Traffic police rules in India - Things to remember if stopped by traffic police

Submitted by asandil on 3/8/2022

Every driver requested to be pulled over by a policeman at some point in their life. A traffic cop’s task is to stay traffic flow on the roadways as smooth as possible. Broken rules are ensured by traffic police. However, many folks are unaware of the aim behind the pull-over request. it’s the time to be mindful of one’s rights and keep calm.

At a traffic stop, what documents are required?

If you have ever traveled by car, you’ve probably been stopped by a policeman at some point. Getting pulled over by the cops doesn’t always indicate you’ve done something wrong. Occasionally, cops will steer a vehicle for a routine check to make sure that the driving force cop pulls you over; the primary thing they’ll do is check to ascertain if you’ve got all of your required car documentation.

If a policeman stops you in India, they’ll invite your license, though it’s best to stay all of your documents in your car. additionally , you want to maintain original copies of all documentation in your vehicle. the subsequent may be a list of documentation you ought to confine your automobile in the least times:

1. Registration Certificate (RC) of your car

A car registration certificate is proof of registration that is a vehicle register. Driving a automobile on the road or during a public location necessitates vehicle registration. it might be best to stay your RC with you while driving the maximum amount as your driver’s licence . When purchasing a replacement vehicle, you want to present all of the documentation required for your vehicle registration certificate. you’ll tend an RC book or a sensible card once the RTO office receives your documents. On the opposite hand, the RC could take a couple of days or months to arrive.

The following information are often found within the RC book:

  • Registration number of the vehicle
  • Date of registration
  • Number of the engine
  • Number of the chassis
  • The vehicle’s color
  • Vehicle Classification
  • Capacity of seats
  • Number of the model

2. Pollution in check (PUC) Certificate

Vehicle owners must have valid pollution in check (PUC) certifications to avoid penalties like a three-month suspension of their driver’s licence . Vehicle owners found without a legitimate PUC certificate may face imprisonment for up to 6 months or a fine of up to Rs. 10,000, or both, if caught. consistent with a public notice released by the transportation department, they’re going to even be barred from holding a driver’s licence for 3 months.

Vehicles are regularly tested for emission regulations for various pollutants like carbon monoxide gas and CO2 then awarded PUC certificates. The centers provide pollution-checking services and provides PUC certificates to vehicles that meet the specified pollution standards. The PUC certificate is now wiped out real-time and is linked to the car registration database.

This has increased the credibility of PUC certification by decreasing human participation and assisting in identifying polluting vehicles for appropriate checks for 2 and three-wheelers powered by gasoline or CNG is Rs 60. For four-wheeled vehicles, the fee is Rs 80.

The cost of a pollution certificate for a diesel vehicle is Rs 100. consistent with the Central automobiles Rules, 1989, every automobile (including people who suits BS-I/ BS-II/ BS-III/ BS-IV and cars that run on CNG/LPG) must have a legitimate PUC certificate after three months from the date of its first registration.

3. Driver’s License (DL)

Do you have the skills to place your driver’s licence in DigiLocker?

To keep up with the new and transformed Digital India, the govt of India has now introduced DigiLocker, which allows you to save lots of your official papers on the govt cloud system. DigiLocker portends a prosperous future for the country! what’s the mechanism behind it? What advantages does it offer? Continue reading to find out more!

What is a DigiLocker?

The Government of India launched DigiLocker to scale back the necessity to hold official documents in physical form with you everywhere you go. Citizens are going to be given 1GB of cloud storage once they register for a DigiLocker, which they will use to preserve all of their official documents, including their driver’s licence . Citizens of India can utilize the location to upload and share official documents with the Indian subcontinent’s registered authorities and agencies.

What are the benefits of using DigiLocker?

You can’t fail with a DigiLocker!

  • You wouldn’t need to carry your driver’s licence or other critical paperwork around with you all the time. Your DigiLocker online account will suffice!
  • There’s no got to remember your driver’s licence number any more . you’ll easily access all of your vital information by logging into your online account.
  • You will not be required to submit your information during a tangible form if you apply for other official documents, like your PAN card. Your official documents and data are often retrieved immediately from the info source by the department/official authority, saving some time and money.
  • On-the-spot document verification is now possible, as you’ll quickly recover your documents via the platform and cash in of QR scan technology for future use.

As everything can now be done through cloud storage and portals, the need for more and more physical and manual documents will decrease.

4. Automobile insurance Policy document

Getting automobile insurance may be a sort of protection. When an automobile is involved in an accident, the insurer ensures that the damages are fixed. If a complete loss occurs in extreme circumstances, the insurance firm pays the whole amount.

