New Motor vehicle Fines 2025: Prepare to Pay 10X for Traffic Violations
In a bold step toward improving road safety and tackling reckless driving, the Indian government has introduced a drastic overhaul of traffic penalties, set to take effect from March 1, 2025.
The new motor vehicle fines represent a significant leap in the severity of penalties for key traffic violations, with some fines increasing by up to 10 times compared to previous amounts.
This move is designed to curb unsafe driving practices, reduce accidents, and enforce stricter adherence to road rules across the country.
With a focus on promoting safer driving habits, the new motor vehicle fines 2025 will see an escalation in penalties for serious infractions like drunk driving, dangerous driving, and distracted driving.
The government’s initiative is clear: anyone caught violating road safety laws will face significantly higher financial penalties and, in some cases, imprisonment or community service. This marks a shift towards a more stringent, zero-tolerance approach to traffic violations.
New Motor Vehicle Fines 2025
| Type of Offense | Old Fine | New Fine |
|---|---|---|
| Drunken Driving | ₹1,000 to ₹1,500 | ₹10,000 and/or 6 months in prison ₹15,000 and/or 2 years in prison (repeated violation) |
| Riding without Helmet | ₹100 | ₹1,000 plus license scrapping for three months |
| Driving without fastening the seat belts | ₹100 | ₹1,000 |
| Using Mobile Phone while Driving | ₹500 | ₹5,000 |
| Driving without carrying a valid driving license | ₹500 | ₹5,000 |
| Triple riding on two-wheeler | ₹100 | ₹1,000 |
| Driving without a valid Insurance | ₹1,000 | ₹2,000 and/or 3 months in prison, community service ₹4,000 in case of repetition of violation |
| Driving without a valid Pollution Certificate | ₹1,000 | ₹10,000 and/or up to 6 months of prison and community service |
| Dangerous Driving | ₹500 | ₹5,000 |
| Not making way for emergency vehicles (e.g., ambulance) | ₹1,000 | ₹10,000 |
| Racing or speeding on public roads | ₹500 | ₹5,000 |
| Overloading | ₹200 | ₹20,000 |
| Signal Jumping | ₹1,000 | ₹5,000 |
| Offenses made by juveniles (aged below 18 years) | ₹2,500 | ₹25,000, 3 years imprisonment, cancellation of vehicle registration, and ineligibility for a driving license until 25 years of age |
Key Changes in the New Penalties
These revised motor vehicle fines reflect the government’s commitment to improving road safety and reducing traffic violations, with harsher penalties aimed at deterring offenders and ensuring stricter compliance with traffic laws.
Here are the key changes made in the revised new motor vehicle fines 2025:
Drunk Driving: Previously fined ₹1,000 to ₹1,500, the penalty for drunk driving now stands at ₹10,000 and/or up to six months in prison. Repeat offenders face ₹15,000 and/or two years in jail, highlighting the government’s commitment to combating drunk driving.
Helmet and Seat Belt Violations: Riders without helmets now face a ₹1,000 fine, with a three-month license suspension. Similarly, driving without a seat belt will attract a ₹1,000 fine, emphasizing safety.
Mobile Phone Use: The fine for using a mobile phone while driving has increased sharply to ₹5,000 from ₹500, addressing the growing concern over distracted driving.
Missing Documents: Driving without a valid license now incurs a ₹5,000 fine, while not carrying insurance results in a ₹2,000 penalty, with potential imprisonment and community service for repeat offenders.
Pollution and Dangerous Driving: Driving without a pollution certificate will cost ₹10,000 and/or six months in prison. Dangerous driving, including speeding or racing, is penalized with a ₹5,000 fine.
Triple Riding and Emergency Vehicle Compliance: Triple riding on two-wheelers will incur a ₹1,000 fine. Not yielding to emergency vehicles like ambulances will attract a ₹10,000 fine.
Signal Jumping and Overloading: Signal jumping now incurs a ₹5,000 fine, while overloading vehicles attracts a ₹20,000 penalty, a significant increase from ₹2,000.
Juvenile Offenders: For juveniles under 18, penalties include a ₹25,000 fine, three years in prison, vehicle registration cancellation, and a ban on obtaining a driving license until 25.
