Drinking and Driving Fine in India (State-Wise Penalties 2025)

The rate of road traffic accidents has significantly increased in India, with drunk driving being one of the significant causes behind it. Drunk driving not only threatens the life of a driver but also jeopardises the lives of pedestrians. The Indian Government has taken serious steps against this serious offence to reduce the incidence of drunk driving by penalising the offenders. 

Therefore, having an understanding of the traffic rules and regulations regarding the permissible alcohol limits while driving will help you avoid any penalty due to drunk driving. 

What is Drunk Driving?

Under Section 185 of the Motor Vehicles Act 1988, it is mentioned that if the blood alcohol concentration level of the driver riding a two-wheeler or a four-wheeler is more than 30 mg per 100 ml, the driver is considered to be drinking and driving. 

Drunk driving is regarded as a serious penal offence in India and might result in the suspension of your driving licence. 

How is Drunk Driving Detected?

Traffic police conduct late-night checks using a breath analyser that helps them measure the Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) by analysing only a breath sample from the driver. If the level exceeds the permissible alcohol limit, the traffic police take further steps. Other signs, such as unsteady movements and slurred speech, are also assessed. 

When the offender is uncooperative or denies the fact that he is drunk, a blood test may also be conducted to confirm the level of alcohol in the blood. If the results exceed the legal limit, the offender is either issued a challan or imprisoned, depending on the situation. 

State-Wise Drinking and Driving Penalty in India 2025

According to recent regulations, the penalty for drunk driving in India starts at ₹10,000 for first-time offenders. However, the amount of penalty gets influenced by various factors such as:

1. A repeated offender might face licence suspension or jail time.
2. A higher level of alcohol in the blood results in an increased penalty amount. 
3. The situation might get out of control if the offender refuses to comply with the authority present. 

Hence, it is crucial to stay informed about the state-specific rules and regulations, along with the associated penalties. Go through the following section to learn about the drinking and driving penalties for different states: 

Kerala

Kerala strictly enforces the drink and drive penalty, which ultimately results in fewer road accidents:

• ₹10,000 for a first-time offender
• ₹15,000 for a repeated offender 

In the majority of cases, a person repeatedly committing drunk driving is subject to suspension of their driving licence. Units from Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi conduct late-night checks in urban areas with active nightlife and during the tourist season. 

A Blood Alcohol Concentration of the driver exceeding 30 mg per 100 ml results in the driver’s arrest for drinking and driving. 

West Bengal

The government of West Bengal follows a clear and strict rule for offenders of drinking and driving:

• ₹10,000 for first-time offenders 
• ₹15,000 for repeated offenders

Severe situations might result in suspension of the offender’s driving licence. Kolkata Traffic Police conducts regular checks on major roads and near areas where nightlife is comparatively more active. These checks have significantly reduced the incidence of drunk driving while promoting responsible behaviour among citizens. 

Gujarat

Although known as the dry state, putting a complete ban on alcohol sales and consumption, Gujarat still faces cases of drinking and driving. The Government of Gujarat promotes road safety by implementing the following penalty structure:

• ₹10,000 for first-time offenders 
• ₹15,000 for repeated offenders

The big cities, such as Ahmedabad, have increased security checks near significant events where alcohol may be present, utilising special permits. These efforts by the police and the government aim to discourage drunk driving, which can have serious consequences. 

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu follows a strict penalty structure when it comes to drinking and driving regulations:

• ₹10,000 for first-time offenders 
•  ₹15,000 for repeated offenders

Chennai and Coimbatore traffic police have increased their vigilance at night to catch offenders committing drunk driving. The checks increase during holidays and significant events to curb the growing number of road accidents due to drinking and driving. 

Maharashtra

The Maharashtra government aims to curb the incidence of drunk driving by implementing the following penalty structure:

• ₹10,000 for first-time offenders
• ₹15,000 for repeated offenders

Severe violation of section 185 results in suspension of the driver’s licence for up to 3 months. High-alert cities like Mumbai and Pune face regular checks, especially during holidays and weekends when people are more prone to being intoxicated. 

Karnataka

Traffic authorities have imposed a hefty fine on drinking and driving offenders as follows:

• ₹10,000 for first-time offenders
• ₹15,000 for repeated offenders 

Repeated offenders or those who commit severe violations of the drinking and driving regulations may face suspension of their driving licence. Big cities like Bangalore face a high incidence of drinking and driving late at night, which is tackled by the traffic police through surprise checks using CCTV cameras and breath analysers. 

