Drink & Drive Fines in India

Posted on: May 16, 2025 | 3 mins | Written by: HDFC ERGO Team

Drink & Drive Fines in India

Drunk driving remains one of the less frequently committed offences in India, yet it continues to be a major cause of road accidents across the country. Disturbingly, this violation seems to be getting worse. The Government of India has implemented strict enforcement measures to penalise offenders and deter incidents of drunk driving. The riders must be fully aware of the consequences of this offence.

Although your comprehensive bike insurance will cover damages and medical expenses, accidents resulting in unfortunate fatalities can have irreversible consequences that no insurance can truly compensate for.

What is Drunk Driving?

According to Section 185 of the Motor Vehicles Act 1988, riding a two-wheeler or driving a four-wheeler when intoxicated with a blood alcohol concentration greater than 30 mg/100 ml is considered drunk driving. This is a clear violation of the traffic law.

How Do Traffic Police Detect Drunk Driving?

Drunk driving is typically detected by traffic police during roadside checks using a breathalyser, which measures the Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) from a breath sample. If the BAC exceeds the legal limit, further action is taken. Police may also assess visible signs like slurred speech or unsteady movement. In some cases, a blood test may be conducted for accurate alcohol level confirmation. If found guilty, the driver/rider will be issued a challan and/or have to serve a jail term.

Latest Drunk Driving Penalty in India

For a first-time offence, the maximum fine can go up to ₹10,000, along with imprisonment for up to six months, as per the latest penalties effective from 1 March 2025. Repeat offenders may face a higher fine of ₹15,000 and/or imprisonment for up to two years. These stringent penalties are designed to discourage irresponsible driving and promote safer roads across the country.

Drunk Driving- Impact on Bike insurance

Creating a bike accident while riding under the influence can nullify comprehensive as well as third party bike insurance claims. All insurers treat this as an extreme breach of contract and any negative repercussions stemming from this will not be covered.

Final remarks

Drunk driving endangers not only your life but also the lives of others on the road. That's why it's essential to drive responsibly and avoid such risky behaviour. Even if you have scooter insurance — your insurer may reject your claim if the accident occurs under the influence of alcohol, as it's a clear violation of the law. To stay protected, ensure you have a solid insurance plan and always follow traffic rules.

Disclaimer: The above information is for illustrative purposes only. For more details, please refer to the policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.

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