How Many Traffic Violation Points Can Lead to License Suspension in India?

In India, the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019 introduced a point system for traffic violations to encourage safer driving and reduce accidents. If a driver accumulates a certain number of traffic violation points, their driving license may be suspended or revoked. The exact number of points required for license suspension depends on the severity of the violations and local regulations.

License Suspension for Traffic Violation Points:

Threshold for Suspension:

12 or More Points: Under the point system, if a driver accumulates 12 or more points within a period of 12 months, their license can be suspended. The suspension period varies depending on the region and the severity of the violations.

Some regions may have a stricter policy, where 12 points can lead to immediate suspension, while others may allow drivers to accumulate more points before suspension occurs.

Types of Violations and Points:

Points for violations range from 3 to 10 points based on the severity of the offense:

• Minor violations like not wearing a helmet or seatbelt typically result in 3 points.
• Major violations like speeding, rash driving, or driving under the influence can result in 5 to 10 points.

Accumulating multiple minor violations in a short period can add up quickly, while a few major violations can also lead to suspension.

Consequences of License Suspension:

• Temporary Suspension: If a driver accumulates 12 or more points, their license may be suspended for a certain period, depending on the local RTO’s regulations.
• Permanent Revocation: In extreme cases, especially after repeated violations, the license may be permanently revoked.
• Mandatory Re-Examination: Some drivers may be required to undergo a re-examination before their license is reinstated.

Appealing License Suspension:

Drivers have the right to appeal the suspension of their license. If a driver feels the points were unjustly assigned, they can appeal to the relevant authorities or contest the suspension in court.

Reduction of Points:

Drivers may also reduce points by attending road safety courses or through good behavior over time. Some regions allow for point reduction if no violations are committed over a certain period after the suspension.

Example:

A driver in Delhi accumulates the following points in a year:

• 4 points for speeding.
• 3 points for using a mobile phone while driving.
• 5 points for driving under the influence.

This gives the driver a total of 12 points in 12 months. As a result, their driver's license is suspended for a period by the Delhi RTO. The driver can appeal the suspension, but they may also need to complete a road safety course before their license is reinstated.

Conclusion:

In India, accumulating 12 or more traffic violation points within 12 months can result in license suspension under the point system. The points system aims to reduce traffic violations and improve road safety. Drivers should be aware of the points associated with common traffic violations and the consequences of accumulating too many points.