New Traffic Penalty Rules 2025: Centre’s Plan Sparks Concern Among Motorists The central government is gearing up to roll out a major plan to tighten traffic regulations across India. Aimed at bringing stricter control on violations, the move has left crores of vehicle owners on edge. Here’s what you need to know.
Buying a vehicle today isn’t easy – it takes hard work, savings, and sacrifice. But even after purchase, there’s a long list of rules: license, registration, insurance, pollution certificates, and more. Many people aren’t fully aware of these legal requirements, and as a result, are being fined without notice. Penalty challans are being issued against their vehicles, often without their knowledge. Now, the central government is preparing to take things a step further: vehicles with unpaid fines could soon be seized.
The Union Transport Ministry is proposing major updates to the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989. The new amendments aim to tighten enforcement around traffic violations, including challans, installment-based fine payments, and penalties for rule-breakers. One key proposal gives authorities the power to suspend driving licenses if a vehicle has five or more pending challans. The central government’s message is clear: settle your fines promptly – don’t let them pile up.
New Traffic Rule May Lead to Vehicle Seizure for Unpaid Challans. Until now, vehicle owners had up to 90 days to clear a traffic challan. But under a new proposal, that grace period may soon be slashed to 45 days. If the fine isn’t paid within that time, authorities will be allowed to seize the vehicle. And it doesn’t stop there – owners of seized vehicles won’t be able to sell them, renew registration, change address, or even transfer ownership.
The new proposals include automated systems that send e-challan notices within 15 days of a violation. Motorists will be alerted digitally, making it easier to track pending fines. But if these changes are enforced, lakhs of drivers may face hurdles – especially those not familiar with digital platforms.
The new proposal includes digital tracking of traffic violations. Motorists would receive an electronic notice within 15 days of a challan being issued. While this system aims to improve efficiency, it could also cause trouble for lakhs of drivers, especially those unfamiliar with digital alerts.
The Centre’s draft proposal has sparked a mixed response. Supporters believe tougher rules will improve road safety. Critics argue the challan system is riddled with corruption and false fines, questioning why governments aren’t penalised for bad roads. In 2024 alone, over 8 crore challans worth Rs 12,000 crore were issued nationwide.
Objections or suggestions on the draft can be sent to the Additional Secretary, Ministry of Road Transport, Delhi, or emailed to comments-morth@gov.in. These public inputs will help decide whether the proposed changes will be implemented.