Delhi

Being the capital, Delhi enforces strict laws to manage drunk driving, using the following penalty system:

• ₹10,000 for first-time offenders 
• ₹15,000 for repeated offenders

In the event of repeated violation of Section 185, the offender may face suspension of their licence for up to 6 months. Delhi has also implemented a vast surveillance network to manage the situation:

• CCTV monitoring at checkpoints near the busy zones
• Surprise checks using a breath analyser by the Delhi police 

Rajasthan

Rajasthan is renowned as a hub of culture and tradition, making it one of the most popular tourist destinations in India. Hence, the government practices strict traffic rules to maintain safety and order on the road. The penalty fee for drunk driving is:

• ₹10,000 for first-time offenders
• ₹15,000 for repeated offenders

In some severe cases, the driver’s licence might also be suspended. The Jaipur Police are known for conducting surprise overnight checks near events and large gatherings, as well as at highway entry points. Repeated offenders are now penalised using digital monitoring systems as an effort to curb the growing incidence of drinking and driving. 

Telengana

Telangana is very strict with its traffic rules and regulations, which aim to reduce unsafe driving and provide a peaceful environment for residents. The challan fee is:

• ₹10,000 for a first-time offender 
• ₹15,000 for a repeated offender

Repeated violations may result in the suspension of the driver’s licence. Currently, there is a rise in the number of night-time checks by the traffic police in Hyderabad, which are commonly conducted near:

• Weekend gathering spots
• IT hubs
• Event venues

People in Telangana are advised to drink within legal limits to avoid the issuance of challans and further complications. 

Uttar Pradesh

Uttar Pradesh promotes road safety by curbing unsafe drunk driving through the following penalty structure:

• ₹10,000 for first-time offenders
• ₹15,000 for repeated offenders 

A driver’s licence might get suspended in severe cases. Breath analysers are used in popular cities like Lucknow and Kanpur to conduct regular checks, especially late at night. The checkpoints include highway traffic junctions that discourage driving while intoxicated, thereby helping to maintain road safety. 

Motor Vehicles Act for Drunk Driving

Section 185 of the Motor Vehicles Act covers cases related to drinking and driving. In 1988, the challan fee was ₹2,000, which was increased to ₹10,000 after being amended in 2019. As per this law, the first-time offenders exceeding the legal limit of BAC are punishable with:

• Fine of ₹10,000, or
• Imprisonment up to 6 months

And, for a second offence within a time period of three years:

• Fine of ₹15,000
• Imprisonment up to 2 years
• Licence suspension

This law also empowers the traffic police to seize both the licence and the vehicle, if necessary. 

What Happens After Being Caught While Drinking and Driving?

If you are asked to pull over for suspicion of drinking and driving, the on-duty traffic police officer will administer a breathalyser test. If found guilty of drinking and driving, a challan is issued on the spot or the offender is taken to the police station for further action. 

Suppose the BAC level of the offenders turns out to be excessively high, or they have shown inappropriate behaviour towards the on-duty officer, their licences are temporarily seized, and they must appear in court for a hearing. 

How to Pay the Fine for Drink-Driving?

The majority of drink-and-drive cases are now issued digitally. Hence, the offender receives an e-challan, which can be settled through the following process:

• Step 1: Visit the official Parivahan e-challan website. 
• Step 2: Fill in the required details, such as the vehicle registration number or the challan number.
• Step 3: Verify the details shown on the screen and click on ‘Pay Now’.
• Step 4: Select a suitable payment method, such as UPI or Net Banking. 
• Step 5: Download and save the e-challan payment receipt. 

How to Avoid a Drinking and Driving Fine?

Drinking and driving is a grave offence which results in a hefty fine or, worse, loss of life. Hence, go through the following tips to avoid paying a fine for drunk driving:

• Plan properly and make arrangements, such as booking a cab or staying over at a friend’s, if you are going to drink. 
• Book a known driver who will take you home safely while you are drunk. 
• Consume alcohol under permissible limits if you are bound to drive.

Summary

Drinking and driving not only breaks the law but also puts the lives of pedestrians as well as the drivers at risk. Therefore, the Indian government has taken strict action against this crime to reduce unnecessary deaths due to reckless driving. The bottom line is that people should be responsible enough to avoid drinking and driving because no amount of fun or money is worth a human life.  

FAQs About Drinking and Driving Fines in India