Traffic Offences related and Penalties in India

The Indian Road rules, titled "Rules of the Road Regulation", were brought
into effect since July, 1989. These rules are germane to the Indian drivers (all
inclusive of two, three and four wheelers), while on the road to ensure an orderly
traffic and a safer journey. Violation of these "Rules of Road Regulation"
is a punishable transgression as per the city specific traffic police rules and the "
Motor Vehicle Act".
Enforcement of these traffic laws - rules, regulations and acts can bear out
the road accidents. These laws are enforced by issuing challans in the name of the
offenders and teaching them a lesson by making them pay penalties. An indicative
list of the possible offences and their respective penalties is formulated below:

1. OFFENCES RELATED TO DOCUMENTS

MAXIMUM
S.No OFFENCES SECTION
PENALTY
Rs. 500/- and /or
1.1 Driving without a Valid License imprisonment ( 3 3 or/we 181 MOA
months)
Rs. 1000/- and/or
Allowing vehicle to be driven by a person
1.2 imprisonment ( 3 5 or/we 180 MOA
who does not possess a Valid License.
months)
130(3) or/we 177
1.3 Not carrying documents as required. Rs. 100/-
MOA
Rs. 1000/- and/or
1.4 Driving without Valid Insurance. imprisonment ( 3 130 or/we 177 MOA
months)
Rs. 5000/- ( not less
1.5 Driving without Valid Permit. 130 or/we 177 MOA
than Rs. 2000/-)
Rs. 5000/- ( not less
1.6 Driving without Valid Fitness. 130 or/we 177 MOA
than Rs. 2000/-)
1.7 Vehicle without OR.C. Rs 2000/- 39 or/w192 MOA

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 2. OFFENCES RELATED TO DRIVING
MAXIMUM
S.NO OFFENCES SECTION
PENALTY
2.1.1 Driving by Minor . Rs. 500/- 4 or/we 181 MOA
Allowing Unauthorized person to
2.1.2 Rs. 1000/- 5 or/we 180 MOA
drive .
2.1.3 Driving without Helmet. Rs. 100/- 129 or/w177 MOA
138(3) COMER
2.1.4 Seat Belts not fastened. Rs. 100/-
177 MOA
2.1.5 Rough/Rash/Negligen t Driving . Rs. 1000/- 184 MOA
Rs.1000/-
and/or
2.1.6 Dangerous or hasty Driving. 112-183 MOA
imprisonment
( 6 months)
2.1.7 Not Driving in Proper Lane. Court Challan 66 or/we 192 MOA
Driving in the center and not to left
2.1.8 Rs.100/- 2 ERR or/we 177 MOA
side.
2.1.9 Driving against One Way. Rs.100/- 17 (i) ERR 177 MOA
Reversing without due care and MOVER 233
2.1.10 Rs. 100/-
attention. 177 MOA
Taking "UP" turn during outlawed 12 ERR
2.1.11 Rs.100/-
hours. 177 MOA
Failing to take precaution while 3 ERR
2.1.12 Rs.100/-
taking a "Turn". 177 MOA
8 ERR
2.1.13Failing to decelerate at intersection. Rs.100/-
177 MOA
Failing to carry on left of traffic 2 ERR
2.1.14 Rs.100/-
island. 177 MOA
2.1.15Carrying persons on Footboard. Rs.100/- 123-177 MOA
Carrying persons causing hindrance
2.1.16 Rs.100/- 125-177 MOA
to the driver.
2.1.17Tripling. Rs. 100/- 128/177 MOA
2.1.18Driving on Footpath. Rs.100/- ERR 177 MOA
Stopping at pedestrian crossing or
2.1.19 Rs.100/- ERR 177 MOA
crossing a Stop Line.

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2.2 Road Marking Related Offences
2.2.1 Violation of Yellow Line. Rs. 100/- 119/177 MOA
2.2 Violation of Stop Line. Rs. 100/- 113(1)/177 DEMUR
2.2.3 Violation of Mandatory Signs . Rs. 100/- 119/177 MOA
2.3 Number Plate Related Offences
Use of Offensive Number Plate for COMER 105 (2) (ii)
2.3.1 Rs.100/-
vehicle used in driving. 177 MOA
2.3.2 Displaying 'Applied For'. Rs. 4500/- 39/192 MOA
2.4 Vehicle Light Related Offences
Improper use of headlights/tail light COMER 105 (2) (ii)
2.4.1 Rs.100/-
for vehicle used in driving. 177 MOA
112(G) A DEMUR
2.4.2 Using High Beam where not required. Rs. 100/-
177 MOA
2.5 Horn Related Offences
2.5.1 Driving without Horn. Rs. 100/- 119(1)/177 COMER
COMER 105 (2) (ii)
2.5.2 Improper horn usage while driving. Rs.100/-
177 MOA
2.6 Traffic Police Related Offences
119 MOA
Disobeying Traffic Police Officer in
2.6.1 Rs. 100/- 22(a) ERR
uniform.
177 MOA
2.6.2 Driving against Police Signal. Rs. 100/- 119 or/we 177 MOA
239 MOVER
2.6.3 Disobeying manual Traffic Signal. Rs. 100/- 22(a) ERR
177 MOA
2.7 Traffic Signal Related Offences
22(b) ERR
Disobeying Traffic signal / Sign
2.7.1 Rs. 100/- 239 MOVER
Board.
177 MOA
121 ERR
2.7.2 Failing to give Signal. Rs. 100/-
177 MOA
2.7.3 Jumping Signal. Rs.100/- 119/177 MOA

