Traffic Rules Every Driver in India Must Know
The Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act 2019 dramatically increased penalties for traffic violations. Ignorance is no longer a defence — and with e-challans and cameras everywhere, violations are tracked automatically.
Speed Limits
Seatbelt Rules
- Mandatory for: Driver + all passengers, front and rear seats
- Children under 14: Must be in the rear seat; seat belt mandatory
- Infant/toddler: Child safety seat required
- Penalty: ₹1,000 per person not wearing a seatbelt
Many people still don't buckle rear passengers. A rear-seat passenger without a seatbelt becomes a 70kg projectile in a collision.
Helmet Rules (Two-Wheelers)
- Mandatory for: Rider and pillion passenger
- Quality: Must be ISI-certified (BIS mark)
- Buckle must be fastened (not just helmet on head)
- Penalty: ₹1,000 + possible disqualification from getting DL for 3 months
Mobile Phone While Driving
Using a mobile phone while driving (including speaking, texting, checking notifications) is:
- Penalty: ₹1,000–₹5,000
- Hands-free is allowed but earphones/AirPods in both ears is not
- Dashcam / navigation on mount: Legal, as long as you don't handle the phone
Drunk Driving (DUI)
This carries the harshest penalties:
- BAC limit: 30mg per 100ml blood (very strict — even 1 large beer may exceed this)
- First offence: ₹10,000 fine + up to 6 months imprisonment
- Second offence: ₹15,000 + up to 2 years imprisonment
- Licence suspension: Immediate on arrest
There is no safe threshold for alcohol before driving. A single drink affects reaction time by 20–30%.
Overtaking Rules
- Overtake only from the right (right side = fast lane in India)
- Never overtake:
- Near a pedestrian crossing
- At intersections
- When there's a solid yellow line (no-overtaking zone)
- Emergency vehicle is approaching
- Penalty: ₹500–₹1,000; up to ₹5,000 for dangerous overtaking
Right of Way Rules
At intersections without signals:
1. Emergency vehicles always have priority (ambulance, fire truck, police)
2. Vehicle already in the intersection has priority
3. Vehicle on the right has priority (right-of-way rule)
4. Larger vehicle does NOT automatically have priority (but does in practice — stay safe)
At zebra crossings:
- Pedestrians have absolute right of way once they step onto the crossing
- Penalty for not stopping: ₹5,000–₹10,000 (updated 2023)
Red Light Rules
- Red light: Full stop, behind the stop line
- Amber: Slow and stop if safe to do so (not speed up)
- Green arrow: Proceed in the indicated direction only
- Flashing amber: Proceed with caution
- Penalty for jumping red light: ₹1,000–₹5,000 + 3-month suspension
Lane Discipline
- Slow vehicles: Left lane
- Overtaking: Right lane only, then move back left
- Wrong way driving: ₹5,000 penalty
- Driving on footpath: ₹5,000 penalty
Documents to Carry While Driving
You must carry:
1. Driving Licence (original or DigiLocker/mParivahan digital copy — legally valid)
2. RC (Registration Certificate)
3. Insurance certificate (third-party minimum; comprehensive preferred)
4. PUC certificate (Pollution Under Control)
mParivahan app stores digital versions of all documents — legally accepted by police since 2018. Penalty for missing documents: ₹500–₹5,000 per document; vehicle may be impounded.Emergency Vehicle Priority
When you hear a siren:
1. Move to the leftmost lane immediately
2. Reduce speed or stop if necessary
3. Do not follow close behind emergency vehicles
4. Do not block intersection while emergency vehicle is approaching
Obstruction of emergency vehicle penalty: ₹10,000Practice the traffic rules section in our free RTO test →