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Drink Driving Fine in India: Penalty Under Section 185 (2026)
The penalty for drink driving in India is Rs 10,000 and/or 6 months imprisonment for a first offence; Rs 15,000 and/or 2 years for a repeat offence, levied under Section 185 of the Motor Vehicles Act 1988 as amended by the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act 2019. Driving with blood alcohol above 30 mg per 100 ml, or under the influence of drugs. Fines are enforced by state police and transport departments, and e-challans issued against the vehicle registration remain payable even after the vehicle changes hands.
Penalty at a glance
| Detail | Position under the Act |
|---|---|
| Offence | Drink Driving |
| Governing section | Section 185, Motor Vehicles Act 1988 |
| Amended by | Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act 2019, in force from 1 September 2019 |
| Penalty | Rs 10,000 and/or 6 months imprisonment for a first offence; Rs 15,000 and/or 2 years for a repeat offence |
| Enforcement | State police and Regional Transport Offices, including e-challan systems |
What the offence covers
Driving with blood alcohol above 30 mg per 100 ml, or under the influence of drugs. The 2019 amendment raised penalties across the Act sharply, in several cases by a factor of five or ten, with the stated objective of improving road-safety compliance. States may notify their own compounding amounts within the framework of the Act, so the figure collected at the roadside can differ from the maximum stated in the central legislation.
How this connects to your insurance
Motor policies exclude claims arising while driving under the influence, so both own-damage and liability protection can fall away entirely.
Paying and contesting an e-challan
- Check pending challans against your registration number on the Parivahan e-challan portal or your state traffic police site.
- Pay online through the portal, or in person at the traffic police office or a designated court, depending on how the challan was issued.
- Court-referred challans must be contested before the magistrate named on the notice; roadside compoundable offences can usually be settled directly.
- Keep the payment receipt. Unpaid challans attach to the vehicle record and surface during ownership transfer and re-registration.
- Some states run Lok Adalat sittings where pending challans can be settled at reduced amounts.
What to keep handy
Keeping four documents in the car prevents the most common challans:
- Your vehicle registration certificate (RC)
- A valid driving licence
- A current motor insurance certificate
- A valid PUC certificate
- Check pending challans on the Parivahan e-challan portal before you renew a policy
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fine for drink driving in India?
Rs 10,000 and/or 6 months imprisonment for a first offence; Rs 15,000 and/or 2 years for a repeat offence, under Section 185 of the Motor Vehicles Act 1988 as amended in 2019.
Can this fine be paid online?
Yes for compoundable offences. E-challans appear on the Parivahan portal and state traffic police sites against your registration number and can be paid there. Court-referred challans must be settled before the named magistrate.
Does an unpaid challan affect my insurance renewal?
It does not block renewal directly. It does attach to the vehicle record, which surfaces during ownership transfer and re-registration at the RTO.
Do fine amounts differ between states?
Yes. The Act sets the framework and maximum, and states notify their own compounding amounts, so the amount collected can vary between states for the same offence.
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Renew Your Motor Policy in 2 MinutesSources: Content based on information published by IRDAI, ARAI, MoRTH, Parivahan Sewa, General Insurance Council (GIC), and other relevant regulatory or industry sources, as applicable.
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