Traffic Fines in West Bengal
- Author :
- TATA AIG Team
- ●
- Last Updated On :
- 01/02/2024
Known for its culture, food and countless heritage locations, West Bengal attracts tourists worldwide. This, of course, means more people and vehicles on the road. As a result, the state has imposed a comprehensive set of traffic rules and fines to maintain order and safety.
These rules and fines are put forth by the Motor Vehicles Act and upheld by the state’s Road Transport Offices (RTOs) and traffic police to ensure citizens follow these rules. The West Bengal traffic fines especially act as a deterrent, discouraging any type of reckless behaviour when on the road.
These fines can range from ₹500 to ₹10,000, depending on the severity of the traffic offence.
To help you avoid this, we have explained everything you need to know about traffic rules in West Bengal and their corresponding fines. Read on to ensure you stay informed as a state citizen.
New Traffic Rules in Kolkata
With an estimated population of 14 million, Kolkata is West Bengal’s most populous city and India’s third most populous city. To ensure order in this dynamic environment, the traffic rules in West Bengal have been updated to align with the new amendments of the MV Act.
These new rules were introduced to curb the state’s increasing number of road accidents and traffic violations – especially in cities like Kolkata. Listed below is the updated list of traffic rules in West Bengal for four-wheeler and two-wheeler drivers.
New Four-Wheeler Traffic Rules in Kolkata
Do Not Overspeed: This is the most common cause of road accidents. Driving at high speeds can cause you to lose control of your car when suddenly braking or swerving.
It could even cause your car to hydroplane in poorer weather conditions, which can be dangerous.
Always Wear Seatbelts: Both the driver and the passenger(s) must wear seatbelts when the car is in motion. Failing to do so can levy a fine of ₹1,000. The driver must also be over 18 years old and hold a valid driver’s licence.
No Texting While Driving: Never talk or text on your mobile while driving. Checking your phone even for a few seconds can distract you from paying attention to the road, leading to accidents and collisions, especially when driving in high-traffic cities like Kolkata.
Stick to One Lane: Do not change lanes abruptly or drive in a zig-zag pattern. It can disrupt traffic flow and cause road accidents. Only change lanes when necessary and use the proper hand signals and indicators to alert other motorists before doing so.
Carry the Necessary Paperwork: Traffic police sometimes pull you over for inspections when you violate a traffic rule. When this happens, they will ask for documents like vehicle registration, driver’s licence, car insurance certificate, PUC certificate, etc.
New Two-Wheeler Traffic Rules in Kolkata
Only One Pillion Rider: Do not ride your bike with more than one pillion rider. Overloading your bike can be dangerous and cause you to lose balance, leading to accidents.
Wear a Helmet: Both you and your pillion rider must wear helmets. It is an important piece of protective gear that can save you from head injuries during crashes, as most can be life-threatening.
The without helmet fine in West Bengal applies to the driver and the passenger, i.e., you will get fined if your passenger does not wear a helmet, even if you are wearing one.
Do Not Overspeed: Like cars, it is not safe to drive a high speeds over and above the speed limit. When suddenly breaking, it can cause your bike to skid and even eject you from your bike at higher speeds.
No Texting While Driving: Do not text or talk on the phone when riding your bike. It can interfere with your ability to control your bike and cause road accidents. When riding, both hands must be on your bike handles at all times.
Carry The Necessary Paperwork: Similar to car owners, bike owners must also present their bike insurance certificate, driver’s licence, PUC certificate, vehicle registration, etc. Failure to produce any of these documents can result in a WB traffic fine.
Updated West Bengal Traffic Fine List
| West Bengal Traffic Violation | Vehicle Type | Traffic Fine |
|---|---|---|
| Driving without a Fitness Certificate | Transport/Goods Vehicles | ₹10,000 |
| Overspeeding (related offences included) | Two/three/four-wheeler (LMV) | ₹1,000 (₹2,000 for repeat offences) |
| Driving without fastening the seat belt | Four-wheeler | ₹1,000 |
| Riding without helmet | Two-wheeler | ₹1,000 |
| For All vehicles | ||
| Driving/Riding without Driver’s Licence (DL) | ||
| Driving/riding without motor insurance | ||
| Pollution fine in West Bengal (driving without PUC certificate) | ₹2,000 | |
| Allowing a person to drive without DL/Allowing a minor to drive | ₹5,000 | |
| Driving without a valid permit (for commercial vehicles) | ₹10,000 | |
| Driving/riding when physically or mentally unwell | ₹1,000 (₹2,000 for repeat offences) | |
| Driving after a disqualification | ||
| Racing on public roads without permission from the relevant authorities | ₹5,000 (₹10,000 for repeat offences) | |
| Reckless driving | ||
| Using phone/earphones when driving/riding | ||
| Honking in a silent zone | ₹1,000 (₹2,000 for repeat offences) | |
| Vehicle not fitted with a proper horn or fitted with a harsh sound horn | ₹500 (₹1,500 for repeat offences) | |
| Violating traffic signal rules | ||
| Dangerous overtaking | ||
| U-turn related violations | ||
| Changing lanes without a signal | ||
| Disobeying orders from traffic authorities | ₹2,000 | |
| Violating road safety control, noise and air pollution rules | ₹10,000 | |
| Not stopping at the pedestrian crossing | ₹500 (₹1,500 for repeat offences) | |
| Riding on footpath | ||
| Defective number plate | ||
| Parking in a No Parking zone | ||
