The Rules of the Road Regulations, 1989 that serves as a guide for driving in India lists down a set of traffic rules and regulations that have to be followed while driving a motor vehicle in India. The rules listed are applicable on two-wheeler, three-wheeler, four-wheeler drivers including bus and truck drivers. Not following these rules is a serious offence and is punishable under relevant sections of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. On breaking the rules, citizens can be either asked to pay fine or face imprisonment. Since breaking rules in India can lead to accident or even death in certain cases, it is important for the driver to follow the traffic rules and regulations while driving his motor vehicle on Indian roads.
It is important for an indiviudal to carry a certain set of documents while driving a motor vehicle in the country as not doing so can attract the below fines:
| No. | Offences | Penalty/ Sentence | Section |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Driving without carrying a Valid Driving License | INR 5000** and/ or imprisonment for up to 3 months | 3 r/w 181 Motor Vehicle Act |
| 2 | Permitting your vehicle to be driven by an individual who does not hold a Valid Driving License. | INR 5000** and/ or imprisonment for up to 3 months | 5 r/w 180 Motor Vehicle Act |
| 3 | Not carrying the required documents as specified in Motor Vehicle Act while driving. | INR 500** | 130(3) r/w 177 Motor Vehicle Act |
| 4 | Driving without a Valid Auto Insurance | INR 2000 ** and/ or imprisonment for up to 3 months | 130 r/w 177 Motor Vehicle Act |
| Driving without a Valid Permit | Up to INR 5000 and no less than INR 2000 | 130 r/w 177 Motor Vehicle Act | |
| Driving without Valid Vehicle Fitness Certificate | Up to INR 5000 and no less than INR 2000 | 130 r/w 177 Motor Vehicle Act | |
| Vehicle without RC Book (Registration Certificate) | INR 2000 | 39 r/w 192 Motor Vehicle Act |
| OFFENCES | MAXIMUM PENALTY | SECTION | OFFENCES | MAXIMUM PENALTY | SECTION |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Driving by Minor (an indiviudal aged below 18 years) | Rs. 500/- | 4 r/w 181 MVA | Rough/Rash/Negligent Driving | Rs. 1000/- | 184 MVA |
| Driving without Helmet | Rs. 100/- | 129 r/w177 MVA | Dangerous or hasty Driving | Rs.1000/- and/or imprisonment ( 6 months) | 112-183 MVA |
| Driving without fastening the seat belts | Rs. 100/- | 138(3) CMVR | Not Driving in Proper Lane | Court Challan | 66 r/w 192 MVA |
| Driving in the center and not to left side | Rs.100/- | 2 RRR r/w 177 MVA | Driving against One Way | Rs.100/- | 17 (i) RRR 177 MVA |
| Reversing without due care and attention | Rs.100/- | MMVR 233 177 MVA | Taking “U” turn during outlawed hours | Rs.100/- | 12 RRR 177 MVA |
| Failing to take precaution while taking a “Turn” | Rs.100/- | 3 RRR 177 MVA | Failing to decelerate at intersection | Rs.100/- | 8 RRR 177 MVA |
| Failing to carry on left of traffic island | Rs.100/- | 2 RRR 177 MVA | Carrying persons on Footboard | Rs.100/- | 123-177 MVA |
| Carrying persons causing hindrance to the driver | Rs.100/- | 125-177 MVA | Trippling. | Rs. 100/- | 128/177 MVA |
| Driving on Footpath | Rs.100/- | RRR 177 MVA | Stopping at pedestrian crossing or crossing a Stop Line. | Rs.100/- | RRR 177 MVA |
Road Marking Related Offences |
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| Violation of Yellow Line | Rs. 100/- | 119/177 MVA | Violation of Stop Line | Rs. 100/- | 113(1)/177 DMVR |
| Violation of Mandatory Signs | Rs. 100/- | 119/177 MVA | |||
Number Plate Related Offences |
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| Use of Offensive Number Plate for vehicle used in driving | Rs.100/- | CMVR 105 (2) (ii) 177 MVA | Displaying 'Applied For' | Rs. 4500/- | 39/192 MVA |
