Drink and Drive Fine in Assam 2025: Rules, Penalties & Challan Process

Assam is no doubt one of the most atmospheric, scenic and peaceful places in India. But it can be a double-edged sword due to the very same reasons. It attracts more tourists than ever; and more tourists means more vehicles, more traffic—and to be frank; more traffic violations than ever before. It’s cities like  Guwahati, Silchar, and Dibrugarh are rapidly growing hubs of nightlife and leisure. And that leads directly to, well, it’s fair share of drink and drive incidents.

“Assam, one of Northeast India’s most vital transport corridors, has seen a significant rise in vehicle registrations over the past few years—from personal scooters to intercity logistics trucks. With improved road connectivity, urban development, and a growing consumer base, the responsibilities of the Assam RTO have expanded rapidly in 2025.”

It’s openly been catalogued how places like Guwahati have been undergoing its own set of infrastructure and layout-related traffic and road safety challenges. And the last thing it (and similar places like it) needs is more chaos. Hence, the Assam Traffic Police has decided to clampdown extremely hard. Especially during festivals, match screenings, and weekend hangouts. Lest the already stretched traffic system be overwhelmed.

Are you someone who lives there already? Or is planning to migrate and own vehicles? Or is scheduling a short, impromptu trip? This blog details all the relevant ins and outs. Learn all about the drink and drive fine in Assam; and how to avoid all penalties regarding drunken driving challan in the state.

In Assam, drink and drive is a punishable offence under Section 185 of the Motor Vehicles Act (Amended 2019). Like all Indian states, the legal alcohol limit for driving in Assam is:

30 mg of alcohol per 100 ml of blood (BAC = 0.03%)

Penalties under Section 185:

• First offence: ₹10,000 fine and/or 6 months imprisonment

• Second offence (within 3 years): ₹15,000 fine and/or 2 years imprisonment
  

Assam Police may also register FIRs under Section 125 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) in case of accidents or if the driver’s actions pose a public threat. This may lead to vehicle impoundment, licence suspension, and potential court trial.

Breathalyzer tests are routinely conducted in Guwahati’s GS Road, Khanapara, Silchar bypass, and around college zones. Uncooperative behaviour can lead to arrest and forced medical examination.

Here’s a detailed breakdown of the drink and drive fine in Assam as per 2025 laws:

Offence	Fine	Imprisonment	Additional Penalties
1st offence	₹10,000	Up to 6 months	Licence suspension, vehicle seizure
2nd offence (within 3 years)	₹15,000	Up to 2 years	Repeat offender FIR, insurance flagging
FIR under BNS 125	₹2,500 (minor harm)	Up to 3 months	Criminal charge, permanent record

Points to Remember:

• Drunk and drive limit in Assam is 30 mg BAC

• Two-wheeler riders face the same penalty as car drivers

• Drink and drive challan can be issued without a breathalyzer if signs of intoxication are evident

• Drunken driving challan in Assam must be paid within 60 days to avoid escalation
  

You will be charged with drink and drive in Assam if your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) exceeds 30 mg/100 ml of blood, detected via a breathalyzer or medical test.

Drivers may be flagged for testing if they:

• Are swerving or speeding

• Display slurred speech or red eyes

• Smell of alcohol

• Are driving late at night near high-risk zones (e.g., Barsapara, Six Mile, Silchar Main Road)
  

Even if you refuse testing, the Assam Police can detain you under suspicion and mandate a hospital test. You may be booked under both the Motor Vehicles Act and BNS Section 125 if your actions result in injury or danger to others.

Under Section 185 of the MV Act, first-time drink and drive offenders in Assam face:

• Fine: Up to ₹10,000

• Imprisonment: Up to 6 months

• Or both
  

In addition, Assam Police can:

• Suspend your driving licence

• Seize your vehicle, especially in urban enforcement zones

• Forward your details to the insurance companies, affecting your policy
  

Offenders in cities like Guwahati are often caught during surprise night drives, especially near educational campuses and nightlife spots.

