All about helmet laws in India

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04 Aug 2023

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.

Visit Kotak General Insurance for More Information on Bike Insurance

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Team Kotak GIC

The content of this blog has been created and carefully reviewed by the esteemed team at Kotak General Insurance, with the sole purpose of providing valuable guidance and sharing insights on the importance of general insurance. Our objective is to assist users in making informed decisions when purchasing or renewing insurance policies for their cars, bikes, and health. Our expertly curated information aims to empower our readers with the knowledge they need to protect their valuable assets and financial interests.