Vehicle Light Related Offences |
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| Improper use of headlights/tail light for vehicle used in driving | Rs. 100/- | CMVR 105 (2) (ii) 177 MVA | Using High Beam where not required | Rs. 100/- | 112(G) A DMVR 177 MVA |
Traffic Police Related Offences |
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| Disobeying Traffic Police Officer in uniform | Rs. 100/- | 119 MVA 22(a) RRR 177 MVA | Driving against Police Signal | Rs. 100/- | 119 r/w 177 MVA |
Speed and Overtake Related Offences |
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| Exceeding the prescribed Speed Limits | Up to Rs.1000/- | 112-183 MVA | Abetment for Over Speeding | Rs.300/- | 112/183(2) MVA |
| Overtaking perilously | Rs.100/- | 6 (a) RRR r/w 177 MVA | Failing to confer way to sanction Overtaking | Rs.100/- | 7 RRR 177 MVA |
| Overtaking from Wrong Side | Rs. 100/- | RRR 6/1/177 MVA | |||
Other Offences |
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| Disobeying Lawful Directions | Rs. 500/- | 132/179 MVA | Driving under influence of Alcohol / Drugs | Rs.2000/- and/or imprisonment ( 6 months) | 185 MVA |
| Using Mobile Phone while Driving | Up to 1000/- | 184 MVA | Leaving vehicle in unoccupied engine | Rs.100/- | 126-177 MVA |
| Leaving vehicle in unsafe position | Rs.100/- | 122 177 MVA | In case of a minor Accident | Rs. 1000/- | 184 MVA |
| Playing music while Driving | Rs. 100/- | 102/177 MVA | Driving without Silencer | Rs. 100/- | 120/190(2)/177CMVR |
| Driving when mentally or physically unfit | Court Challan | 186 MVA | |||
| Offences | MAXIMUM PENALTY | SECTION |
|---|---|---|
| Smoking in Public Transport | Rs. 100/- | 86(1)(5)/177 DMVR |
| Fixing multi-toned/shrill horn | Rs. 100/- | 99(1)(a)/177 DMVR |
| Fixing multi-toned/shrill horn | Rs.500/- | 119 CMVR 190(2) MVA |
| Blowing Pressure Horn | Rs. 100/- | 96(1)/177 DMVR |
| Silencer/muffler making noise | Rs.500/- | CMVR 120 190(2) MVA |
| Smoky Exhaust | Rs.500/- | 115 CMVR 190(2) MVA |
| Using horn in Silence Zone | Rs.100/- | 21(ii) RRR 177 MVA |
| OFFENCES | MAXIMUM PENALTY | RTO Locations | OFFENCES | MAXIMUM PENALTY | SECTION |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Using Vehicle in Unsafe Conditions | Court Challan | 192 MVA | Without Wiper | Rs.100/- | 84(G)-177 MVA |
| When motor vehicle is out of state for more than 12 months | Rs.100/- | 47-177 MVA | Without Side Mirror | Rs.100/- | CMVR 101 5,12 177 MVA |
| Without Side Mirror | Rs.100/- | 5, 7/177 MVA | No indication board on left hand drive vehicle | Rs.100/- | 120, 177 MVA |
| Defective tyres | Rs.100/- | CMVR 94 | Sale of motor vehicle/alteration of motor vehicle in contravention of Act | Rs.300/- | 52/191 MVA, 32/192.66/192 MV Act |
| Vehicles fitted with dark glasses/sun films. | Rs.100/- | 120, 177 MVA | Any sort of misconduct with passengers, not wearing uniform/not displaying badge | Rs.100/- | MMVR 21(18) 177 MVA |
| Driving without proper number plate/ illuminating rear number plate. | Rs.100/- | 52/191 MVA, 32/192.66/192 MV Act | Overloading a goods vehicle | Rs. 2000/-plus Rs. 1000/- for every additional ton. | MMVR 93(u)(i) 177 MVA |
| Failing to display public carrier board. | Rs.100/- | 100 CMVR 177 MVA | Carrying goods in a dangerous or hazardous manner | Imprisonment and/or fine of Rs. 3000/- | 29 RRR 177 MVA |
| Using private vehicle for commercial purposes. | Rs. 5000/- ( not less than Rs. 2000/-) | - | Infringement of permit conditions. | Imprisonment and/or fine of Rs. 5000/-( not less than Rs. 2000/-) | - |
