The Motor Vehicles Act of 1988 lists a number of rules or laws that must be followed by all vehicle owners/drivers. However, there are more than a handful of people that choose to bypass these laws and do as they please while driving or riding their vehicles. Section 129 of the Motor Vehicles Act is targeted at two-wheeler drivers and states that driving/riding a two-wheeler without wearing a helmet is considered a traffic violation and is an illegal offence in the country. The punishment for anyone caught without a helmet while driving/riding a two-wheeler can go up to Rs. 1,000 along with the suspension or seizing of the driving licence. In some severe cases, the driver can be imprisoned for up to three months.
When the Motor Vehicles Act was first prepared, the fine for driving a two-wheeler without wearing a helmet was no higher than Rs. 100. With this amount in mind, offenders didn’t mind if they were caught and would often just pay the fine and continue breaking the law. However, when the Motor Vehicles Act was amended in September 2019, the fine was increased to Rs. 1,000. Along with the fine, some states either seize or suspend the driving licence of the driver, and the penalty can even find the driver in prison for about three months. The latest amendment of the Section 129 rule also states that a legal helmet must be of a thickness of about 20-25 mm and should have high-quality foam on the inside. There should also be an ISI certification on the helmet in accordance with the Bureau of Standards.
If you have never been caught or unfortunately forgot to wear a helmet, this is the process of a police officer when they catch you driving without a helmet:
Here are the steps you need to follow when paying the Challan for not wearing a helmet online:
Step 1: Visit the website for the State Transport Department.
Step 2: Find and click on the Challan or Violation Payment button.
Step 3: In the provided space, enter the ‘Challan Number’ or ‘Vehicle Number’.
Step 4: Enter the Captcha.
Step 5: Check all the details of the Challan on the next page and continue.
Step 6: Select the payment method you wish to complete the transaction. The options include Credit Card, Debit Card, and PayTM.
Step 7: After the payment is made, you will receive a notification along with a receipt on your phone.
Step 8: You can download and print the receipt for future reference.
While most people would choose to make the Challan payment online, there are some that prefer the offline method. Here is what you need to do to make the Challan payment offline:
Step 1: Visit the nearest Traffic Police Station in your city.
Step 2: Provide the details of the Challan you received and verify them.
Step 3: Make the payment either through Credit Card, Debit Card, Cash or through PayTM.
Step 4: Ask for a receipt for future reference.
When you choose to drive a vehicle, it is your duty to adhere to the rules and laws of the state/country. By following the rules, not only will you save yourself from fines and penalties, but you will also keep people around you safe. If you want to avoid getting a Challan while driving your two-wheeler, here are some helpful tips:
What are the Challan fines for not wearing a helmet in different states?
As mentioned earlier, the amended Motor Vehicles Act updated the fine for not wearing a helmet while driving a two-wheeler from Rs. 100 to Rs. 1,000 in September 2019. However, some states have taken the penalty structure into their own hands and have come up with fines and penalties of their own. Here are the fine amounts for different states in India for not wearing a helmet while driving a two-wheeler:
| STATE | PENALTY |
| Delhi | Rs. 1,000 and/or Licence Disqualification for 3 Months |
| Maharashtra | Rs. 1,000 and/or Licence Disqualification for 3 Months |
| Uttar Pradesh | Rs. 1,000 |
| Karnataka | Rs. 1,000 and/or Licence Disqualification for 3 Months |
| Punjab | Rs. 1,000 and/or Licence Disqualification for 3 Months |
| Telangana | Rs. 200 |
| Andhra Pradesh | Rs. 1,000 and/or Licence Disqualification for 3 Months |
| Delhi traffic challan status | Haryana traffic challan status |
| Maharashtra traffic challan status | Uttar Pradesh traffic challan status |
FAQ
Q: What is the fine for driving without a helmet in India?
A: The fine for driving a two-wheeler without a helmet is set at Rs. 1,000 and the penalty can also be suspension of driving licence or imprisonment for up to 3 months.
Q: Can I be fined twice for the same offence of not wearing a helmet while driving?
A: Yes. You can be fined multiple times if you are caught driving without a helmet and could end up paying higher fines for any repeated offence.
Q: Can I drive a two-wheeler while intoxicated?
A: No. If you are caught driving any vehicle while intoxicated, you are liable to pay a fine of Rs. 10,000 and/or be imprisoned for 6 months or more. If the offence is repeated, the fine increases to Rs. 15,000 and/or imprisonment for 2 years or more.
Q: Are these fines for not wearing a helmet found in every state in India?
A: Yes. The amended Motor Vehicles Act in 2019 ensures that all states in the country have to abide by these laws and penalties. However, there are some states that enhance the penalty structure to better suit their people.
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