Mobile Phone Use While Driving
Using a handheld phone while driving: ₹5,000 fine + possible 6-month licence suspension.
Holding or using a mobile phone while driving is illegal and attracts a ₹5,000 fine. Hands-free calling in earphones is restricted in several states. Distraction from phones causes thousands of deaths per year.
Penalty Under Law
₹5,000 (Sec. 184). Delhi: additional 6-month licence suspension. Some states: vehicle impoundment.
Legal Source
MV Act Sec. 184; CMVR Rule 21A
What the Law Says
Section 184 MV Act prohibits driving in a manner dangerous to the public. CMVR Rule 21A specifically prohibits the use of a handheld mobile telephone while driving. The 2019 MV Amendment made it explicit that using a mobile phone while driving — including texting, reading, or calling — is "dangerous driving" under Sec. 184, attracting a ₹5,000 fine (up from ₹1,000). Delhi additionally imposes a 6-month DL suspension.
💡 Why This Rule Exists
Research by the Transport Research and Injury Prevention Centre (TRIPP) at IIT Delhi shows that phone use while driving increases crash risk by 4x — equivalent to driving at blood alcohol 0.08%. Reaction time increases by 0.5 seconds. At 60 km/h, that 0.5-second delay means the vehicle travels an extra 8 metres before the driver reacts. Visual distraction means eyes are off the road for 4–5 seconds per text.
Key Facts
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Even glancing at a phone for 2 seconds while driving at 60 km/h = 33 metres driven blind.
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Hands-free kits: legal in India nationally, but some states restrict even hands-free calls. Check state-specific rules.
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GPS navigation on dashboard mounts: permitted (not hand-held) but attention should remain on road.
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Traffic light use of phone: still technically illegal if the engine is running (vehicle in public place = driving offence).
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Using phone while riding a two-wheeler: same ₹5,000 penalty.
⚠️ Common Violations
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Using phone at red lights ("it's stopped, not moving").
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Texting or browsing while driving in heavy traffic.
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Reading maps while driving.
Frequently Asked Questions
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More Prohibitions Rules
Drunk Driving — Zero Tolerance Rules
India's legal blood alcohol limit is 30 mg per 100 ml — one of the world's strictest. First offence: ₹10,000 + 6 months jail. Repeat: ₹15,000 + 2 years. A police breathalyser test is legally valid evidence.
₹10,000 + 6 months imprisonment (first)
Racing and Speed Trials on Public Roads
Street racing and speed trials on public roads are criminal offences under Sec. 187 MV Act — ₹5,000 fine + 1 year imprisonment. Third parties killed by racing drivers face serious criminal charges.
₹5,000 first offence + up to 3 months imprisonment
Overloading of Vehicles — Passengers and Goods
Vehicles must not carry more passengers or goods than their registered capacity. Overloaded trucks face ₹20,000 + ₹2,000 per extra tonne. Overloaded buses with passenger deaths face criminal charges.
Passenger overloading: ₹200 per extra passenger (Sec
Two-Wheeler Specific Prohibitions
On a two-wheeler: no triple riding, both rider and pillion must wear ISI helmets, pillion must ride with both feet on the pegs, and no minor who cannot reach the foot pegs should be carried.
Triple riding: ₹1,000 + 3-month licence disqualification (Sec