Optional Grouping: Dangerous Driving

It is mandatory to register motor vehicles before driving them¹, and after getting your vehicle registered, you will receive a Registration Certificate (RC) (( Section 41, The Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.)). It is mandatory to carry the original copy or electronic copy of the RC and to display a registration mark on your vehicle². 

If you drive or allow a motor vehicle to be driven without registration, you can be punished with a fine between Rs. 2,000 to 5,000 for the first offence, and with jail time of up to 1 year, or a fine between Rs. 5,000 and 10,000, or both, for any subsequent offence³. The applicable fine amount might vary across states. 

You cannot be fined for not having the Registration Certificate only for the following reasons⁴:

• Conveyance of persons suffering from sickness or injuries
• Transport of food or materials to relieve distress or of medical supplies 

However, you must inform the Regional Transport Authority (RTA) of your state within 7 days that you are using a motor vehicle for the two reasons given above, otherwise you can be fined. 

Given below are the fine amounts for two states:

1. Section 39, The Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. [↩]
2. Section 139, The Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989. [↩]
3. Section 192(1), The Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. [↩]
4. Section 192, The Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. [↩]

It is mandatory for all motor vehicles, except motorcycles of engine capacity less than 70 cc, to have a Pollution Under Control Certificate (PUC)¹. This certificate indicates that the emissions from your vehicle are under control, and in accordance with the law. This PUC certificate can be easily obtained from any certified pollution check centre, which is present at petrol pumps and car repair shops.

You must get a PUC Certificate for your vehicle within a year of the registration² of that vehicle, and it is mandatory to carry this certificate in your vehicle, and must be presented when asked for by a police officer². A PUC Certificate is only valid for a limited period of time, and it is important that you renew your PUC certificate before it expires, otherwise, you will be fined.

If you do not have a PUC certificate, you will be punished with a fine of at least Rs. 500 for the first offence, and a fine of at least Rs. 1,500 for every subsequent offence³. The applicable fine amount might vary across states. 

Given below are the fine amounts for two states:

 

1. Section 115(1)(7), Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989. [↩]
2. Section 115(7), Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989. [↩] [↩]
3. Section 177, The Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. [↩]

If you drive a motor vehicle at a speed or in a manner which is dangerous to the public, or which causes a sense of alarm or distress to the occupants of the car, other road users and persons near the road, it is known as dangerous driving¹. Listed below are some instances of dangerous driving:

 

• Jumping a red light. 
• Violating a stop sign. 
• Using any handheld communication devices, like mobile phones, while driving. 
• Passing or overtaking other vehicles unlawfully. 
• Driving against the flow of the traffic, such as driving on the wrong side. 

If you drive dangerously, you will face jail time between six months to a year, or a fine between Rs. 1,000 to Rs. 5,000, or both, for the first offence. For every subsequent offence, if committed within three years, you will be punished with jail time of up to 2 years, or a fine of Rs. 10,000, or both¹. The applicable fine amount might vary across states. 

Given below are the fine amounts for two states:

 

1. Section 184, The Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. [↩] [↩]

While driving a two-wheeled motorcycle, you have to make sure that: 

• Only two people, including the driver, are sitting on the two-wheeler motorcycle¹. 
• The second person should be sitting on a proper seat, which is securely fixed to the two motorcycles¹. 

If you violate these two conditions given above, you can be:

• Fined for at least Rs. 1,000, although the applicable fine amount might vary across states.  
• Disqualified from holding your driving license for a period of three months². 

Given below are the fine amounts for two states:

 

1. Section 128(1), The Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. [↩] [↩]
2. Section 194C, The Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. [↩]

You cannot use a mobile phone while driving any motor vehicle, as it can pose a danger to the driver and the public. It can also be considered as dangerous driving, for which, you will be punished with:

• First Time (First Offence): Jail time between 6 months to 1 year or a fine between Rs. 1,000 to Rs. 5,000, or both¹. The applicable fine amount might vary across states.
• Subsequent Offence: If you commit this offence within three years of committing your first offence, you will be punished with jail time of up to 2 years or a fine of Rs. 10,000, or both1. The applicable fine amount might vary across states. 

Given below are the fine amounts for two states:

1. Section 184, The Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. [↩]

Anyone who drives a two-wheeler motorcycle has to wear a helmet or protective headgear (( Section 129, The Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.)). Further, every person, including children above 4 years of age¹, who is riding the two-wheeler motorcycle must also wear a helmet. This headgear must have two features¹:

• It can be reasonably expected to provide a degree of protection from injury in case of an accident. 
• It is securely fastened to the head of the wearer (such as, by straps).

Only Sikh people who are wearing a turban and women need not compulsorily wear a helmet¹. However, this exception varies across states. 

If you do not wear a helmet while driving, you will be punished with a fine of at least Rs. 1,000 and you will be disqualified from holding your license for 3 months². The applicable fine amount might vary across states. 

Given below are the fine amounts for two states:

1. Section 129, The Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. [↩] [↩] [↩]
2. Section 194D, The Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. [↩]

You cannot drive, or allow someone to drive, a motor vehicle that has any defect which either you (owner) knows about or could have known about through ordinary care, which makes the car dangerous to other persons or vehicles¹. For example, if the brakes of your vehicle are not functioning properly, your vehicle will be considered defective. 

The penalties for driving a defective motor vehicle are as follows¹:

• If you drive or allow anyone to drive a defective motor vehicle, then you will be punished with a fine of at least Rs. 1,500. The applicable fine amount might vary across states. 
• If such a vehicle causes an accident that results in bodily injury or damage to property:
  • For the first offence, you will be punished with a fine of Rs. 5,000 or jail time of up to 3 months or both. The applicable fine amount might vary across states. 
  • For every subsequent offence, you will be punished with a fine of up to Rs. 10,000 or jail time of up to 6 months. The applicable fine amount might vary across states. 

Given below are the fine amounts for two states:

 

1. Section 190(1), The Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. [↩] [↩]

 

Your vehicle should be mandatorily fitted with an electric horn that is capable of giving sufficient and audible warning that the vehicle is approaching¹.  If you own a motor vehicle which does not have a horn, then you will be punished with a fine of at least Rs. 500 for the first offence, and Rs. 1,500 for every subsequent offence². The applicable fine amount might vary across states. 

Given below are the fine amounts for two states:

 

 

1. Section 119, Central Motor Vehicles Rules,1989 [↩]
2. Section 177, The Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. [↩]