Hyderabad: Starting January 1, those found guilty of five or more traffic violations within a single year can now lose their driving licence.
This provision is part of an amendment to the national Motor Vehicles Rules introduced by the road transport ministry. It aims to curb the behaviour of habitual offenders and enhance road safety.
RTO, DTO Can cancel licence
The authority to suspend a licence under this rule rests with the relevant local licencing body, typically the Regional Transport Office (RTO) or District Transport Office (DTO).
However, before any suspension, the licence holder must be given a formal opportunity to present their case.
The official notification clarifies that the one-year period for counting these five offences is a rolling timeframe. Offences recorded in any previous one-year cycle will not be counted when assessing violations in a subsequent one-year period.
Other provisions
Previously, the rules listed 24 specific serious offences that could trigger licence disqualification. These included grave actions such as vehicle theft, assaulting or abducting passengers, dangerous speeding, overloading, and abandoning a vehicle in a public place.
The new “five offences” rule significantly broadens the scope as common everyday violations are also counted under the rule.
It means that repeatedly ignoring rules like not wearing a helmet or seatbelt, or jumping a red traffic signal, can accumulate and lead directly to the suspension of a driving licence.
