Drink and Drive Fine in Gujarat 2026: Rules, Penalties & Challan Process

Gujarat, being one of the most high-profile states in India, is known for its vibrant culture, thriving industrial hubs, and hectic, traffic-filled city roads. It is also home to strict, stringent traffic rules and regulations, as we have mentioned before in our blogs. Here’s what we said:

“..historically, this already busy state is fielding more vehicles, more traffic, and more motor activity than ever before.

Which also means another thing: People need to be more aware of traffic rules and regulations than ever before. The Gujarat police is fully in sync, like other prominent states, with the Motor Vehicles Act, which means they’re more serious than ever about their jobs. In fact, they are more than willing to crack harder than ever. More so, due to the state’s record surge in overall traffic violations in the 2020s.”

These strict traffic regulations also extend to drink and drive fines in Gujarat. And often, these are not small penalties; they can include hefty challans, and in some cases, licence suspension and cancellation for repeat offenses. Compliance with the overall alcohol limit for driving in Gujarat is more important than ever. Officers are equipped with portable breathalysers, real-time e-challan devices, and CCTV-backed petrol units.

Want to know all about that? Explore this blog

In Gujarat, drunk driving is strictly prohibited under Section 185 of the Motor Vehicles Act (2019 Amendment).

Legal BAC Limit: 30 mg of alcohol per 100 ml of blood (0.03% BAC)

Penalties under Section 185:

• First Offence: ₹10,000 fine and/or up to 6 months in jail
• Second Offence (within 3 years): ₹15,000 fine and/or up to 2 years in jail

Additionally, under Section 125 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), dangerous driving that causes harm can attract further charges — including licence suspension, vehicle seizure, and criminal prosecution.

Breathalyser test hotspots in Gujarat include:

• SG Highway and Law Garden (Ahmedabad)
• Ring Road and Ghod Dod Road (Surat)
• Race Course Road (Vadodara)

Refusing a breathalyser test can result in immediate arrest and a mandatory blood test at a government hospital.

Offence	Fine	Imprisonment	Additional Penalties
1st offence	₹10,000	Up to 6 months	Licence suspension, vehicle impoundment
2nd offence	₹15,000	Up to 2 years	Repeat FIR, longer suspension
BNS (Section 125)	₹2,500 (if minor harm caused)	Up to 3 months	Criminal record, court summons

Highlights:

• Drink and drive fine in Gujarat starts at ₹10,000
• BAC limit is fixed at 30 mg/100 ml
• Repeat offences attract FIRs and harsher penalties
• Two-wheeler and car drivers face identical punishments

You are considered legally drunk if your BAC exceeds 30 mg per 100 ml of blood.

Gujarat Police regularly conduct checks:

• At city junctions and flyovers
• Along NH48 and state highways connecting industrial belts
• Near nightlife hubs in Ahmedabad, Vadodara, and Surat

Visible signs like slurred speech, alcohol smell, or erratic driving are enough for booking — even without a breathalyser test. Refusing to take the test gives police the right to detain you and order a medical check.

If caught for the first time:

• Fine: ₹10,000
• Imprisonment: Up to 6 months

Additional consequences:

• Licence suspension for 3–6 months
• Vehicle impoundment (especially rented or corporate vehicles)
• Insurers may reject future claims

Ahmedabad Traffic Police now forwards violator details to RTOs and insurance companies to flag high-risk drivers.

A second offence within 3 years:

• Fine: ₹15,000
• Imprisonment: Up to 2 years

Further consequences:

• Permanent licence cancellation in severe cases
• FIR under BNS 125 for public harm
• Court summons and potential auction of seized vehicles

Surat, Rajkot, and Gandhinagar traffic units have integrated offender tracking databases for repeat violation monitoring.

Online Payment Process:

1. Visit the Parivahan e-Challan Portal or Gujarat Traffic Police portal.
2. Enter your vehicle number or challan number.
3. Review offence details.
4. Pay via UPI, net banking, or card.
5. Download the e-receipt.

Offline Payment:

• Go to your nearest traffic police station (e.g., Shahibaug, Athwalines, Alkapuri).
• Submit DL, RC, insurance copy, and challan.
• Pay via cash or POS machine.
• Collect stamped receipt.

Contesting a Challan:

• Use the “Raise Objection” feature on the e-Challan portal.
• Upload evidence such as dashcam footage, timestamps, or witness statements.

1. Smart City Patrols – Ahmedabad’s SG Highway now has AI cameras detecting erratic driving.
2. Festival Crackdowns – During Navratri and New Year, over 2,000 DUI challans issued in 2025.
3. Industrial Zone Monitoring – Late-night checks near Hazira (Surat) and Sanand (Ahmedabad) target workers driving after celebrations.
4. Public Transport Tests – GSRTC bus drivers face random BAC checks before shift start.

• Use Ola, Uber, or auto after social events
• Keep BAC under 30 mg/100 ml
• Carry valid DL, RC, and insurance
• Avoid key highways post 10 PM
• Never carry open alcohol bottles in the vehicle
• Contest challans within 60 days if wrongfully booked
• Keep proof of payments and rentals
• Educate peers about drink and drive fine in Gujarat rules
  

1. What’s the fine for first-time drink driving in Gujarat?
   ₹10,000 and/or up to 6 months in jail, plus possible licence suspension.
2. What’s the legal alcohol limit in Gujarat?
   30 mg/100 ml of blood.
3. Can first-time offenders be jailed?
   Yes, for up to 6 months.
4. What happens on a second offence?
   ₹15,000 fine, jail up to 2 years, and possible permanent licence cancellation.
5. Can I pay my challan online?
   Yes, through Parivahan or the Gujarat Traffic Police site.
6. Can I contest a challan?
   Yes, within 60 days, with supporting evidence.
7. Is the alcohol limit zero in Gujarat since it’s a dry state?
   While Gujarat enforces prohibition, the BAC limit under MV Act remains 30 mg/100 ml — but possession or consumption without permit is illegal.

• Book a cab after drinking — even small amounts
• Avoid mixing alcohol with medication before driving
• Follow local police alerts for checkpoint updates
• Keep emergency numbers saved
• Avoid taking the wheel if unsure of fitness to drive
  

Gujarat’s proactive enforcement, from AI traffic monitoring to festival crackdowns, shows how serious the state is about road safety. Whether you’re a daily commuter or a tourist, following the law is non-negotiable.

The safest route is always the smart one — avoid drinking and driving, and keep Gujarat’s roads safe for all. For more road safety updates, stay tuned to Ecozaar.