| OFFENCES | MAXIMUM PENALTY | SECTION | OFFENCES | MAXIMUM PENALTY | SECTION |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plying in 'NO ENTRY' Time | Up to 2000/- | 115/194 MVA | Dangerous projection of goods | Rs.100/- | 229 MMVR 29 RRR 177 MVA |
| Violation of Time Table | Court Challan | 11/177, 2/177, 66/192 MVA | Carrying goods unsecured | Rs.100/- | MMVR 202 177 MVA |
| High and Long / Load in Vehicles | Rs. 100/- | 29 RRR/177 MVA | Carrying goods more than 11 feet high | Rs.100/- | MMVR 93(u) (i) 177 MVA |
| Carrying animals in goods vehicles in contravention of rules. | Rs.100/- | MMVR 83 177 MVA | Driver refuses to weigh vehicle | Court Challan | 114/194(2) MVA |
| Carrying persons dangerously or carrying persons in goods vehicles | Rs.100/- | MMVR 108 177 MVA | Limit Of weight and limitation on Use | Court Challan | 113/194(1) MVA |
| Goods in Passenger Vehicles | Rs.100/- | - | Misbehavior by Taxi/TSR Driver | Rs. 100/- | 11(3)/177 DMVR | Over Charging by Taxi/TSR Driver | Rs. 100/- | 11(8)/177 DMVR | Conductor without Badge | Rs. 100/- | 22(1)/177 DMVR |
| Charging without Meter | Rs. 100/- | 11(8)/177 DMVR | Stopping without Bus stop | Court Challan | 66/192 MVA |
| Refusal by Taxi/TSR Driver. | Rs. 100/- | 11(9)/177 DMVR | Power to detain Vehicle used in contravention of section 3.4,39 or 66(1) MV Act | Rs. 100/- | 207(1) MVA |
| Driver without Uniform | Rs. 100/- | 7/177 DMVR | Conductor without Uniform | Rs. 100/- | 23(1)/177 DMVR |
| Driver without Badge | Rs. 100/- | 22(1)/177 DMVR |
| OFFENCES | MAXIMUM PENALTY | SECTION | OFFENCES | MAXIMUM PENALTY | SECTION |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Parking in the direction of flow of traffic | 22(a) RRR 177 MVA | Parking in not any prescribed manner | 15(1) RRR 177 MVA | Parking in “No” Parking Area | 15(2) RRR 177 MVA |
| Parking away from footpath towards road | 15(2) RRR 177 MVA | Parking at any Corner | 15(i) RRR 177 MVA | Parked on Pedestrian Crossing | 15(2)(iii) RRR 177 MVA |
| Parking against flow of traffic | 15(2) RRR 177 MVA | Parking within 15 meters on either side of Bus Stop | 15(2) RRR 177 MVA | Parking on Footpath | 15(2)(ii) RRR 177 MVA |
| Parking causing Obstruction | 15(2) RRR 177 MVA | Parking on Bridge | 15(2) (i) RRR 177 MVA | Parking in front of a gate | 15(2)(viii) RRR 177 MVA |
| Parking on a Taxi Stand | 15(2) RRR 177 MVA | Parking at Traffic Island | 15(i) RRR 177 MVA | Parking causing obstruction | 15(1) RRR 177 MVA |
| Alcohol Level | Penalty |
|---|---|
| 30 to 60 mg | Fine of Rs. 2000 or/and 6 months of imprisonment |
| 60 to 150 mg | 1 year of imprisonment and/or a fine of Rs.4000. Repeated offence leads to 3 years of imprisonment and/or a fine of Rs.8000. |
| 150 mg or above | One-time offender is charged Rs. 5000 along with 2 years of imprisonment. If the offence is repeated within 3 years the punishment is Rs.10000 fine plus 4 years of imprisonment. |
Note: The Traffic fine may differ from state to state.
Table content reference: indiandrivingschools.com
Is bribing a traffic police officer a crime in India?
Yes, bribing a traffic police officer is a crime in India and can land you in great trouble if you ever try doing so.
Is the traffic violation penalty same in all the states in India?
No, the traffic violation penalty is not same in all states of India and varies from state to city RTO.
What to do when I am caught breaking a traffic rule?
If a traffic police personnel catches you breaking the traffic rule, then a challan will be issued under your name and you will be asked to pay the applicable penalty or face imprisonment for the same, or both.
What is a traffic challan?
A challan is a piece of paper that is issued to a driver on breaking traffic rules in India.
