MotorwayIndia
Traffic rules
India
1. Motorway
A motorway is a road specially designed and signposted for motor traffic. Motorways normally have separate carriageways for opposing traffic, controlled access through designated entrances and exits, no direct access to neighbouring properties, and no level crossings with other roads, railways or paths.
Special traffic rules apply on motorways. The permitted road users, speed limits, lane rules, tolls and emergency procedures vary between countries, so drivers must follow the local traffic signs and regulations.
How do people refer to a high-speed road in India?
The national speed rules use access-controlled expressway for the relevant high-speed road category. A national highway or ordinary divided highway does not automatically belong to that category.
🔗 morth.gov.in • India — S.O.1522/2018, road and vehicle categories; 2026 parliamentary speed table
🔗 morth.gov.in • MoRTH — GSR 38(E), 15 January 2024, clause 12: indirect-vision devices
🔗 pib.gov.in • PIB/MoRTH — official confirmation of the 2020 driving-regulation amendment
🔗 pib.gov.in • PIB/NHAI September 2026 — Rajmargyatra services, FASTag and Emergency Helpline 1033
What speed limit applies to cars on an expressway in India?
For an M1 passenger vehicle, with no more than eight passenger seats in addition to the driver’s seat, the national maximum on an access-controlled expressway is 120 km/h. Lower local or posted limits apply where established.
🔗 morth.gov.in • India — S.O.1522/2018, road and vehicle categories; 2026 parliamentary speed table
🔗 morth.gov.in • MoRTH — GSR 38(E), 15 January 2024, clause 12: indirect-vision devices
🔗 pib.gov.in • PIB/MoRTH — official confirmation of the 2020 driving-regulation amendment
🔗 pib.gov.in • PIB/NHAI September 2026 — Rajmargyatra services, FASTag and Emergency Helpline 1033
Can I use the passenger-car maximum for a bus or truck on an Indian expressway?
No. The national table has different limits for different vehicle classes. Use your vehicle’s category and the road’s actual designation, and obey any lower applicable restriction.
🔗 morth.gov.in • India — S.O.1522/2018, road and vehicle categories; 2026 parliamentary speed table
🔗 morth.gov.in • MoRTH — GSR 38(E), 15 January 2024, clause 12: indirect-vision devices
🔗 pib.gov.in • PIB/MoRTH — official confirmation of the 2020 driving-regulation amendment
🔗 pib.gov.in • PIB/NHAI September 2026 — Rajmargyatra services, FASTag and Emergency Helpline 1033
Where can I seek assistance on an Indian national highway?
The National Highways Authority of India provides the 1033 national highway helpline and the Rajmargyatra service. Give your location, direction and the nature of the problem so assistance can be arranged. Use the road operator’s instructions for the particular route.
🔗 morth.gov.in • India — S.O.1522/2018, road and vehicle categories; 2026 parliamentary speed table
🔗 morth.gov.in • MoRTH — GSR 38(E), 15 January 2024, clause 12: indirect-vision devices
🔗 pib.gov.in • PIB/MoRTH — official confirmation of the 2020 driving-regulation amendment
🔗 pib.gov.in • PIB/NHAI September 2026 — Rajmargyatra services, FASTag and Emergency Helpline 1033