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2.8 Speed and Overtake Related Offences
Exceeding the prescribed Speed Up to
2.8.1 112-183 MOA
Limits. Rs.1000/-
2.8.2 Abetment for Over Speeding . Rs.300/- 112/183(2) MOA
2.8.3 Overtaking perilously. Rs.100/- 6 (a) ERR or/we 177 MOA
Failing to confer way to sanction 7 ERR
2.8.4 Rs.100/-
Overtaking. 177 MOA
2.8.5 Overtaking from Wrong Side . Rs. 100/- ERR 6/1/177 MOA
2.9 Other Offences
2.9.1 Disobeying Lawful Directions. Rs. 500/- 132/179 MOA
Rs.2000/-
Driving under influence of Alcohol / and/or
2.9.2 185 MOA
Drugs. imprisonment
( 6 months)
2.9.3 Using Mobile Phone while Driving. Up to 1000/- 184 MOA
Leaving vehicle in unoccupied
2.9.4 Rs.100/- 126-177 MOA
engine.
2.9.5 Leaving vehicle in unsafe position. Rs.100/- 122 177 MOA
2.9.6 In case of a minor Accident. Rs. 1000/- 184 MOA
2.9.7 Playing music while Driving. Rs. 100/- 102/177 MOA
2.9.8 Driving without Silencer. Rs. 100/- 120/190(2)/177CMVR
Driving when mentally or physically
2.9.9 Court Challan 186 MOA
unfit.

3. OFFENCES RELATED TO TOWING OF VEHICLES

S.NO OFFENCES MAXIMUM PENALTY SECTION
3.1 Two Wheeler. Rs.100/- ERR 177 MOA
3.2 Car , Jeep, Taxi, Auto Rickshaw. Rs.200/- ERR 177 MOA
3.3 Truck, Tanker, Trailer. Rs.600/- ERR 177 MOA

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 4. OFFENCES RELATED TO POLLUTION
MAXIMUM
S.NO OFFENCES SECTION
PENALTY
4.1 Smoking in Public Transport. Rs. 100/- 86(1)(5)/177 DEMUR
4.2 Pollution Not Under Control. Rs. 100/- 99(1)(a)/177 DEMUR
Fixing multi-toned/ shrill 119 COMER
4.3 Rs.500/-
horn. 190(2) MOA
4.4 Blowing Pressure Horn. Rs. 100/- 96(1)/177 DEMUR
Silencer/muffler making COMER 120
4.5 Rs.500/-
noise. 190(2) MOA
115 COMER
4.6 Smoky Exhaust. Rs.500/-
190(2) MOA
21(ii) ERR
4.7 Using horn in Silence Zone. Rs.100/-
177 MOA

5. OFFENCES RELATED TO MOTOR VEHICLES

MAXIMUM
S.No OFFENCES SECTION
PENALTY
Using Vehicle in Unsafe
5.1 Court Challan 192 MOA
Conditions.
When motor vehicle is out of
5.2 Rs.100/- 47-177 MOA
state for more than 12 months.
Particulars to be printed on
5.3 Rs.100/- 84(G)-177 MOA
transport vehicles.
COMER 101
5.4 Without Wiper Rs.100/-
5,12 177 MOA
5.4 Without Side Mirror. Rs.100/- 5, 7/177 MOA
5.5 Defective tires. Rs.100/- COMER 94
No indication board on left hand
5.6 Rs.100/- 120, 177 MOA
drive vehicle.
Sale of motor vehicle/alteration
52/191 MOA,
5.7 of motor vehicle in Rs.300/-
32/192.66/192 MV Act
contravention of Act.
Vehicles fitted with dark 100 COMER
5.8 Rs.100/-
glasses/sun films. 177 MOA

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 Driving without proper number
236 MOVER
5.9 plate/ illuminating rear number Rs.100/-
177 MOA
plate.
Failing to display public carrier 116 MOVER
5.10 Rs.100/-
board. 177 MOA
Rs. 5000/-
Using private vehicle for
5.11 ( not less than Rs. 2000/- -
commercial purposes.
)
Any sort of misconduct with
MOVER 21(18)
5.12 passengers, not wearing Rs.100/-
177 MOA
uniform/not displaying badge.
Rs. 2000/-plus Rs. 1000/- MOVER 93(up)(i)
5.13 Overloading a goods vehicle.
for every additional ton. 177 MOA
Carrying goods in a dangerous or Imprisonment and/or fine 29 ERR
5.14
hazardous manner. of Rs. 3000/- 177 MOA
Imprisonment and/or fine
Infringement of permit
5.15 of Rs. 5000/-( not less -
conditions.
than Rs. 2000/-)
5.16 Use of Colored light on Vehicle Rs. 100/- 97(2)/177 DEMUR

