New Traffic Rules & Fines India: Without Licence Fine, RTO Fines & More

Increased RTO fines have made everyone more cautious, as the government implemented new traffic rules to enhance road safety with the Motor Vehicles Amendment taking effect on September 1, 2019. 

Violations like drunk driving, not giving way to emergency vehicles, driving without a license, using a phone while driving, and lacking valid insurance now come with significantly higher penalties. It's important to be aware of these changes to avoid hefty fines.

Traffic Fines for Different Traffic Violations in India

Traffic fines for different traffic violations in India vary according to the severity of the offense. Common violations include speeding, not wearing a seatbelt, running a red light, and talking on the phone while driving. Fines can range from a few hundred rupees to several thousand, with repeat offenders facing steeper penalties.

• Driving without a Driver’s License: The fine for driving without a valid Driver’s License has been increased to Rs. 5000 from the previous Rs. 500.

• Exceeding Speed Limit: Speeding can be dangerous, and the fine for this offense is now set at Rs. 4000, depending on the type of vehicle.

• Rash Driving: Reckless driving can lead to accidents, and the penalty for this is 1-year imprisonment or a fine ranging from Rs. 1,000 to Rs. 5,000 for the first offense, and up to 2 years imprisonment or Rs. 10,000 for subsequent offenses.

• Drunk Driving: Driving while intoxicated can result in serious accidents, and the penalty for this violation has been increased to Rs. 10,000.

• Overloading of Pillion Riders: Overloading a bike can be risky and the fine for this offense is now set at Rs. 20,000, along with a 3-month suspension of the Driver’s License.

• Non-compliance with Traffic Laws: Failing to follow instructions from authorities can result in fines ranging from Rs. 500 to Rs. 2,000.

• Driving an Uninsured Vehicle: It is mandatory to insure your vehicle, and failure to do so can lead to a fine of Rs. 1000 or imprisonment for up to 3 months, or Rs. 2000 and/or imprisonment for up to 3 months for repeat offenses.

• Penalties for Juvenile Offenders: If a juvenile breaks traffic rules, their parent or guardian will be held responsible, with a 3-year imprisonment and a fine of Rs. 25,000. The RC will also be canceled for 1 year, and the juvenile will not be able to obtain a learner’s license until they are 25 years old.

• Not Wearing a Helmet: The fine for not wearing a helmet while riding a bike is Rs. 1000 and a 3-month suspension of the license.

• Using a Phone while Driving: Those caught using a phone while driving will be fined between Rs. 1,000 and Rs. 5,000.

• Failure to Give Way to Ambulances: Drivers who do not give way to ambulances on the road will be fined Rs. 10,000.

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Comparison of Traffic Fines 

From September 1st, 2019, the following is the comprehensive list of fines that will be enforced for violating various traffic rules:

List of States that Have Implemented New Traffic Fines

After the 2019 update, only a limited number of states had fully implemented the new traffic fines. However, various states have since embraced the changes. The following states now comply with the update:

• Andaman and Nicobar Islands

• Andhra Pradesh

• Arunachal Pradesh

• Assam

• Bihar

• Chandigarh

• Dadra and Nagar Haveli

• Daman and Diu

• Delhi

• Goa

• Haryana

• Himachal Pradesh

• Jammu and Kashmir

• Jharkhand

• Karnataka

• Ladakh

• Lakshadweep

• Manipur

• Meghalaya

• Mizoram

• Nagaland

• Sikkim

• Tamil Nadu

• Tripura

• Uttar Pradesh

• Uttarakhand

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States Which Implemented the New Traffic Fines But Later Revised 

As of March 2024, only two states have implemented the new traffic fines under the 2019 Motor Vehicles Act (MVA) amendment but later revised them:

• Gujarat: The state initially implemented the new fines but reduced them by 25% to 90% just nine days later, citing "humanitarian and compassionate" reasons.

• Uttarakhand: Following Gujarat's lead, Uttarakhand also reduced its new traffic fines implemented under the MVA amendment.

Several other states initially showed hesitation concerning the high fines and either:

• Deferred implementation: States like West Bengal, Delhi, and Rajasthan temporarily put implementation on hold while evaluating the situation and potentially seeking revisions.

• Completely rejected: Some states, like Kerala and Karnataka, never fully implemented the new fines from the 2019 MVA amendment.

States Which Implemented the Traffic Fines But Later Put Them on Hold

Based on available information as of March 2024, only one state, Telangana, has chosen to put the implementation of new traffic fines on hold.

• Telangana: The state government decided not to implement the revised traffic fines as per the 2019 Motor Vehicles Act amendment.

Tips to Avoid Traffic Violations and Fines

Here are some of the tips to avoid traffic violations, and fines for car owners, drivers, two-wheeler owners, and riders.

For Car Owners & Drivers

• Ensure both you and the individual in the front passenger seat consistently wear seatbelts.

• Always carry your driver's license with you; if you only possess a learner's license, ensure someone with a valid license accompanies you in the passenger seat.

• Adhere to speed limits and avoid reckless driving in town. Leave high-speed maneuvers for professional stunt performers and movie scenes.

• Give way to emergency vehicles such as ambulances, fire engines, and police cars.

• While a digital copy may suffice, it is advisable to have a physical copy of your car insurance on the dashboard. Regularly check the policy expiration date and renew it at least one to two days before it expires to avoid any inconvenient situations.

• If you have not obtained car insurance or need to renew an existing policy, do so before it expires.

• Avoid attempting to bribe police officers, as this is now a punishable offense with a substantial fine according to the latest amendment.

• Never drive under the influence of alcohol, even with minimal consumption. It is safer to arrange for a ride from a friend or take a cab.

For Two-Wheeler Owners & Riders

• Always ensure both you and your pillion rider wear helmets at all times.

• If you only possess a learner's license, ensure that someone with a valid two-wheeler license is seated behind you.

• Avoid riding in the wrong lane and adhere to road regulations, such as staying within your speed limit. Leave high-risk maneuvers for professional stunt performers in action movies.

• Give priority to emergency vehicles like ambulances, fire engines, and police cars.

• While a digital copy may be acceptable, it's advisable to carry a physical copy of your two-wheeler insurance. Additionally, regularly check the expiry date of your two-wheeler policy and renew it at least one to two days before it lapses to avoid any inconvenient situations.

• If you haven't purchased two-wheeler insurance or haven't renewed your existing policy, make sure to do so before it expires.

• Avoid attempting to bribe police officers, as this is now a punishable offense with a substantial fine under the new amendment.

• Never ride under the influence of alcohol, even with minimal consumption. It's safer to arrange for a ride from a friend or take a cab instead.

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Conclusion

In conclusion, the new traffic rules and fines in India serve as a necessary deterrent to curb dangerous driving practices and promote road safety. The implementation of fines for driving without a license, RTO fines, and other violations will hopefully encourage drivers to follow traffic laws and reduce the number of accidents on Indian roads.