In fact, under the automobile Act of 1988, every owner of a vehicle that travels on public highways is required to get insurance. The policy should cover the quantity that the owner is liable for in an unfortunate accident. This is often because the car’s owner is legally obligated to reimburse for any unintentional death, bodily injury, or property damage. During this instance, the insurer would pay the quantity owing by the insured or the person whose vehicle was involved within the accident.

1988, Automobile Act

The automobiles Act governs the legal requirements for the following:

  • The registration of a vehicle
  • The vehicle owner’s driver’s licence
  • A car must have mandatory insurance

The Act requires only the third-party liability policy. If you’re caught driving a car without a minimum of third-party insurance , you’ll face the subsequent penalties:

  • A fine of Rs 1,000 is going to be imposed on you.
  • In other cases, you’ll even be sentenced to 3 months in prison.
  • Your driver’s licence could also be revoked.
  • Your vehicle’s registration might be revoked.

As a result, you want to follow the law and acquire an honest auto policy .

Why does one require automobile insurance?

There are various reasons for this, one among which is indemnity against unforeseen loss .

Decrease your financial liability:

Purchasing car insurance reduces your financial liability within the event of an accident—the consequences of damages to the extent of bodily injury that you simply or others experience are often minimized. a 3rd Party policy also protects you from legal costs.

Pay for the damages:

Indian roadways are unpredictably dangerous, and you never know what you will get struck by (literally). And believe us once we say that restoring an accident-damaged vehicle can soon become a money pit. As a result, automobile insurance protects you from such risks.

Pays for medical expenses:

In an accident, there’s an inexpensive risk that you simply will sustain injuries which will necessitate medical treatment. Cuts, bruising, and fractures are unavoidable consequences. As a result, automobile insurance also protects you from costly hospital bills.

It keeps you stress-free:

If you are not a confident driver, insurance will provide you peace of mind. Even for knowledgeable drivers, automobile insurance decreases the strain of driving on the highway.

What are the various sorts of automobile insurance?

In India, there are three sorts of car insurance:

Zero Depreciation Insurance

Car insurance with NO Depreciation Bumper to Bumper Insurance is another name for Zero Depreciation Insurance. It provides comprehensive coverage without taking under consideration the depreciation of your vehicle. within the event of an accident, your vehicle is going to be fully covered. When calculating the coverage amount, depreciation won’t be taken into account—zero Depreciation Insurance costs between 15% and 20%, quite a standard policy . For brand spanking new automobiles, a Zero Depreciation Policy may be a must-have.

Comprehensive car insurance

Comprehensive car insurance protects you from vehicle damage also because of the death of the driving force or passengers. Additionally, the insurance covers damage to a third-party vehicle, property, or person caused by the car.

Third-party car insurance , also referred to as Third-Party insurance , may be a sort of automobile insurance that protects (TLP)

Liability insurance for third parties provides only a limited level of protection. This type of automobile insurance solely protects you from the worth of damages caused by your vehicle to a different vehicle, property, or person.

What are the rights of traffic officers?

If a policeman has instructed you to tug over, you ought to do so and park your automobile on the side of the road. Also, confirm you’ve got all of the required documentation.

  1. You have the proper to inquire on why you were pulled over. But attempt to keep your cool and avoid stepping into a fight. If you think you’ve got a legitimate reason for acting the way you probably did , explain it to the officer while remaining calm. you’ll invite his forgiveness, and he may allow you to off with a warning.
  2. Don’t discuss your power or friendship with influential people.
  3. If the cop has taken your driver’s licence , you’ll pay the fine on the spot or at the police headquarters . If the fine isn’t paid, you’ll be served with a court summons. Failure to appear in court may result in a bench warrant being issued against you.
  4. Attempting to bribe the police isn’t an honest idea.
  5. You can be stopped by the police and asked to require a breath test. They are doing this once they suspect you of driving while drunk. you’ll be arrested if you refuse to simply accept the breath test without an honest reason. The breath test yields immediate findings. you’ll be allowed to go away if it’s determined that you simply haven’t exceeded the legal age . However, if you fail the breath test, you’ll be required to attend the police headquarters and do a final breath test before paying the fine. If the officer suspects you of being under the influence of medicine , they’ll ask you to require a drug test.
  • A policeman has the authority to request that you simply steer to see your documents or if there’s any suspicion.
  • In the event of a running infringement, like speeding or running a red light, the cop can take your vehicle.
  • A policeman has the authority to require your license if they think you of something. they’re required to acknowledge your request.
  • If you’re found to be under the influence of a prohibited substance, a policeman has the authority to arrest you without a warrant. ‘Drug’ or ‘substance’ or ‘alcohol’ is employed .

