for subsequent
offences
Taking a vehicle without
authority
Rs.500 and/or
imprisonment for 3 months
Absence of wiper Rs.100
Absence of windscreen, side mirrors Rs.100
Absence of brake lights or
indicators
Rs.100
Absence of spare wheel Rs.100
Absence of silencer Rs.100
Park lights not working Rs.100
Provision of audio-visual equipment
affecting road safety and noise
control
Rs.1000

Speedometer not working Rs.100

RELATED TO TRAFFIC AUTHORITIES

Disobeying directions from MV authorities Rs. 500
Disobeying a traffic policeman in uniform

Rs. 100 for first offence
Rs.300 for subsequent ffences
Disregarding of policeman signals

Rs. 100 for first offence
Rs.300 for subsequent
offences
Driver/ conductor failing to produce his license,
certificates of registration, insurance vehicle
permit, fitness on demand to police in a public
place or any other officer of the Motor VehiclesDepartment
Rs. 100 for first offence
Rs.300 for subsequent
offences

When driver is accused of offence under the
MV Act and fails to provide information



Rs.500 for first offence
and/or 3 months
imprisonment
Rs.1000 for subsequent
offences and/or 6
months imprisonment
In case of accidents, failure to report to the
police, failure to provide information to the
insurer and failure to provide medical aid to
victims

Rs.500 for first offence
and/or 3 months
imprisonment
Rs.1000 for subsequent
offences and/or 6
months imprisonment
Selling of altered vehicles violating MV Act Rs.500

RELATED TO PUBLIC TRANSPORT

Ticketless travel in buses Rs. 500
Failure to produce Drivers Badge in public
Transport
Rs. 100
Failure to wear uniform Rs. 100
Smoking or chewing any intoxicating drug or
drink
Rs. 100
Replenishing fuel tank with passengers on
board
Rs. 100
Overloading of passengers or luggage Rs. 500 – Rs.3000
as the case maybe
Non-adherence to time schedule Rs. 100
Failure to maintain trip sheet Rs.100
Violating taxi stand rules Rs.100
Usage of multi toned horn affecting noise Standards Rs.300
Failure to fit taximeter Rs. 100
Failure to set taximeter in operation on trips Rs.100
Carrying persons in excess of seating capacity in goods carriage Rs. 100 for first offence
Rs.300 for subsequent offences
Demanding excess fare by taxi/auto
rickshaw

Rs. 100 for first
offence
Rs.300 for subsequent
offences
Carrying animals without providing
sufficient space
Rs. 100
Uncivil behavior towards passengers Rs.100
Absence of first-aid box Rs.100
Destination board not exhibited/illuminated Rs. 100
Exhibiting advertisements without sanction Rs.100
Failure to accept tendered fare Rs.500
Issue invalid ticket Rs.500

The basic traffic rules apply to all two-wheelers also. In addition to this, two-wheeler riders should compulsorily wear helmets.

In many states it is stipulated that pillion riders too should wear helmets. Rear view mirrors and indicators are to be used. Pillion riders should not exceed more than one.

Owner of the vehicles driven by juveniles will be held responsible for the offence committed unless they prove that it was without their knowledge or they tried to prevent it.

Read Also: 5 Must-know Unwritten Road Safety Rules on Indian Roads

The registration of the vehicle driven will be cancelled. The juvenile will be tried under the Juvenile Justice Act.

Penalties and fines have been instituted to educate the general public on the do’s and don’ts while driving.

Strict adherence to these rules will help the traffic department to streamline operations reducing risks for drivers, passengers and pedestrians.