For a second drink and drive offence within 3 years, the penalties under Section 185 escalate:

• Fine: ₹15,000

• Jail Term: Up to 2 years
  

Additional risks include:

• FIR under BNS 125 (endangering public life)

• Cancellation of licence for repeated offences

• Insurance claim rejections or premium hikes

• Long-term criminal record
  

Repeat offenders in areas like Tezpur, Nagaon, and Tinsukia are often tracked and blacklisted in RTO databases.

Online Payment Steps:

1. Visit the Parivahan e-Challan portal or Assam Transport Department site

2. Enter your challan number or vehicle registration

3. Review offence details and click “Pay Now”

4. Pay via UPI, card, or netbanking

5. Download the digital receipt for records
   

Offline Payment:

• Visit the nearest Traffic Branch or DTO Office (e.g., in Guwahati, Silchar, Dibrugarh)

• Carry DL, RC, insurance, and challan slip

• Pay by card or cash at the counter

• Obtain a signed receipt
  

How to Contest:

• On the e-Challan portal, click on “Dispute this Challan”

• Upload clear evidence (e.g., dashcam footage, GPS logs, receipts)

• File your objection within 60 days

• If rejected, appear before the Virtual Traffic Court or Designated Magistrate in your regio
  

1. State-Wide DUI Crackdowns

Between Jan–May 2025, over 3,100 drink and drive cases were registered in Assam — a 70% spike from the same period in 2024. Guwahati and Silchar recorded the highest numbers.

2. Festival Patrol Units

During Bihu, New Year, and Eid, traffic teams deployed across major districts booked 500+ violators over just three nights.

3. College Area Monitoring

Police launched Project Suraksha to increase patrolling around college roads in Guwahati, Dibrugarh, and Tezpur. Late-night tests are now routine.

4. Bus Driver Screening

All ASTC and private bus depots now mandate pre-shift alcohol tests for drivers before interstate routes — especially to Meghalaya, Arunachal, and Nagaland.

• Appoint a sober driver or use Ola/Rapido in cities
• Know the BAC limit: 30 mg/100 ml of blood
• Keep your DL, RC, and insurance updated
• Avoid isolated driving late at night
• Cooperate at checkpoints — refusal may escalate the case
• Contest any wrong challans within 60 days
• Store challan receipts for legal proof
• Avoid open liquor bottles in the vehicle
• Don’t drive under hangover symptoms — they still impair reflexes
  

1. What’s the drink and drive fine in Assam for a first offence?
   Up to ₹10,000 and/or 6 months imprisonment. Licence suspension and vehicle seizure also apply.
2. What’s the BAC limit for drivers in Assam?
   30 mg per 100 ml of blood — the same as the national standard.
3. Can I be jailed even for the first offence?
   Yes — jail is possible depending on the officer’s discretion and severity of the situation.
4. Is there a different fine for two-wheeler riders?
   No. Drink and drive fine for two-wheelers in Assam is the same — ₹10,000 minimum.
5. Can I pay the challan online in Assam?
   Yes. Use the Parivahan e-Challan portal or your DTO’s official page.
6. How do I challenge a wrongful DUI charge?
   Use the dispute option on the portal or approach the Virtual Court with evidence like dashcam footage or eyewitness support.
7. What documents are needed for offline payment?
   Driving licence, RC book, valid insurance, and your challan slip.
8. What’s the legal drinking age in Assam?
   It is 21 years, but regardless of age, the BAC rule is strict — zero-tolerance while driving.

• Use cab services or assign a designated driver

• Don’t rely on “just one beer” — it can still breach the legal BAC

• Avoid driving in night patrol zones like GS Road, Bhangagarh, or Christian Basti

• Refuse keys if you know you’re unfit to drive

• Always check for active police roadblocks before leaving a venue

• Save your rental receipts and ID proof if using self-drive options

• Spread awareness during college fests, wedding parties, and public events
  

Assam is changing. As urban life grows more vibrant, traffic laws — especially around drinking and driving — are being enforced more aggressively.

The right choice is always the safest choice. Whatever you do, make sure you always make that for yourself. For more on road safety and traffic regulations, keep following Ecozaar.