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Not wearing a helmet while driving

Last updated on Apr 8, 2022

Anyone who drives a two-wheeler motorcycle has to wear a helmet or protective headgear (( Section 129, The Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.)). Further, every person, including children above 4 years of age1, who is riding the two-wheeler motorcycle must also wear a helmet. This headgear must have two features1:

  • It can be reasonably expected to provide a degree of protection from injury in case of an accident. 
  • It is securely fastened to the head of the wearer (such as, by straps).

Only Sikh people who are wearing a turban and women need not compulsorily wear a helmet1. However, this exception varies across states. 

If you do not wear a helmet while driving, you will be punished with a fine of at least Rs. 1,000 and you will be disqualified from holding your license for 3 months2. The applicable fine amount might vary across states. 

Given below are the fine amounts for two states:

State Fine Amount (In INR)
Delhi 1,000
Karnataka 500
  1. Section 129, The Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. [↩] [↩] [↩]
  2. Section 194D, The Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. [↩]

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