Road Safety is a serious concern since almost 546 individuals die in road accidents every day in India. In India, the primary law regulating the operation of motor vehicles is the Motor Vehicles Act 1988, which sets forth the rules for how you can obtain a driver’s licence, register your vehicle, or be compensated through an insurance policy. Plus, it constitutes a violation of traffic laws and roadway safety.
So, read the guide to know the new fines under the Motor Vehicles Act, road rules, licenses, and e-challans. Remember, knowing these laws while driving your vehicle or if you are going to rent yourself a car for a trip, will allow you to drive more safely, avoid penalties, and have a better experience on your travels.
What Is the Motor Vehicles Act and Why Does It Matter for Every Indian Driver?
India’s Motor Vehicles Act provides a stable and sensible structure for all roads and automobiles in India. The Act, passed in 1988, now serves as the basis of law regarding motor vehicle use. It also helps ensure the safe operation of motor vehicles on the roads and clearly outlines the responsibilities of drivers, vehicle owners, and transport authorities.
The Motor Vehicles Act covers the following topics:
The Motor Vehicles Act guides average drivers through the legalities of driving every day. It tells the driver what documents to carry with him/her, what rules to follow while driving, and any penalties that may be incurred for breaking the rules.
In 2019, the Government introduced the Motor Vehicles Act 2019 to address the growing concerns regarding road safety issues. The Amendment provides stricter enforcement and increased penalties for traffic violations. It offers several reforms relating to reducing the number of accidents and increasing compliance with traffic regulations.
After the Motor Vehicles Act 2019, it introduced some changes in the law for India’s road transport.
| Offence | Old Fine (Pre-2019) | New Fine (Post-2019) |
|---|---|---|
| No Helmet | ₹100 | ₹1,000 + licence suspension |
| No Seatbelt | ₹100 | ₹1,000 |
| Drunk Driving | ₹2,000 | ₹10,000 |
| Overspeeding | ₹400 | ₹1,000–₹2,000 |
| Red-Light Jumping | ₹100–₹500 | ₹1,000–₹5,000 |
| No Insurance | ₹1,000 | ₹2,000 |
| No Driving Licence | ₹500 | ₹5,000 |
| Using Mobile While Driving | ₹1,000 | Up to ₹5,000 |
| Triple Riding | ₹100 | ₹1,000 |
| No PUC Certificate | ₹1,000 | Up to ₹10,000 |
Important: The traffic licence amount may differ from state to state depending on how each state implements and notifies of the amount. There are also extra punishments for repeat offenders in some states.
The eligibility under the Driving Licence rules in India is based on the type of vehicle in which the driver is travelling.
| Licence Type | Minimum Age |
|---|---|
| Gearless Two-Wheeler (up to 50cc) | 16 years |
| Geared Two-Wheeler and Cars | 18 years |
| Commercial Vehicles | 20 years |
The duration of the majority of private driving licences is 20 years or until the driver achieves a certain age, whichever is reached first.
However, driving without a licence is a criminal offence, which carries a penalty. The traffic rules in India demand a fine of ₹5,000 for driving without a licence.
Documents verified by traffic authorities through digital copies stored in DigiLocker and mParivahan are generally acceptable, making document verification more convenient.
The speed limits are different for the various types of vehicles, categories of roads and local regulations.
| Vehicle Type | Expressway | National Highway | City Road | Residential Area |
| Cars | Up to 120 km/h | 80–100 km/h | 40–70 km/h | 20–40 km/h |
| Two-Wheelers | Up to 80 km/h | Up to 80 km/h | 40–60 km/h | 20–40 km/h |
| Buses | 80–100 km/h | 60–80 km/h | 40–60 km/h | 20–40 km/h |
| Trucks | 80 km/h | 60–80 km/h | 40–50 km/h | 20–40 km/h |
Speed limits need to be lower in:
There are modern speed cameras for the police to measure the speed. Plus, there are automated systems that help them see a violation so that they generate a challan electronically.
