IndiaIndia

Drive on the left-hand side of the road and normally overtake on the right.

Call 112 for the nationwide Emergency Response Support System, which provides access to emergency assistance including police, fire and medical services.

Driving with a blood-alcohol concentration exceeding 30 mg per 100 ml of blood, equivalent to 0.3 g/l, falls under the drink-driving provision of the Motor Vehicles Act. The safest rule is not to drink alcohol before driving.

There is no single nationwide urban speed limit. The central maximum ceiling for an ordinary M1 passenger car on roads within municipal limits is 70 km/h, but states and road authorities commonly impose lower road-specific limits. Always follow the posted limit.

The national maximum ceiling for an ordinary M1 passenger car on an access-controlled expressway is 120 km/h. A lower limit may be imposed and displayed on a particular expressway or section.

For an ordinary M1 passenger car, the national maximum ceiling on a road with four or more lanes and a physical division between the carriageways is 100 km/h. Lower state or posted limits take precedence.

The central maximum ceiling for an ordinary M1 passenger car on roads not falling into the higher-speed expressway or divided-road categories is generally 70 km/h. Local authorities can impose lower limits, so road signs must always be followed.

No. India does not use a nationwide motorway vignette. Tolls are instead charged on particular National Highways, expressways, bridges and other designated road infrastructure.

FASTag is an electronic toll-payment system using RFID technology. The tag is attached to the vehicle and enables toll charges to be collected electronically at participating toll plazas.

Yes. Eligible non-commercial vehicles with a valid FASTag can opt for the FASTag Annual Pass at participating NHAI National Highway and National Expressway toll plazas. It is valid for 12 months or 200 toll crossings, whichever occurs first.

There is no general nationwide requirement for an ordinary car to use dipped headlights throughout every clear daytime journey. Modern two-wheelers covered by India's Automatic Headlamp On (AHO) requirements operate with their prescribed daytime lighting automatically.

Yes. Drivers and passengers must use seat belts as required. State governments can provide limited exemptions for specified classes of transport vehicle.

A child under 14 years old travelling in a motor vehicle must be secured by a safety belt or an appropriate child-restraint system. Unlike many European countries, the national Act uses an age threshold rather than one universal 135 cm or 150 cm rule.

Every person over four years old driving, riding or being carried on a motorcycle in a public place must normally wear prescribed protective headgear that is securely fastened, subject to limited statutory exceptions.

Special rules apply to children below four. A prescribed safety harness must be used, a child aged from nine months to four years must wear suitable protective headgear, and the motorcycle must not exceed 40 km/h while carrying a child up to four years old as a pillion passenger.

Using a handheld communication device while driving is treated as dangerous driving. Navigation equipment may be used only in a manner that does not distract the driver from safe control of the vehicle.

Drivers must first obey traffic signs, signals and any major-road priority. At an otherwise uncontrolled junction, approach cautiously and normally give way to traffic approaching from the right where no other priority rule applies.

Vehicles already circulating on the roundabout have priority over traffic entering it. Drivers must also obey any signals, signs or police directions controlling the junction.

Drivers must approach pedestrian crossings cautiously and give way to pedestrians using the crossing. Do not enter a crossing if doing so would endanger or obstruct pedestrians.

Generally yes. Under the national driving regulations, a driver may turn left on red after giving way to traffic approaching from the right and to pedestrians and cyclists crossing the driver's path, unless a traffic signal, sign or other traffic-control device specifically prohibits the left turn.

No. Drivers must not use the horn needlessly or continuously or where traffic signs prohibit horn use, including designated silence or no-horn areas.

Yes. Drivers must draw to the side and allow free passage to fire-service vehicles, ambulances and other designated emergency vehicles using their emergency warning equipment.

Indian vehicle rules provide for safety equipment including an appropriate warning triangle and first-aid kit, together with prescribed tools and vehicle-specific spare equipment. Exact requirements for items such as spare wheels, bulbs and tools depend on the vehicle's design and category.

Vehicles subject to India's in-use emission-testing requirements must have a valid Pollution Under Control Certificate (PUCC). The applicable testing and validity requirements depend on factors such as the vehicle, fuel type and emission standard.

There is no single written language or script used everywhere. Drivers may encounter road information in English, Hindi and the relevant state or regional language. The script can therefore change considerably when travelling between different parts of India.