Maharashtra, also known as the Financial Capital of India, has Regional Transport Office rules for all vehicles governed by the Motor Vehicles Act of 1988 and the rules made by the Transport Department, Government of Maharashtra.
RTO rules in Maharashtra are similar to those in other parts of the country, but there are some things you need to understand, so make sure to stay to avoid any problems driving your vehicle on public roads in Maharashtra.
RTO Rules in Maharashtra
The RTO rules for plying a vehicle on public roads in Maharashtra are slightly different for private and commercial vehicles. We have discussed the rules and regulations for both below and also explained the consequences you may face if they are not followed.
Private Vehicle
Driving Licence:
- To drive a bike, scooter, or car, you must be of legal age, meaning you must be at least 18 years old and have a driving license.
- Driving without a driving licence could result in a fine of up to ₹5,000 per person, and if you’re driving rashly and not only don’t have a driving licence, your vehicle could also be impounded.
Helmet / Seat Belt:
- When riding a two-wheeler, you must wear a helmet, and if you have a passenger with you, they must also wear a helmet. When driving a car, seat belts are mandatory for all passengers.
- Failure to follow seat belt or helmet rules will result in a fine of 1,000 rupees. If a repeat violation is found, your license may be temporarily suspended for 6 months.
Vehicle Document:
- Whether you are driving a two-wheeler or a four-wheeler, you must have your driving licence along with other vehicle documents, including your registration certificate, pollution under control certificate and third-party insurance.
- If even one of the documents is missing, you may have to pay a penalty ranging from ₹500 to ₹2000. And if all the documents are not available, your vehicle will definitely be impounded until all the documents are provided.
Speed Limit & Traffic Signal:
- It’s mandatory to follow the speed limit and traffic rules. If your vehicle is caught violating the speed limit or jumping the signal, you will be fined.
- The penalty is ₹1,000 and ₹1,000 for the first offence of overspeeding and jumping the signal, respectively. If you’re caught repeating, you could be fined up to ₹5,000 to ₹10,000.
Mobile Phone:
- Using a mobile phone while driving is prohibited anywhere because it impairs the driver’s driving concentration, potentially leading to accidents.
- If you are found using a mobile phone while driving, you will be fined ₹5,000 or ₹10,000 in case of a repeat offender. If you cause an accident due to mobile use, your driving licence can be permanently cancelled.
Commercial Vehicle
Driving Licence:
- To drive a bus, truck, taxi, tempo, or any goods vehicle, you must have a commercial driving licence, not a private one.
- If a commercial driving licence is not available, you will be fined up to ₹5,000, similar to private vehicle rules.
- Repeat violations could result in your vehicle being impounded.
State/National Permit:
- Any commercial vehicle must have a permit to ply on public roads. If the vehicle has to move within a single state from one distance to another, then a state permit is required, and if it has to travel from one state to another, then a national permit is required.
- The penalty for not having the required permit is ₹10,000; and in some cases, the traffic police can even impound the vehicle. The need for impounding arises only when a vehicle of another state with a state permit has entered Maharashtra.
Overloading:
- All commercial vehicles, whether carrying passengers or goods, are required to not exceed the limit of carrying passengers or goods.
- Overloading will result in a fine of ₹2,000, plus an additional ₹1,000 for each additional tonne of weight or passenger.
- Goods vehicles can be seized until the overloading is removed. Passenger-carrying vehicles are let off with a warning, and if found doing so again, their vehicle is seized.
Fitness & PUC Certificate:
- All commercial vehicles must have a valid fitness certificate and a PUC certificate to ply on public roads in Maharashtra.
- For new commercial vehicles, the fitness certificate is valid for two years, and the pollution under control certificate is valid for one year; after that, they must be renewed every one year and six months, respectively.
- If the vehicle’s pollution-under-control certificate or fitness certificate is expired, then a fine of ₹5,000 to ₹10,000 can be imposed.
