Traffic Rules in India: The Key Rules of the Road Explained

Traffic rules 10 points: the basics everyone should know

If you only remember ten traffic rules, make it these. Each one comes from the 2017 Driving Regulations or the Motor Vehicles Act.

1. Keep left. Drive as far as possible to the left of the carriageway and let oncoming traffic pass on your right (Regulation 4).
2. Stay in your lane. Signal before changing lanes and never cross a solid yellow or white line to overtake (Regulation 6).
3. Overtake from the right, and only when safe. Never overtake if it would get in the way of oncoming traffic (Regulation 14).
4. Stop at red. Stop before the stop line. On amber, stop unless you are already past the line or too close to stop safely (Regulation 12).
5. Give way where required. Stop at a STOP sign, give way at a GIVE WAY sign, and give way to traffic already inside a roundabout (Regulations 7 and 10).
6. Give way to pedestrians at uncontrolled pedestrian crossings, and never drive on footpaths or cycle tracks unless directed (Regulation 39).
7. Wear a seat belt or helmet. The driver must make sure everyone in the vehicle wears a seat belt where one is provided; motorcycle riders and pillion riders must wear a helmet (Regulation 5 and Section 129).
8. Do not hold a phone. A handheld phone may be used only for route navigation, and only in a way that does not distract you (Regulation 37, as amended from 1 October 2020).
9. Use the horn only to warn of danger. No continuous honking, and no horn in residential areas or silence zones (Regulation 23).
10. Make way for emergency vehicles. Move to the left and stop if needed, and stay at least 50 metres behind a vehicle using its siren or lights (Regulation 27).

Keeping left, lanes and overtaking

Regulation 4 says the driver "shall keep the vehicle as far as possible to the left of the carriageway". Keep left on bends, on hills and wherever your view is restricted. The left lane is meant for heavy or speed-restricted vehicles. Obey one-way signs and never drive against the flow of traffic.

Under Regulation 6 you must stay in your lane and signal before you change lanes. Do not drive on single or double solid lines or on painted islands, except to avoid an obstruction. Where a broken line runs next to a solid line, a driver on the broken-line side may cross to overtake and must then return.

When you may overtake

Regulation 14 says you normally overtake only from the right. Overtaking from the left is allowed only on multi-lane roads in a marked lane, when the vehicle ahead is signalling a right turn or U-turn from the centre of the road, or when it is stationary.

When you must not overtake

• When the traffic ahead is not clear, or where a sign prohibits overtaking.
• Across a continuous single or double solid line.
• On a bend or anywhere your view is blocked.
• At junctions, intersections and pedestrian crossings.
• Where the road narrows or on a narrow culvert.
• In signed School, Hospital or Construction Zones.

Regulation 33 lets motorcyclists filter between lanes in urban areas only where this is signed, on roads with a limit up to 40 km/h, and only if the speed difference is 15 km/h or less.

Junctions, roundabouts, traffic lights and hand signals

At a STOP sign, stop before the STOP line and enter the major road only when it is clear. At a GIVE WAY sign, give way to traffic on the road you are joining and move on carefully (Regulation 7). Slow down at every intersection. Unless lights, a police officer or a mandatory sign say otherwise, vehicles approaching from your right have right of way, except when you are leaving a minor road to join a major road. Never enter an intersection that is blocked (Regulation 9).

At a roundabout, traffic already in the roundabout has right of way. Choose the lane for your exit before you enter (Regulation 10). On narrow mountain or steep roads, a vehicle going downhill stops on the left to let the uphill vehicle pass (Regulation 21).

Traffic light rules in brief

• Red: stop before the stop line.
• Amber: stop, unless you are already past the line or too close to stop safely.
• Green: go only if the way is clear, and give way to pedestrians and vehicles already in the intersection.
• Flashing red: stop as for red, then go after giving way.
• Flashing amber: slow down and go with caution after giving way.
• Left turn on red: allowed after giving way to traffic from the right and to pedestrians and cyclists, unless a sign or device prohibits it.

Our traffic light rules guide covers arrows and flashing lights in more detail. Always obey a police officer or authorised person directing traffic (Regulation 13).

Hand signals

Regulation 11 describes hand signals for use when indicators are missing or not working:

Speed limits in India

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) set maximum speeds by S.O. 1522(E) dated 6 April 2018 under Section 112 of the Act. State Governments and UT administrations enforce them. The limits in km/h are:

Quadricycles are limited to 60 km/h on divided highways and 50 km/h on municipal and other roads. Three-wheelers are limited to 50 km/h on the roads listed for them.

Regulation 16 sets a lower ceiling of 25 km/h (or less if signed) near construction sites, schools and hospitals where signs show this, and on roads without footpaths where people walk on the carriageway. Regulation 17 asks you to keep a safe stopping distance and not to brake suddenly without reason.

Stopping, parking, horn and mobile phone rules

Where you must not stop

Regulation 22 lists places where stopping is not allowed, including a narrow road or one with an obstructed view, on or near a sharp bend, an acceleration or deceleration lane, on a pedestrian crossing or within 5 m before it, on a level crossing, within 5 m before a traffic light, GIVE WAY or STOP sign, at a bus stand (unless you are a bus), on a yellow box, and wherever a No Stopping sign applies.