All drivers must have the following documents on hand:
Inspections will accept a physical copy or an approved digital copy.
Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) applies to the Motor Vehicles Act, and a driver is legally intoxicated if the BAC is over 30 mg of alcohol per 100 ml of blood.
Breathalyser testing is carried out regularly by the traffic police, especially at night, on weekends and on the main highways.
So, the only safe option if you’ve been drinking or on drugs is to not drive. Take a designated driver, public transport or a taxi.
e-Challan System through the mParivahan Portal has made the process of fine management of traffic faster and transparent for the owners of the vehicles.
The initial step is to visit the mParivahan website. The portal serves as a one-stop solution, enabling drivers to access their outstanding challans.
Search for pending challans by using the vehicle registration number, driving licence number or challan number. After entering the details, the system will show all the outstanding challans.
The portal allows you to review complete information about each traffic violation. This can be the date, time, place of the offence, the type of offence, how much the fine was for and photographic evidence from enforcement cameras, if available.
After reading the details of the violation, you can pay the challan directly from the portal using UPI or any other method. The number of digital payments for traffic challans to be made has increased by around 35% year-on-year, reflecting the shift of drivers towards quick, secure and cashless payment options.
Failure to pay overdue challans may cause issues other than outstanding fines. If a driver receives unpaid challans, it can cause problems during their driving licence renewal, registration of vehicles or their ownership transfer.
Authorities can send notices or take further legal action against offenders who repeat the offence. By checking your traffic challan online on a regular basis, you can make sure that your traffic challan records are kept clear and up to date.
Here is a list of a few simple road safety rules in India:
Following these guidelines on an ongoing basis can help to reduce the likelihood of accidents and make roads safer for everyone who uses them.
There are tougher penalties in the law for serious and repeated offences.
Repeated offences may face an even more severe penalty in terms of higher fines and longer licence suspensions.
In the case of a minor offending a road offence:
Overloaded commercial vehicles may be penalised for carrying excess load with an additional charge depending on the excess weight, which may be as high as ₹20,000.
Unauthorised racing may lead to:
Repeat traffic violations, drunk driving and dangerous driving can result in imprisonment and licence suspension.
A key addition to the Motor Vehicles Act 2019 is that of protection for Good Samaritans. A Good Samaritan is someone who willingly assists someone involved in an accident in an emergency situation. The legislation ensures that such people:
In addition, the amendment will assist individuals in undergoing treatment during the first “golden hour” after suffering from a serious injury, which is a critical time when being treated quickly allows for the possibility of saving lives.
Also, keep in mind that safe driving means more than simply following the rules as set forth by Revv. Being a responsible driver means you can support other drivers and keep your roadways safe.
The Motor Vehicles Act is more than just a set of traffic laws, it is an important part of making roads safer to travel. Understanding the rules associated with licensing, traffic fines, safety on the roadway, and the e-challan system will help prevent you from incurring any type of penalty while protecting yourself and everyone else. Therefore, it is best to stay well-informed to travel safely and legally, whether you are travelling daily or planning for a long trip.
Looking for the next big road trip? Let Revv take complete control of the highways.
The Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, is the main legislation of India that covers all aspects of registration, licensing, insurance, traffic-related laws, road safety and penalties related to traffic violations.
The Motor Vehicles Act 2019 enacted greater penalties, electronic enforcement, Good Samaritan protection, increased licensing requirements, assistance for the injured and penalties for harsh driving.
In case of a first offence, the penalties for drunk driving can be up to a ₹10,000 fine. For repeat offenders, fines will increase, and the punishment will be harsher.
For a quick traffic challan online check, you can visit the Parivahan e-Challan portal and search by vehicle number, driving licence number or challan number.
Yes. The digital copies in DigiLocker or mParivahan are generally recognised by traffic enforcement officers during inspection.
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