Punjab's Motor Vehicle Ordinance proposes strict fines, jail terms

Details hefty fines ranging from Rs2000 to Rs50,000, with prison sentences going up to 6 months

The Fourth Amendment of the Provincial Motor Vehicles Ordinance 2025, which details hefty fines for traffic violations, has been approved by the Governor of Punjab.

It details hefty fines ranging from Rs2000 to Rs50,000, and with prison sentences going up to 6 months depending on the nature of the offense and its frequency.

The ordinance includes provisions such as making seat belts mandatory for both the driver and passengers. Other provisions are a prison sentence of up to 6 months and a fine of up to Rs50,000 for minors driving motor vehicles.

For having tinted windows, there will be a prison sentence of up to 6 months and a fine of up to Rs50,000. For driving without a fitness certificate prison sentence of up to 6 months and a fine of up to Rs50,000. A fine of Rs2000 will be imposed for riding a motorcycle without a helmet

Other clauses include

Driving without a driver's license:

• Motorcyclists will be fined Rs2,000,
• three-wheelers: Rs3,000,
• regular cars: Rs5,000,
• luxury cars: Rs10,000, and
• transport vehicles: Rs15,000.

For violating one-way traffic rules:

• Motorcyclists will be fined Rs2,000,
• three-wheelers: Rs3,000,
• regular cars: Rs5,000,
• luxury cars: Rs10,000, and
• transport vehicles: Rs15,000.

For habitual offenders, the penalty is up to 6 months in prison and a fine of up to Rs50,000.

Read: Punjab traffic police stress stricter fines aim to improve road safety

For violating zebra crossings:

• Motorcyclists will be fined Rs2,000,
• three-wheelers: Rs3,000,
• regular cars: Rs3,000,
• luxury cars: Rs8,000, and
• transport vehicles: Rs15,000.

For breaking traffic signals:

• Motorcyclists will be fined Rs2,000,
• three-wheelers: Rs3,000,
• regular cars: Rs5,000,
• luxury cars: Rs10,000, and
• transport vehicles: Rs15,000.

For speeding:

• Motorcyclists will be fined Rs2,000,
• three-wheelers: Rs3,000,
• regular cars: Rs5,000,
• luxury cars and transport vehicles: Rs20,000.

For driving with faulty lights at night:

• Motorcyclists will be fined Rs2,000,
• three-wheelers Rs3,000,
• regular cars Rs3,000,
• luxury cars Rs8,000, and
• transport vehicles Rs10,000.

For vehicles emitting excessive smoke:

• Motorcyclists will be fined Rs2,000,
• three-wheelers: Rs3,000,
• regular cars: Rs3,000,
• luxury cars: Rs8,000, and
• transport vehicles: Rs15,000.

The amendments were presented in the most recent session of the Punjab Assembly, and the ordinance has been forwarded to the relevant committee. Once approved by the Assembly, the ordinance will formally come into effect.