IndiaIndia
Traffic rules
India
1. India
India stretches across South Asia from the Himalayas to the Indian Ocean, with the Arabian Sea to the west and the Bay of Bengal to the east. Traffic drives on the left. Its enormous size creates sharply different driving environments, including dense mixed traffic in major cities, long intercity highways, desert roads in the west, mountain routes in the Himalayas and seasonal disruption during the monsoon. India is highly multilingual, so written road information may appear in English, Hindi and regional languages, with the language and script changing as drivers travel between states.
India does not use a nationwide motorway vignette. Many National Highway and expressway tolls are collected electronically through FASTag, and eligible non-commercial vehicles can also use an annual FASTag pass at participating National Highway and National Expressway toll plazas. Speed regulation is unusually decentralised: national rules establish maximum speed ceilings, including up to 120 km/h for an ordinary car on an access-controlled expressway, but state governments and road authorities can impose lower limits. Following the posted speed limit is therefore particularly important when driving between different parts of India.
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What is the alcohol limit for driving in India?
Driving with a blood-alcohol concentration exceeding 30 mg per 100 ml of blood, equivalent to 0.3 g/l, falls under the drink-driving provision of the Motor Vehicles Act. The safest rule is not to drink alcohol before driving.
🔗 indiacode.nic.in • India Code, Motor Vehicles Act 1988, section 185 (read with the 2019 amendment)
🔗 comtransport.assam.gov.in • Assam Transport, official drink-driving guidance
What speed limits apply to passenger cars in India?
Built-up areas: There is no single nationwide urban speed limit. The central maximum ceiling for an ordinary M1 passenger car on roads within municipal limits is 70 km/h, but states and road authorities commonly impose lower road-specific limits. Always follow the posted limit.
Expressways: The national maximum ceiling for an ordinary M1 passenger car on an access-controlled expressway is 120 km/h. A lower limit may be imposed and displayed on a particular expressway or section.
Divided roads: For an ordinary M1 passenger car, the national maximum ceiling on a road with four or more lanes and a physical division between the carriageways is 100 km/h. Lower state or posted limits take precedence.
Other roads: The central maximum ceiling for an ordinary M1 passenger car on roads not falling into the higher-speed expressway or divided-road categories is generally 70 km/h. Local authorities can impose lower limits, so road signs must always be followed.
Are seat belts compulsory in India?
Yes. Drivers and passengers must use seat belts as required. State governments can provide limited exemptions for specified classes of transport vehicle.
🔗 cdnbbsr.s3waas.gov.in • Indian Government Gazette, Motor Vehicles (Driving) Regulations 2017
Can you use a mobile phone while driving in India?
Using a handheld communication device while driving is treated as dangerous driving. Navigation equipment may be used only in a manner that does not distract the driver from safe control of the vehicle.
🔗 traffic.delhipolice.gov.in • Delhi Traffic Police, helmet offences under the Motor Vehicles Act
How must children be secured in a car in India?
Section 194B of the Motor Vehicles Act requires a child under 14 to be secured by a safety belt or a child-restraint system. Choose a suitable child restraint where the adult belt does not fit the child correctly.
🔗 sansad.in • Indian Ministry of Road Transport, Section 194B and child restraints
Are motorcycle helmets compulsory in India?
Motorcycle riders and pillion passengers must wear the prescribed protective headgear, subject to the statutory exemptions. The helmet rule applies to the passenger as well as the rider; carrying a helmet is not a substitute for wearing it.
🔗 traffic.delhipolice.gov.in • Delhi Traffic Police, helmet offences under the Motor Vehicles Act
