Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act 2019 comes into force








Road Safety is must for each and every citizen


The Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act 2019 has come into force today, and with its roll-out come higher penalties for traffic offenses. The higher fines are a much-needed measure to curb traffic offenses in India, which has some the world’s unsafest roads when it comes to driving. The government expects the higher fines to be a stronger deterrent for road users breaking the rules. 
Amendments to motor vehicle passed by the Parliament but most come into effect from September 1.
  • Enhancement of penalties

The new Motor Vehicles Act has enhanced the penalties for driving errors. According to the transport ministry's press release explaining the summary of changes in the Act, it has enhanced "penalty for offences where no penalty is specifically provided for- first offence from up to Rs 100 to Rs 500 and second/subsequent offence from up to Rs 300 to Rs 1,500."


A list of some of the new fines are below:

Section under 1988 Act
Description
Old penalty/provision
 New penalty/provision
181
Driving without license
Rs 500
Rs 5,000
182
Driving despite disqualification
Rs 500
Rs 10,000
183
Over speeding
Rs 400
Rs 1,000-2,000 (light motor vehicle)
Rs 2,000-4,000 (medium passenger vehicle)
184
Dangerous driving
Rs 1,000
Imprisonment of 6 months-1 year and/or fine of Rs 1,000-5,000 for first offence. Imprisonment up to 2 years and/or fine up to Rs 10,000 for second offence.
185
Drunk driving
Rs 2,000
Imprisonment up to 6 months and/or fine up to Rs 10,000 for first offence. Imprisonment up to 2 years and/or fine of Rs 15,000 for second offence.
189
Racing
Rs 500
Imprisonment of up to 1 month and/or fine up to Rs 500 for first offence. Imprisonment up to 1month and/or fine up to Rs 10,000 for second offence.
194A
Overloading

Rs 1,000 per extra passenger
194B
No seatbelt
Rs 100
Rs 1,000
194C
Overloading two-wheeler
Rs 100
Rs 2,000; license disqualification for 3 months
194D
No helmet
Rs 100
Rs 1000; license disqualification for 3 months
194E
Not providing way to emergency vehicle

Rs 10,000
196
Driving without insurance
Rs 1,000
Rs 1,000-2,000 and/or punishment up to 3 months for first offence. Rs 4000 and/or imprisonment up to 3 months for second offence
198
Failure to comply with standards for road design, construction and maintenance
Up to Rs 1 lakh
199
Offences by juveniles

Guardian/vehicle owner deemed guilty - Rs 25,000 with 3 years imprisonment. Vehicle registration cancelled for 12 months. Juvenile ineligible to obtain license until the age of 25 years.
210B
Offenses committed by enforcing agencies

Double of applicable penalty

In addition to the fines and penalties, the Motor Vehicles Amendment Act 2019 also covers other areas of road transport.