6. OFFENCES RELATED TO COMMERCIAL VEHICLES

MAXIMUM
S.No OFFENCES SECTION
PENALTY
6.1 Plying in 'NO ENTRY' Time Upton 2000/- 115/194 MOA
11/177, 2/177, 66/192
6. Violation of Time Table Court Challan
MOA
6.2 High and Long / Load in Vehicles Rs. 100/- 29 ERR/177 MOA
Carrying animals in goods vehicles in MOVER 83
6.3 Rs.100/-
contravention of rules. 177 MOA
Carrying persons dangerously or carrying MOVER 108
6.4 Rs.100/-
persons in goods vehicles. 177 MOA
6.5 Goods in Passenger Vehicles - -
229 MOVER
6.6 Dangerous projection of goods. Rs.100/- 29 ERR
177 MOA

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 MOVER 202
6.7 Carrying goods unsecured. Rs.100/-
177 MOA
MOVER 93(up) (i)
6. Carrying goods more than 11 feet high. Rs.100/-
177 MOA
6. Limit Of weight and limitation on Use. Court Challan 113/194(1) MOA
6. Driver refuses to weigh vehicle. Court Challan 114/194(2) MOA
MOVER 202
6.9 Load on Tail Board. Rs.100/-
177 MOA
6.10 Misbehavior by Taxi/TSAR Driver. Rs. 100/- 11(3)/177 DEMUR
6.11 Over Charging by Taxi/TSAR Driver. Rs. 100/- 11(8)/177 DEMUR
6.12 Charging without Meter. Rs. 100/- 11(8)/177 DEMUR
6.13 Refusal by Taxi/TSAR Driver. Rs. 100/- 11(9)/177 DEMUR
6.14 Driver without Uniform. Rs. 100/- 7/177 DEMUR
6.14 Driver without Badge. Rs. 100/- 22(1)/177 DEMUR
6.15 Conductor without Uniform. Rs. 100/- 23(1)/177 DEMUR
6.16 Conductor without Badge. Rs. 100/- 22(1)/177 DEMUR
6.17 Stopping without Bus stop Court Challan 66/192 MOA
Power to detain Vehicle used in
6.18 contravention of section 3.4,39 or 66(1) MV Court Challan 207(1) MOA
Act.

7. OFFENCES RELATED TO PARKING

MAXIMUM
S.NO OFFENCES SECTION
PENALTY
22(a) ERR
7.1 Parking in the direction of flow of traffic. Rs.100/-
177 MOA
Parking away from footpath towards 15(2) ERR
7.2 Rs.100/-
road. 177 MOA
15(2) ERR
7.3 Parking against flow of traffic. Rs.100/-
177 MOA
15(2) ERR
7.4 Parking causing Obstruction. Rs. 100/-
177 MOA
15(2) ERR
7.5 Parking on a Taxi Stand. Rs. 100/-
177 MOA
7.6 Parking in not any prescribed manner. Rs. 100/- 15(1) ERR
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 177 MOA
15(i) ERR
7.7 Parking at any Corner. Rs. 100/-
177 MOA
Parking within 15 meters on either side of 15(2) ERR
7.8 Rs. 100/-
Bus Stop. 177 MOA
15(2) (i) ERR
7.9 Parking on Bridge. Rs. 100/-
177 MOA
15(i) ERR
7.10 Parking at Traffic Island. Rs. 100/-
177 MOA
15(2) ERR
7.11 Parking in "No" Parking Area. Rs. 100/-
177 MOA
15(2)(iii) ERR
7.12 Parked on Pedestrian Crossing. Rs. 100/-
177 MOA
15(2)(ii) ERR
7.13 Parking on Footpath. Rs. 100/-
177 MOA
15(2)(viii) ERR
7.14 Parking in front of a gate. Rs. 100/-
177 MOA
15(1) ERR
7.15 Parking causing obstruction. Rs. 100/-
177 MOA

ERR: Rules of Road Regulations 1989

MOA: Motor Vehicles Act 1988
COMER: Central Motor Vehicles Rules 1989
Besides these provisions, it is mandatory for every driver driving, to carry the
following documents while driving:

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 S.No Documents
1 Valid driving license.
2 Vehicle Registration Certificate.
3 Road Tax Token.
4 Pollution under Control Certificate.
5 Current Insurance Certificate.

Any driver can be held from his driving license if falls in line with any of the given
criteria:

S.No Criterion
1 Driving is dangerous to the public.
2 Under the age of 18 yrs.
3 Drunk or addicted to dugs.
4 Illegal driving license.
5 Driving a vehicle with a objectionable history.

Often, people feel exempted on paying challans, only to commit the offences time
and again. Rather, we should practice and obey the rules. "Keeping an Eye on
oneself" is indeed the best rule and best penalty.

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