Where you must not park

• Anywhere stopping is not allowed.
• On a main road, or where the notified speed limit is 50 km/h or more.
• On footpaths, cycle tracks or pedestrian crossings.
• Within 50 m before or after the edge of an intersection or junction.
• Near a bus stop, a school or hospital entrance, or blocking a traffic sign or fire hydrant.
• In a tunnel, in a bus lane, in front of a property entrance, or where a continuous yellow line is marked on the kerb.
• Double parking, parking beyond time limits, or in bays reserved for differently abled drivers.

Horn

Regulation 23 says "unnecessary use of horn is prohibited". Sound the horn only when you apprehend danger. Continuous or repeated honking is not allowed, horns are not allowed in residential areas or silence zones, and air horns or harsh multi-tone horns are not allowed.

Mobile phones and distractions

Regulation 37 says "the driver shall not use any hand held mobile phone or other communication device". Since 1 October 2020, a handheld device may be used only for route navigation, and only so that it does not distract the driver. Regulation 5 also bars loud music and watching videos other than navigation, and asks motorcyclists to keep both hands on the handlebar.

Helmets, seat belts and documents to carry

Regulation 5(7) says the driver must make sure that he and all other occupants wear seat belts where they are provided. Regulation 5(8) says a child up to 12 years must sit in a child restraint system where one is provided.

Section 129 of the Act, as substituted in 2019, requires every person above four years of age driving or riding a motorcycle to wear protective headgear that meets the prescribed standards. It does not apply to a Sikh wearing a turban. This version of Section 129 was brought into force by S.O. 691(E) dated 15 February 2022.

Under Regulation 31, two-wheelers use dipped headlights in daytime. All drivers dip their lights for oncoming traffic and use fog lights only in poor visibility.

Documents to carry

Regulation 38 says you must carry your driving licence, registration certificate, insurance, fitness, tax and PUC certificates and produce them on demand. Rule 139 of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules allows these to be produced in physical or electronic form, for example through DigiLocker or mParivahan. Our guide to driving licence download explains how to keep a digital copy.

Emergency vehicles, breakdowns and helping at accidents

Regulation 27 says emergency vehicles may use sirens and flashing lights only when responding to an emergency call. Other drivers must yield by moving to the left, as close to the kerb as practicable, and stop if needed. The order of priority is fire service, then ambulance, then police, then other vehicles the State designates. Keep at least 50 metres behind an emergency vehicle using its siren or lights.

If your vehicle breaks down, switch on the hazard lights. On fast roads, place warning triangles 50 m behind the vehicle (Regulation 28). Do not reverse on roads except briefly to turn, and never reverse into a one-way road (Regulation 18). Two-wheelers must not be towed, and a towed vehicle may move at no more than 25 km/h, with no more than 5 m between the vehicles and an "ON TOW" sign (Regulation 30).

At level crossings, trains have priority. Do not enter when the gates are closing or the signal is red (Regulation 19).

If you stop to help an accident victim, Section 134A protects you as a Good Samaritan: you are not liable to civil or criminal action for the injury or death of the victim unless it was caused by your own negligence while helping.

New traffic rules: what changed recently

People often search for new traffic rules for 2026. Here is what changed, and what is only reported in the news so far.

• 1 September 2019: enhanced penalties under the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019 came into force. See traffic fines for the full table.
• 1 October 2020: handheld phones allowed only for navigation, and documents validated electronically by an officer cannot be demanded in physical form.
• 15 February 2022: the helmet rule for riders above four years of age (Section 129) was brought into force.
• Children under four on motorcycles: Rule 138 was amended by a notification of 15 February 2022 so that a child below four must use a safety harness and a crash helmet, and the motorcycle must not go faster than 40 km/h. It took effect one year after publication.

Traffic rules for students and kids

Children and students meet traffic every day as pedestrians, cyclists and passengers. These are the rules that apply to them directly:

• No driving under 18. No person under 18 may drive a motor vehicle in a public place. Punjab Transport states that a motorcycle of up to 50cc may be driven from 16.
• Helmets from age four. Every rider above four years must wear a helmet. A child below four must use a safety harness and crash helmet.
• Seat belts and child seats. A child up to 12 years must sit in a child restraint system where one is provided.
• Parents are responsible. If a juvenile commits a traffic offence, the guardian or owner is deemed guilty under Section 199A, the vehicle registration can be cancelled for 12 months, and the juvenile cannot get a learner's licence or driving licence until age 25.

Simple road safety tips for kids

These are general safety habits, good for school charts and posters:

1. Walk on the footpath, and if there is none, walk carefully at the edge of the road.
2. Cross at a zebra crossing and look both ways before you step out.
3. Never run onto the road from behind a parked bus or car.
4. Wear your helmet every time you ride, even for short trips.
5. Wear your seat belt in the car and do not distract the driver.

Older students preparing for a licence can practise with our LL mock test and learn the road signs chart. More child-focused advice is on our road safety rules page.