Revised Traffic Violation Fines - effective 1st Sept-2019
Traffic penalties and fines makes everyone wary and that’s probably why they’re even introduced in the first place. Effective since the 1st of September-2019 and with the aim of enhancing road safety, the Motor Vehicles Amendment comes with new fines and traffic violation penalties you should be cautious of, as most of these fines have been increased by a large margin! Especially for violations such as drunk driving, not giving way to emergency vehicles like ambulances and fire engines, driving without licence, driving while speaking on the phone, and driving without a valid insurance amongst other traffic violations. Let’s take a look at all the violations and the revised fines for the same:
Updated List of Penalties for Traffic Violations in India
Violation
New Penalty from 1st Sept-2019
Old Penalty
Driving/Riding without Licence
₹5,000 and/or community service
₹500
Driving/Riding Under the Influence of an Intoxicating Substance
₹10,000 and/or 6 months prison | ₹15,000 and/or 2 years jail for repetitive violation.
₹2,000
Overspeeding
LMV: ₹1,000- ₹2,000 MPV/HPV: ₹2,000- ₹4,000 (+ licence seizure)
₹400
Driving without Seat Belt
₹1,000 and/or community service
₹100
Driving/Riding without Insurance
₹2,000 and/or 3-months prison, community service | ₹4,000 for subsequent offence
₹1,000
Violating Road Regulations
₹500- ₹1000
₹100
Dangerous Driving/Riding and Jumping Red Light
₹1,000- ₹5,000 and/or 6-months to 1 year in prison, licence seizure
₹1,000
Driving/Riding While on the Mobile (Handheld)
₹5,000
₹1,000
Speeding, Racing
₹5,000 and/or 3-months prison, community service | ₹10,000 for subsequent violation and up to 1 year in prison, community service
₹500
Not Giving Way to Emergency Vehicles like
Ambulances, Fire Engines, etc.
₹10,000 and/or community service
₹500
Riding without Helmet (rider and pillion rider)
₹1000, and or licence disqualification, community service for 3-months
₹100
Overloading Two-Wheelers
₹2,000 and licence disqualification and/or 3-months of community service
₹100
Juvenile Offences
₹25,000 with 3-years prison, cancellation of registration for 1-year, juvenile ineligible for licence until 25 years of age.
-
Driving/Riding Despite Disqualification
₹10,000, and/or community service
₹500
Overboarding Passengers
₹200 for every extra passenger and/or community service
-
Driving/Riding without Ticket
₹500
₹200
Offence Commited by Enforcing Authorities Such
as Offering Bribes
Twice the penalty (varies according to traffic rules violated)
-
Unauthorized Use of Vehicles Without Licence
₹1,000- ₹5,000
₹1,000
Disobedience of Orders of the Authorities
₹2,000
₹500
Vehicles without 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 Licence (for
Aggregators)
₹25,000 to ₹1,00,000
-
Driving/Riding without Registration
₹5,000 | ₹10,000 for subsequent offence
-
Using Horn in Silent Zone
₹2,000 | ₹4,000 for subsequent offence
-
When and how are these traffic fines paid out?
Since these fines have just been introduced, currently you do have to visit the court to pay for your challan. However, once all states are notified of all norms. With due time, some violations would need a court visit while some of them would be required to be paid on-spot. Following is a quick table to help you figure it out.
|
Pay Fine On-Spot |
Visit Court and Pay Fine |
|
Driving/Riding without licence |
Jumping Traffic Light |
|
Driving/Riding without insurance |
Driving against flow of traffic |
|
Over speeding |
Drunk Driving |
|
Driving without seatbelt |
Juvenile Driving |
|
Violating road regulations |
- |
|
Using horn in silent zone |
- |
|
Driving without registration |
- |
|
Overloading |
- |
|
Oversized Vehicles |
- |
|
Vehicles without permit |
- |
|
Disobedience of orders of authorities |
- |
|
Unauthorized use of vehicles without licence |
- |
|
Riding without helmet |
- |
|
Not giving way to emergency vehicles |
- |
|
Speeding/Racing |
- |
|
Driving while talking on the phone (handheld) |
- |
Tips to avoid the Traffic Violations and Fines
For Car Owners & Drivers
- Ensure you and the person on your front passenger seat are always wearing your seatbelt.
- Ensure you’re always carrying your driver’s license with you. If you only have a learner’s license, ensure someone with a valid license is seated with you in the passenger seat.
- Always stay within your speed limit and don’t get too filmy, racing around in town. Leave that for the stuntmen and movies.
- Always make way for emergency vehicles such as ambulances, fire engines and police cars.
- Even though a soft copy can suffice, it’s always better to carry a physical copy of your car insurance in your dashboard. Additionally, always check your car policy expiry date and make sure you renew it maximum, one to two days before its expiry. You don’t want to be stuck in any tricky situations!
- If you haven’t yet brought your car insurance or are yet to renew your existing car insurance policy. renew it before it expires.
- Never try to bribe police officers. That’s a crime in itself as per the new amendment, you can’t get away with it as there’s now a hefty fine to pay for the same!
- Never drive drunk, even if you’ve consumed only a bit of alcohol. It’s better to get dropped by a friend or cab instead.
For Two-Wheeler Owners & Riders
- Always ensure you and your pillion rider always have a helmet on.
- If you only have a learner’s licence. At least make sure someone with a valid two-wheeler licence is seated behind you.
- Avoid riding in the wrong lane and follow road regulations such as never go over your speed limit. Leave that for the stuntmen in the action movies.
- Always make way for emergency vehicles such as ambulances, fire engines and police cars.
- Even though a soft copy can suffice, it’s always better to carry a physical copy of your two-wheeler insurance. Additionally, always check your two-wheeler policy expiry date and make sure you renew it maximum, one to two days before its expiry. You don’t want to be stuck in any tricky situations!
- If you haven’t bought two-wheeler insurance yet or you haven’t renewed your existing two-wheeler insurance policy, renew it before it expires.
- Never try to bribe police officers. That’s a crime in itself as per the new amendment, you can’t get away with it as there’s now a hefty fine to pay for the same!
- Never ride drunk, even if you’ve consumed only a bit of alcohol. It’s better to get dropped by a friend or cab instead.
