10 Traffic Rules to Know While Driving a Car in Delhi

Delhi is one of India’s most busy and populated cities, as it welcomes people from different parts of the country who come here for better opportunities and a promising future. As more people settle down in this beautiful city, it is natural to expect an increased movement of personal vehicles on roads. The only problem with this increasing number of cars is more busy and chaotic roads, leading to increased chances of road mishaps.

Hence authorities have created stringent traffic rules to safeguard both the vehicle owners and people walking on the road. These rules aim to make Indian roads safer for all, and breaching even one rule can land you in trouble. Let’s know more about the traffic rules and associated fines and penalties in detail, so you’re more careful while driving on roads.

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10 Important traffic rules to know while driving a car in Delhi

If you own a car in Delhi and take it out regularly to commute between office and home and vice-versa, you should be aware of the following rules:

  1. Carry all Essential Documents

You never know when you’ll be stopped by a traffic cop at a signal for document inspection, so it’s better to always carry all essential documents in your vehicle. Before you start driving, check if you have the car smart card/RC copy, driving license, PUC certificate, and valid car insurance with you.

If you have a new car, an RTO receipt valid for 90 days will also serve the purpose. Those who have just completed their driving lessons and training can apply for a driving license online. Go through this article, as it is explained in detail on how to apply for a driving license in Delhi? and you’ll get a detailed step-wise guide to follow.

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  1. Look for Revised Traffic Fines and Penalties

Authorities keep reviewing and changing the fines and penalties to make people more responsible while driving.  One such change was noticed in 2019 when the old fines and penalties slab was replaced by a more stringent one. If you’re driving a car today and you breach any of the traffic rules, you’ll be obligated to pay the following:

Offence New Penalty (From September 2019 & Beyond) Old Penalty (Before September 2019)
General Offence Rs. 500 (first-time offenders), Rs. 1,500 (second-time offenders) Rs. 100 (first-time offenders), Rs. 300 (second-time offenders)
Driving without license Rs.5,000 Rs.500
Rash Driving Rs. 1,000 to Rs.5,000 or imprisonment of six months to 1 year (for first-time offenders)

Fine up to Rs.10,000 or imprisonment up to 2 years (for second-time offenders)

Nil
Overloading Passengers/People Rs.1,000 per extra passenger/person Nil
Not Wearing Seatbelt Rs.1,000 Rs.100
Driving an Uninsured Vehicle Rs. 2,000 and/or a jail term of up to 3 months (for first-time offenders)

Rs. 4,000 and/or a jail term of up to 3 months (for second-term offenders)

Rs.1,000 and/or jail term of up to 3 months
Drunk Driving Rs.10,000 and/or jail term of up to 6 months (first-time offenders)

Rs. 15,000 and/or jail term of up to 2 years

Rs.2,000
Driving with Invalid/Expired License Rs.10,000 Rs.100

 

  1. Understand all the Traffic Signs

To ensure free road movement isn’t halted for any reason, authorities put up various traffic signs that drivers are mandatorily required to check and follow. Mandatory traffic signs alert drivers about when to stop, permissible speed limit, pedestrian crossing, a school ahead, horn prohibited area, no parking, narrow road or narrow bridge ahead, hump or rough road, barrier ahead, etc. If you avoid any such traffic sign, you can be stopped and issued a challan by a traffic cop.

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  1. Don’t Use Mobile Phones While Driving

One of the most common reasons behind road accidents is a distraction. If the driver gets distracted and diverts his attention from the road, the chances of road mishaps increase manifold. It is why the authorities made a law to prevent drivers from talking on the phone while driving. If a driver is found talking on a mobile phone, the traffic cop holds the right to stop him and raise a challan of up to Rs.5,000, seize the driving license, and suspend it for at least 3 months.

  1. Do Not Drink & Drive

Driving under the influence of any toxic substance, including alcohol, can cause a lot of damage to the people on the road and the driver. Hence to prevent such instances, the authorities made it a rule to penalize people who engage in drunk driving.

If your blood alcohol limit is found to be above 0.03%, which is approximately 30mg alcohol per 100 ml of blood, you will be fined anything between Rs.2,000 to Rs.10,000. The fine amount will depend on the final blood alcohol limit detected on the BAC test. Depending on the severity of the case, you can also be sentenced to a jail term of up to 7 months or 4 years.

  1. Always Wear a Seatbelt

Whenever you’re driving, always make it a habit to wear your seatbelt. If a traffic cop spots you driving without wearing a seatbelt, you will instantly be asked to stop and pay a fine of up to Rs.1,000. Wearing a seatbelt will not only save you from the penalty but will also save your life if you ever encounter a road accident.   

  1. Rules Regarding Overloading Your Car

Overfilling your car with people is another rule to look after. If you own a standard small car, you should not accommodate more than four people in it. If you’re caught driving five or more people in a small car, you may be subjected to a challan. As the new traffic rules are quite strict, you can end up paying Rs.1,000 for every extra person in your vehicle.

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  1. Protect your vehicle with an insurance policy

The city of Delhi is cluttered with the highest rate of traffic in India. Accidents are likely to happen more because of the overpopulation and lack of good roads. However, this should not stop you from driving a car in Delhi. You can keep safe from all harmful events by buying car insurance as it is a mandatory rule, at least buying third-party car insurance is advisable to drive a car in Delhi. Third-party car insurance is basic insurance you must-have, It secures the driver against financial losses arising from road mishaps towards any third party individual and property.

You can also ensure your car is under comprehensive car insurance if you want better coverages. Drivers without valid car insurance will be subjected to pay the consequences of a fine of up to Rs.1,000 and/or a jail term of up to 3 months. Updated penalty prices have been raised up to Rs.2,000 and Rs.4,000 for first-time and second-time offenders, respectively.

  1. Give Way for Emergency Vehicles

To facilitate faster movements for emergency vehicles, like ambulances, the authorities have asked all the drivers to make way for them. For patients in an ambulance, every minute is precious. To make them reach the hospital as fast as possible, rules have been made asking drivers to either take emergency vehicles or risk paying a fine of Rs.2,000.

  1. Abide by Delhi’s Parking Rules

As the charges for on-street parking have increased exponentially, drivers have to be careful while finding a spot to park their car. The parking charges are going to vary depending on the parking hours, vehicle type, and location, so always double-check with the concerned person on the spot before parking your car. If you don’t want your vehicle to get towed away, never park it on footpaths, no-parking areas, or in front of a public building.

Stringent traffic rules only help drivers become more cautious and responsible while driving, so be sure to always follow the rules. If you’re in Delhi, following the traffic rules discussed above will be enough for a safe and hassle-free driving experience.

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