Nobody wants to return under the authorities’ radar when driving, whether beginner or experienced motorist. It is, nevertheless, occasionally inevitable to be stopped by the traffic cops. The overall norm is to treat the officer with respect and avoid becoming frightened. you’ll begin driving once the cops have left, as long as you remain calm and composed.

What are my rights if a policeman pulls me over?

In India, a commuter’s rights are as follows:

There are many misconceptions concerning the authority of traffic cops. There are tons of misconceptions about commuter rights. a number of the rights that a commuter should remember of are as follows:

  1. A policeman cannot revoke your driver’s licence unless you’ve broken the regulations. you’re jumping a red light at a traffic light , driving while intoxicated, overloading the car, and employing a telephone while driving are typical violations in India.
  2. If requested, you ought to be ready to provide your valid driver’s licence , pollution in check (PUC) certificate, and automobile insurance paperwork if you’ve committed a traffic offense.
  3. A policeman is going to be in uniform, with their name and belt number prominently displayed. make sure that only a uniformed officer sees your papers.
  4. If you do not vacate your vehicle, the police won’t tow it.
  5. If you are a woman and therefore the cops stop you after 6 p.m., you’ll invite a female officer to physically search your vehicle.
  6. You will not be forced out of your vehicle or have your car keys removed by the traffic cops.
  7. The traffic cops should use an e-challan machine or a challan book to seek out you. Without this, the cop isn’t ready to levy a fine.
  8. You will be taken to the police headquarters if you’ve broken the law and are arrested. you’ll be taken to court within 24 hours if you’re detained.
  9. On the road, the traffic police have complete authority. you ought to immediately follow their instructions.
  • If a policeman pulls you over, you’ll always request that they show you their identification. you’ll take down their buckle number or name, and if the buckle remains missing, you’ll inquire about their ID card. If the policeman refuses to point out your identification, you’ve got the proper to refuse handy over your documentation.
  • When a policeman asks for your documentation, you would like to supply your driver’s licence at that point , consistent with Section 130 of the automobiles Act. you’ve got complete control over whether or not you fork over the remaining documents.
  • If a policeman decides to confiscate your driver’s licence , ensure you’re given a correct receipt issued by the Traffic local department against your license.
  • The Traffic Police can’t tow your automobile away if there is a human inside. The car can’t be hauled away as long as someone is inside the vehicle.
  • If you think a policeman has harassed you, you’ll file a web complaint or attend your local police headquarters and explain what happened.
  • A policeman can only issue challans if they need a government-issued challan book or an e-challan generator with them.
  • If the policeman on the incident site may be a sub-inspector or higher, you’ll pay the challan on the spot.
  • A policeman cannot compel you to exit the vehicle or remove your keys from the ignition.

If you receive a traffic violation challan, what do you have to look for?

If you receive a prosecution slip, check to work out if it contains the subsequent information:

  1. Specifics of the crime
  2. The name and site of the court where you’ll be tried.
  3. The trial’s start date
  4. Vehicle information
  5. Your full name and address
  6. The police officer’s name and signature
  7. The police’s list of documents that are kept.

If you’re unsure, you’ll seek legal advice from an experienced attorney.

Is the car paperwork uploaded by DigiLocker valid in India?

According to a notice published by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highway, it’s permissible to hold your documents electronically. It must be accepted as a legitimate sort of paperwork.

In a circular dated 17.12.18, the ministry instructed all state transportation departments to acknowledge electronic copies of driver’s licenses and other required papers stored on the DigiLocker or mParivahan app as legitimate and like the first.

Note: Only documents stored and presented within the DigiLocker App or mParivahan App are considered legally recognized and valid. The other sort of snapshot crazy your phone also can get you in trouble.

Epilogue

Even though the police are in charge of maintaining peace and order, they can pull over and ask a few questions if they have suspicions about someone. People who are out close to midnight on the street might’ve been subjected to such interrogations by police. They may claim that they are doing this to protect you from other crooks.

Otherwise, cops stopping people at random is unjustifiable. Only cognizable offences can be arrested without a magistrate’s warrant, and there is a specified protocol for arrest that includes making written records and informing someone who knows the accused individual.

The latter is the bottom line, when requested by a policeman, virtual documents published on DigiLocker are legitimate, consistent with the Delhi Traffic Police. It further said that if the car driver commits a violation, they need to show the first text of the paperwork. The automobile Act was revised to incorporate heavy fines for traffic rule violations, increasing by 20 times.

So, you’re entirely incorrect if you think that displaying a clicked image of any document on your smartphone can prevent the matter . Therefore, the next time the cops pull you over, you’ll show them your documents from DigiLocker, and they’ll be valid. However, we recommend that you simply bring original copies of your paperwork with you to avoid any unpleasant situations, like breaking a traffic regulation.

We hope this information was helpful and that you now know what to do if you are pulled over.