Driving your vehicle is an exhilarating experience, but traffic fines aren’t! Sometimes it is a genuine mistake whereas most Indian motorists are seen to flout traffic norms. These unheeding drivers need to be penalized in some or other way.
Since 1st September 2019, the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019 has slapped higher penalties for traffic offenders. Since these fines have been increased by manifolds, you must take cognizance and improve your driving habits too.
What should you know about amended traffic fines?
The updated traffic fines apply to all types of vehicles, two-wheelers, four-wheelers, buses, and trucks. Stringent penalties are imposed, and you must make a note about them. These stringent fines will be a deterrent for traffic offenders and encourage safe driving practices. Further, these fines will make the roads safer for both, vehicles and pedestrians, as it discourages reckless and negligent driving habits. Also, another progressive move is digitizing the process of a fine collection. It will minimize bribery and improve the transparency of the process.
While these fines are not only for negligent and reckless driving/riding but for non-compliance with the law too. The law requires all vehicles registered in India to have a valid copy of the motor insurance policy.
Let us look at the updated list of fines:
| Type of Offence | New fine/penalty w.e.f 1st September, 2019 | Old fine/penalty |
| Driving/riding without a valid copy of the driving license | ₹5,000 and/or community service | ₹500 |
| Driving/riding under the influence of alcohol or an intoxicating substance | ₹10,000 and/or 6 months of prison
₹15,000 and/or 2 years of jail for the repetitive violations. |
₹2,000 |
| Fine for overspeeding | LMV ₹1,000- ₹2,000
MPV/HPV: ₹2,000- ₹4,000 (+ seizure of licence) |
₹400 |
| Driving without a seat belt | ₹1,000 and/or community service | ₹100 |
| Driving/riding without a motor insurance policy | ₹2,000 and/or 3-months prison, community service
₹4,000 for a subsequent offense |
₹1,000 |
| Violating road regulations | ₹500- ₹1000 | ₹100 |
| Rash or dangerous driving/riding and jumping traffic signals | ₹1,000- ₹5,000 and/or 6-months to 1 year in prison, seizure of license. | ₹100 – ₹300 |
| Using mobile (handheld) while driving/riding | ₹5,000 | ₹1,000 |
| Speeding or racing | ₹5,000 and/or 3-months prison, community service
₹10,000 for subsequent violation and up to 1 year in jail, community service |
₹500 |
| Obstructing emergency vehicles like ambulances, fire engines, etc. | ₹10,000 and/or community service | ₹500 |
| Riding without a helmet (rider and pillion rider) | ₹1000, and or license disqualification, community service for 3-months | ₹100 |
| Overloading two-wheelers | ₹2,000 and license disqualification and/or 3-months of community service | ₹100 |
| Offenses by juvenile individuals | ₹25,000 with 3-years prison, cancellation of registration for 1-year, and ineligibility of juvenile for license till 25 years of age. | – |
| Driving/riding despite disqualification | ₹10,000, and/or community service | ₹500 |
| Plying excess passengers than the vehicle capacity | ₹200 for every extra passenger and/or community service | – |
| Offenses committed by enforcing authorities like offering bribe | Twice the amount of penalty (it varies according to traffic rule violated) | – |
| Unauthorized use of vehicles without license | ₹1,000- ₹5,000 | ₹1,000 |
| Disobeying the orders of authorities | ₹2,000 | ₹500 |
| Driving a vehicle without a permit | ₹10,000 and/or up-to 6-months prison, community service | Up to ₹5,000 |
| Oversized vehicles | ₹5,000 to ₹10,000 and/or community service | – |
| Overloading | ₹20,000 + ₹2,000 for every extra tonne and/or community service | ₹2,000 + ₹1,000 for every extra tonne |
| Driving/riding without a registration certificate | ₹5,000
₹10,000 for a subsequent offence |
– |
| Using a horn in a silent zone | ₹2,000
₹4,000 for a subsequent offense |
– |
The above-mentioned fines can be avoided by obeying traffic laws. But what about document related penalties? These penalties can be avoided by being informed about the compliance formalities. Similarly, buying two-wheeler/car insurance online will not only help to prevent those hefty penalties but also ensure a financial safety net for your vehicle while saving time and offering convenience. While comparing the various motor insurance policies, a motor insurance calculator can come in handy. Make the best use of the online services and tools and never miss a renewal date so you can comply with all regulatory documents to drive/ride a vehicle.
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