All about helmet laws in India
Read All about helmet laws in India. For more information, check out the bike insurance policy from Kotak General Insurance.
The Motor Vehicles Act of 1988 has undergone several revisions to make it more thorough and applicable while keeping up with the evolving traffic situation. The most recent revision from 2019 adds 63 clauses that have some revised helmet laws. These provisions increased fines for traffic infractions, including operating a vehicle without a helmet.
Additionally, these traffic laws set forth requirements for the headgear or helmet worn while you ride.
What are the provisions of the act?
The Motor Vehicle Act of India has concluded the following helmet laws under the act -
• All riders, including the pillion rider, who are older than four years old must wear "protective gear" when operating a motorbike - Section 129(a).
• If they wear a turban while riding a bike, Sikhism adherents are free from wearing helmets.
• The helmet should be tightly fastened to the driver's head using the associated straps to prevent the headgear from coming off in the case of an accident.
• You can have trouble registering your bike if your dealer does not give you the required helmet. Additionally, significant elements, in this case, are the helmet's material and form.
• Section 138 (4) (f) of the Central Motor Vehicles Rule served as the foundation for several states' RTO helmet regulations (CMVR). A minimum of two BIS-compliant protective helmets must be provided to buyers of two-wheelers as per this regulation, one for the driver and one for the passenger.
List of fines for not wearing a helmet in different states
The helmet laws differ state-wise. Some of them are as below -
States | Penalties |
Uttar Pradesh | The fine for riding a two-wheeler without a helmet might be as much asRs.600. |
Uttarakhand | Laws have been changed by the state government to lower the fine for not wearing helmet fromRs.1000 toRs.500. |
Gujarat | The state government changed the legislation to lower the fine for failing to wear a helmet fromRs.1000 toRs.500. |
Karnataka | Rs.500 or/and disqualification of driving license for three months |
Kerala | The state had to withdraw the newly implemented rules due to the disagreement among the residents and the Trade Unions. It is aRs.500 fine for not wearing helmet. |
Maharashtra | Riders will have a fine of up toRs.1000, cancellation of their driving license, and/or do community service for three months. |
West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Telangana, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh | Users of two-wheelers without a helmet may adhere to the previous regulations and associated sanctions. It isRs.1000 fine. |
Bihar, Haryana, Tripura, Assam | Riders without a helmet will face all penalties as per the law. The law is to imposeRs.1000 fine, Driving License cancellation, and/or imprisonment up to 3 months. |
Conclusion
Even though India's helmet restrictions are intended to protect commuters, there has been considerable opposition to them. The riders' opinions were considered when some states changed the legislation while some added temporary provisions. The traffic rules protect you from significant damage done in road accidents. So, stay safe, follow the rules that are for your own good, and you will never have to pay fines.
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