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.