Thiruvananthapuram: Riding without a helmet in Kerala will now attract more than just a ₹500 fine; offenders will also face a mandatory three-month suspension of their driving licence. Furthermore, the licence will only be reinstated after the offender attends a day-long safety training class conducted by the Motor Vehicles Department (MVD) and passes lessons on safe driving.

While the Central Motor Vehicles Act provides provisions to suspend driving licences for traffic violations, the suspension periods and mandatory training durations based on the severity of offences had not been uniformly structured in the state. To resolve this, a new official order has been issued outlining specific punishment terms for various traffic offences.

Under the new regulations, traffic offences under the Motor Vehicles Act have been categorised into 13 divisions.

  • Fatal accidents: Causing a fatality while driving under the influence of alcohol or driving recklessly will result in a one-year licence suspension and a mandatory five-day training course.
  • Causing grievous hurt: Accidents resulting in severe injuries will lead to a six-month suspension and a mandatory five-day training course.
  • Drunk driving, reckless driving, racing and unfit vehicles: Operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol, dangerous driving, street racing or taking a mechanically defective vehicle onto the road will incur a six-month suspension and a three-day training class.
  • Obstructing emergency vehicles: Blocking the path of ambulances or fire engines will result in a six-month licence suspension along with a one-day training class.
  • Over-speeding and overloading: Both offences will attract a three-month licence suspension. However, those caught overloading must attend a one-day class, while speed violators face a three-day class.

In all cases, the suspended driving licence will only be restored upon producing an official course completion certificate.

Previously, minor offences such as failing to wear a helmet did not typically result in licence suspension. However, given the widespread nature of these traffic violations, implementing the new training mandates poses a practical challenge for the department, as the state currently operates only three official training centres.