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Traffic Fines and Rules in Kerala: List of Rules and Fines for Violations

Team AckoMar 8, 2024

Kerala, also called the “God’s Own Country”, is known for its rich landscape, serene beaches and mesmerising backwaters. However, with the booming tourism industry, the number of vehicles on the road is growing at a rapid pace. Unfortunately, it has contributed to the increased traffic violations across the state. The introduction of new traffic rules and fines came in as a measure to address this issue. Read on as we give you an insight into the updated traffic fines in Kerala, along with the new rules and regulations.

Contents

Updated List of Traffic Violations and Fines in Kerala
New Traffic Rules in Kerala
- Traffic rules for four-wheeler drivers in Kerala
- Traffic rules for two-wheeler riders in Kerala
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Updated List of Traffic Violations and Fines in Kerala

Vehicle owners/drivers in Kerala need to respect and follow the traffic rules and regulations for the safety of road users and smooth traffic flow. However, the exponential growth of vehicles on the road has led to increased traffic violations nationwide. The Indian government passed The Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act 2019 to address this problem. The new act introduced stricter rules and increased traffic fines to discourage traffic-related offences.

The authorities in Kerala introduced the same set of rules of regulations with a significant increase in traffic fines. However, on October 24, 2019, the authorities decreased the penalties for some of the traffic offences to decrease the burden on road users in Kerala. But the penalties for certain serious violations remain the same.

The following table lists the traffic fines in Kerala and the new traffic rules and violations.

Traffic violation	Vehicle type	Penalty (in Rs.)
Driving or riding a vehicle without a valid Driving Licence (DL)	All vehicles	5,000
Driving or riding a vehicle without valid insurance (at least third-party insurance)	All vehicles	2,000 and/or up to 3 months of imprisonment (4,000 and/or up to 3 months of imprisonment for repeat offence)
Driving or riding a vehicle under the influence of intoxicating substances	All vehicles	10,000 and/or up to 6 months of imprisonment (15,000 and/or up to 2 years of imprisonment for repeat offence)
Driving a vehicle without wearing a seatbelt	Four-wheeler	500
Riding a vehicle without wearing a helmet	Two-wheeler	500
Exceeding the speed limit while driving a vehicle	Four-wheeler (LMV)	1,500
Speeding and racing while driving or riding a vehicle	All vehicles	5,000
Exceeding the speed limit while driving a vehicle	Medium heavy vehicle	3,000
Driving or riding a vehicle while using a mobile phone (handheld)	All vehicles	2,000
Driving or riding a vehicle in a physically/mentally unfit state	All vehicles	1,000 (2,000 for repeat offence)
Driving or riding a vehicle after disqualification	All vehicles	10,000
Unauthorised use of vehicle without a valid DL	All vehicles	5,000
Obstructing the free flow of traffic	All vehicles	500
Not giving way to emergency vehicles (ambulance, fire fighting vehicle, etc.)	All vehicles	5,000

New Traffic Rules in Kerala

The new traffic rules in Kerala brought stricter rules, new violations and increased penalties for some serious offences. It was done to control the increasing number of traffic violations in the state. The new rules make people conscious when they drive/ride a vehicle on roads, as offences attract harsh penalties. The following sections highlight the updated traffic rules and violations in Kerala.

Traffic rules for four-wheeler drivers in Kerala

Always wear a seatbelt while driving a car or any other four-wheeler. All the passengers inside the vehicle also need to wear seatbelts when the vehicle is on the move. It is a crucial safety feature that can save you from fatal injuries during an accident. Failing to follow this rule can attract a Kerala RTO fine.
Never drive your vehicle over the speed limit of a particular road. Overspeeding can lead to accidents, and it is one of the severe traffic offences. Failing to abide by this rule can result in an Overspeed fine in Kerala.
Never drive your vehicle in an inebriated state. Simply put, do not get behind the wheel under the influence of intoxicating substances such as alcohol, drugs, etc. Doing so can put your life, as well as other road users’ life, at risk. Flouting this rule can attract harsh penalties from Kerala traffic police.
Do not drive your vehicle without a valid motor insurance plan. You must have at least third-party insurance to drive a vehicle on roads legally. Not following this rule means you are going against the law, which can attract hefty Kerala vehicle fines.
Always carry the mandatory documents when driving a vehicle in Kerala. You must be able to produce these documents whenever the authorities demand them during verification. Failing to produce the mandatory vehicle and driver-related documents can attract Kerala vehicle fines.

Traffic rules for two-wheeler riders in Kerala

Always wear a helmet when riding a two-wheeler. Even the pillion rider needs to wear a helmet. It's for riders' safety as helmets can safeguard you from fatal head injuries in case of a fall. Violating this rule can lead to motor vehicle fines in Kerala.
Do not ride your two-wheeler aggressively, as it can lead to accidents. Also, do not get involved in road racing, performing stunts or any such activities while riding on roads. Doing so can result in harsh Kerala vehicle fines.
Never overload the two-wheeler. In other words, do not ride with more than two persons, including the rider. Doing so can compromise the vehicle's handling, leading to an accident. Violation of this rule attracts hefty traffic fines.
Do not use mobile phones or hands-free devices while riding a two-wheeler. It can cause distraction. It is also one of the most common reasons for road accidents. Disregarding this rule can result in you facing severe traffic penalties.
Carry all vehicle and driver-related documents, while riding a two-wheeler in Kerala. You should be able to produce these documents whenever the authorities stop your vehicle for a general inspection. Violation of this rule can attract Kerala vehicle fines.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some of the most common questions and their answers related to traffic fines in Kerala.

How can I check vehicle fine details in Kerala?

You can visit the official website of the Kerala Police to check the Kerala motor vehicle fine details. You can enter the vehicle registration number to check for the same. You can also visit the Parivahan e-Challan portal to check traffic fines in Kerala. Alternatively, you can download the ACKO mobile app to find out the same.

Why should I wear a seatbelt while driving in Kerala?

A seatbelt is critical safety equipment that can protect you from fatal injuries during an accident. Hence, it is mandatory to wear a seatbelt as per traffic rules and regulations. Failing to do so can result in traffic fines.

What is the fine for riding a bike without wearing a helmet in Kerala?

The traffic fine for riding a bike without wearing a helmet in Kerala stands at Rs. 500.

How can I pay traffic fines in Kerala?

You can log on to the official website of Kerala Police or the Parivahan e-Challan portal to pay the pending traffic fines in Kerala. You can make the payment through the available online payment methods.

What happens if I drive a vehicle without a valid DL in Kerala?

You can face harsh penalties for not possessing a valid Driving Licence to drive a vehicle in Kerala.

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Disclaimer: The information mentioned on this page is sourced from government websites and other platforms on the internet. They are subject to change depending on government notifications.