If you are a vehicle owner then this article is for you. The number of road accidents in the country keeps rising, and a big part of the problem is people ignoring traffic rules. Despite the hefty fines set by the Government of India, many still choose to break these rules. To tackle this issue, the Government has made a significant move by announcing increased fines for traffic violations under the new Motor Vehicle Act, effective from March 1, 2025. These new fines will hit your wallet hard, and there’s even a chance of jail time.

 

Drink and Drive

 

Previously, the fine for this offense was between Rs 1000-1500, but now it’s jumped to Rs 10,000 along with a potential 6-month jail sentence. If you repeat the offense, the fine goes up to Rs 15,000 and you could face 2 years in prison.

 

Riding Without a Helmet

 

Before, if you were caught riding a bike or scooter without a helmet, you’d get a Rs 100 fine. Now, that fine has increased to Rs 1000, and your license could be suspended for 3 months.

 

Driving Without a Seat Belt

 

The old penalty for not wearing a seat belt was just Rs 100, but under the new rules, you could be fined Rs 1000.

 

Using a Mobile Phone While Driving

 

In the past, using your phone while driving would cost you Rs 500, but now the fine has skyrocketed to Rs 5000.

 

Driving Without a License or Insurance

 

If you’re caught driving without a valid license, the fine used to be Rs 500, but it’s now been raised to Rs 5000. Additionally, driving without valid insurance used to incur a fine of Rs 200-400, but that’s now set at Rs 2000, with the possibility of 3 months in jail or community service, plus a Rs 4000 fine for repeat offenders.

 

 

Riding with too many people on a two-wheeler

 

If more than two people are on a two-wheeler, you’ll face a fine of Rs 1000 for this offense. Previously, the penalty was just Rs 100.

 

Driving without a pollution certificate

 

Riding or driving without a pollution certificate now comes with a hefty fine of Rs 10,000, up from Rs 1000. Plus, you could also face up to six months in jail and community service.

 

Reckless driving, racing, and speeding

 

If you’re caught driving recklessly, racing, or speeding, the fine has jumped from Rs 500 to Rs 5000.

 

Not yielding to emergency vehicles

 

Failing to give way to emergency vehicles like ambulances will now cost you Rs 10,000, a significant increase from the previous Rs 1000 fine.

 

Overloading

 

The fine for overloading has skyrocketed from Rs 2000 to Rs 20,000, which can really hit your wallet hard.

 

Running a red light

 

Jumping a traffic signal will now set you back Rs 5000, compared to the old fine of Rs 500.

 

Juvenile violations

 

For young drivers, the fine for violations has been raised from Rs 2500 to a staggering Rs 25000. Additionally, penalties include three years in jail, a one-year vehicle registration cancellation, and disqualification of the driving license until the age of 25.