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

In our previous blog, we’ve covered all the ins and outs of drink and drive fines in the city of Mumbai. And what applies to ‘Maximum City’ applies to its parent state as well. Here’s what we wrote.

“Despite frequent awareness campaigns and police checkpoints, many revellers still choose to get behind the wheel after a night of drinking. This troubling trend not only endangers lives but also raises questions about the effectiveness of current enforcement and the cultural attitudes toward responsible partying.”

Fully aware of the scrutiny, the Maharashtra Traffic Police, fully aligned with the Motor Vehicles Amendment Act, has absolutely no qualms about cracking down hard on any such incidents. In fact, they have taken proactive measures to punish overspeeding as much as they can.

The state, fully aware of the mass influx and public attention it gets, fully demands stronger deterrents and stricter compliance with drink and drive rules, more so than ever before. So if you think you can party at Colaba like it’s 1999 according to your whims, consider that inference revoked. You need to be aware of the drink and drive rules in Maharashtra unless you want to be slapped with a hefty, irreversible challan.

In Maharashtra, drinking and driving is a punishable offence under Section 185 of the Motor Vehicles Act, updated by the 2019 amendment. 

The legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit is 30 mg of alcohol per 100 ml of blood
(i.e., 0.03% BAC)

Penalties Under Section 185:

• First offence: ₹10,000 fine and/or 6 months of imprisonment
• Second offence (within 3 years): ₹15,000 fine and/or 2 years of imprisonment 

Offenders may also face an FIR under Section 125 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for endangering public safety. These charges can lead to vehicle confiscation, licence suspension, and even longer jail terms depending on the severity.

Breathalysers are widely being used at checkpoints across cities like Pune, Nagpur, Nashik, Kolhapur, and Mumbai suburbs. Refusal to cooperate or signs of intoxication (e.g., slurred speech, imbalance) can result in immediate arrest and further testing.

Here’s a concise breakdown of the drink and drive fine amount in Maharashtra under various scenarios:

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, higher insurance
If charged under BNS Section 125	₹2,500 (minor harm)	Up to 3 months	Criminal record, vehicle impoundment

Key Points:

• Legal alcohol limit for driving in India: 30 mg/100 ml
• Offenders may face vehicle impoundment
• Higher penalties for two-wheeler riders under the influence
• Repeat violations result in escalated punishments
• Drunken driving charges can lead to both financial and legal penalties

You are considered legally drunk in Maharashtra if your BAC exceeds 30 mg/100 ml of blood. Most commonly, this is detected through breathalyser tests at police checkpoints or on suspicion during routine stops.

Drivers showing:

• Slurred speech
• Smell of alcohol
• Red eyes or aggressive behaviour 

…may be immediately detained and asked to undergo medical testing to confirm intoxication levels.

Additionally, Maharashtra police may book offenders under BNS 125 even without an accident, if there’s reckless or dangerous behaviour that endangers others. This adds a criminal layer to the offence.

For a first-time drink-and-drive offence, the punishment under the Motor Vehicles Act Section 185 is:

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

Additional Consequences:

• Suspension of the driving licence
• Vehicle impoundment
• Potential rise in insurance premiums

Even on the first offence, Maharashtra police can arrest the offender on the spot and seize the vehicle, especially in cities with stricter enforcement like Pune and Thane.

For repeat offences (within 3 years of the first offence), the penalties escalate under Section 185:

• Fine: ₹15,000
• Jail Term: Up to 2 years

Other penalties may include:

• FIR registration under BNS 125
• Permanent cancellation of the driving licence in extreme cases
• Insurance claim rejections

Repeat offenders face harsher scrutiny during traffic checks and may also be blacklisted in the RTO database across districts.

Online Payment Method:

1. Visit the Parivahan e-Challan portal or Maharashtra Traffic Police e-challan page
2. Enter vehicle number or challan ID
3. Review fine details and click “Pay Now”
4. Choose mode (Card/UPI/Netbanking)
5. Save the payment receipt

Offline Payment Method:

• Visit your local traffic police station or RTO counter
• Carry original DL, RC, insurance, and challan notice
• Pay by cash or card at POS
• Collect stamped receipt

Challan Contestation Process:

• Go to the e-Challan portal and click on “Challenge in Court”
• Submit supporting evidence (dashcam video, GPS log, witness statements)
• Await response from the Traffic Multimedia Cell or the designated officer
• If rejected, appear in local traffic court or use the Virtual Court portal

1. FIRs & Criminal Charges

As of 2025, several cities, including Pune, Nashik, and Nagpur now routinely file FIRs under BNS 125 for DUI. Over 4,800 cases were recorded in the first half of 2025 — a 55% increase from 2024.

2. Festival-Time Crackdowns

During Holi and New Year’s Eve, enforcement units booked over 500 cases in Pune alone. State-wide campaigns saw more than ₹3.5 crore in traffic fines collected.

3. Public Listing of Offenders

Many RTO websites and police Twitter/X handles now publish the names and vehicle numbers of repeat offenders to discourage violations.

4. Institutional Monitoring

Cities like Nagpur and Aurangabad have mandated alcohol checks for school van and bus drivers every morning, ensuring public safety at scale.

 

The healthy attitude is always to not be cynical 

• • Assign a designated driver or pre-book cabs
  • Remember, BAC must stay under 30 mg/100 ml
  • Carry valid DL and vehicle documents at all times
  • Avoid solo driving late at night — checkpoints increase after 10 PM
  • Cooperate with breathalyser tests
  •  Request a medical test if falsely accused
  •  Download & keep e-challan receipts
  • Save helpline number. Here it is
  • Request medial test if falsely accused
  • Download & keep e-challan receipts
  • Contest violations withing 60 days if needed
    

1. What is the legal alcohol limit while driving in Maharashtra?
   30 mg per 100 ml of blood — same as the national limit under MV Act Section 185.
2. What is the drink and drive fine amount for a first offence?
   Up to ₹10,000 + licence suspension and possible vehicle seizure.
3. What happens on a second offence?
   Fine up to ₹15,000, imprisonment for up to 2 years, and FIR under BNS 125 if endangering others.
4. Can I pay my drunk driving fine online?
   Yes, via Parivahan or Maharashtra e-Challan portal using vehicle number or challan ID.
5. Can I contest my drunk driving challan?
   Yes — online within 60 days or by appearing in traffic court. Keep strong evidence.
6. What’s the punishment for a two-wheeler rider caught drunk?
   Same as other vehicles: ₹10,000 for first offence, ₹15,000 thereafter. Higher scrutiny and immediate vehicle impoundment are common.
7. What if I refuse to take a breathalyser test?
   You may be arrested under suspicion and asked to undergo a mandatory medical exam.
8. What’s the legal drinking age in Maharashtra?
   18 years in some districts and 21 in others. Regardless, zero tolerance applies while driving.

• Always plan transportation ahead before parties or events (criticla) 
• Use services like Uber, Rapido, or auto rickshaws instead of self-driving 
• Stay aware of active checkpoints, especially around holidays 
• Never carry open liquor bottles inside the vehicle cabin 
• If you notice unsafe driving behaviour, report it via the Maharashtra Police traffic app 
• Remember: a single mistake could cost your licence, vehicle, and more

Conclusion

Maharashtra’s drink and drive laws are among the strictest in India — and for good reason. With high accident rates and growing urban nightlife, enforcement is now more visible, tech-driven, and legally unforgiving.

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.