The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has revised the Motor Vehicles Rules to curb repeat traffic violations. Under the updated provisions, drivers committing five or more offences within a year will have their driving licences suspended for three months, according to a report by the Times of India.

The rules which have been in force nationwide since January 1, 2026 empower transport authorities, including Regional Transport Offices (RTOs) and District Traffic Offices (DTOs), to suspend or revoke licences.

How Are The New Rules Different From Old Rules?

- Under the older rules, only serious offences like vehicle theft, assault on passengers, kidnapping, overspeeding, overloading, or leaving a vehicle abandoned could lead to a suspension of your driving license.

- But under the new rules, even minor offences such as not wearing the helmet, seat belt or jumping a red light will be counted as a major traffic offence and can lead to suspension of the license.

- The drivers will, however, be given a chance to explain themselves in front of the authorities before their license is suspended.

- Under the new rules, each year will be treated as a separate year, and traffic violations from the previous year will not carry forward.

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Central Motor Vehicle Rules 2026

The MoRTH has also amended rules to promote electronic toll collection and prevent toll evasion:

- The changes have been notified as the Central Motor Vehicles (Second Amendment) Rules, 2026.

- Vehicle owners with unpaid toll dues will not be issued a No Objection Certificate (NOC), restricting the sale or interstate transfer of the vehicle.

- Renewal or issuance of a vehicle’s fitness certificate will be denied until all pending toll fees are cleared.

- Additionally, commercial vehicles with outstanding toll payments will not be given a national permit.