Mumbai Drink and Drive Fine: Rules, Penalties & Payment

As you may have seen in countless Bollywood movies and in your friends’ social media posts, Mumbai’s nightlife remains as vivid and vibrant as ever. The more new people it welcomes each year, the more new bars, lounges, and clubs seem to pop up all across the city. The party does not seem to stop at any time; and sometimes afterparties seem like appetizers to another celebration in the morning. Is this all a good thing? That depends on your perspective.

Because, this surge in nocturnal activity comes with a growing concern: A sharp rise in drink-and-drive incidents. 

Mumbai is famously known as ‘Maximum City’, and that moniker definitely lives up to its reputation. 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.

In Mumbai, drink‑driving is illegal under Section 185 of the Motor Vehicles Act (as amended in 2019). The legal Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) limit is 30 mg of alcohol per 100 ml of blood (0.03%).

• First offence: Punishable by a fine of up to ₹10,000 and/or imprisonment up to 6 months.
• Second offence (within 3 years): Penalty increases to a fine of ₹15,000 and/or imprisonment up to 2 years.

Mumbai police also register FIRs under Section 125 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for driving under influence—potential jail, licence suspension, and vehicle confiscation can follow. Breathalyzer checkpoints are common, and drivers caught above the BAC limit must follow the legal process, including challan and possible custody.

Strict enforcement and repeat penalties reflect the seriousness with which Mumbai treats drink‑driving.

To ensure information is always clear and transparent, here’s a clear and concise overview of Mumbai’s 2025 drink‑and‑drive penalties under Section 185 of the Motor Vehicles Act:

Offence	Fine	Imprisonment	Additional Penalties
1st offence	₹10,000	Up to 6 months	Licence suspension, vehicle seizure
2nd & subsequent (within 3 years)	₹15,000	Up to 2 years	Same as above
BNS FIR (endangering life)	₹2,500 (minor harm)	Up to 3 months (minor harm)	licence & vehicle may also be detained

Here are some key points to remember:

• Legal BAC limit is 30 mg alcohol/100 ml blood.
• Police commonly use breathalysers at checkpoints.
• Repeat offences escalate both fines and jail terms.
• BNS charges apply when driving under the influence causes harm, compounding MV Act penalties.
• Licence suspension and vehicle confiscation occur in all cases.

This strong enforcement framework—comprising heavy fines, potential jail, and licence/vehicle penalties—reflects Mumbai’s zero‑tolerance approach to drunk driving.

When Is a Motorist Charged with Drink and Drive? 

To put it simply, when his/her Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) exceeds 30 mg of alcohol per 100 ml of blood— aka the legal limit under Section 185 of the Motor Vehicles Act. 

This can be detected by a breathalyzer at police checkpoints or during routine traffic stops. If a driver refuses the breath test or is visibly impaired—slurred speech, erratic driving, or the smell of alcohol—officers may detain them and proceed with a medical test to confirm intoxication.

In 2024, Mumbai police also began registering FIRs under Section 125 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) if the motorist’s actions endanger public safety. This can apply even if no accident occurs. Once charged, the individual may face immediate penalties including fines, arrest, licence suspension, or vehicle impoundment. Repeat offenders and those involved in accidents face stricter legal consequences, including imprisonment.

Got fined the first time in Mumbai? Here’s what you can (and often have to) do for a first drink-and-drive offence in Mumbai under Section 185 of the Motor Vehicles Act (as amended in 2019):

• Fine: Up to ₹10,000.
• Imprisonment: Up to 6 months.
• Or both – authorities may impose both fine and jail time.

Additionally, motorists are typically hit with:

• Driver’s licence suspension.
• Vehicle seizure.
• Possible increases in insurance premiums or policy cancellations due to the criminal record.

Mumbai Police also:

• Conduct regular breathalyzer checks at roadblocks.
• Reserve the right to arrest without a warrant under Section 202 of the MV Act if intoxication is detected.

This zero-tolerance policy ensures strict enforcement even on first offenses.

For a repeat drink-and-drive offence in Mumbai under Section 185 of the Motor Vehicles Act:

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

Additional consequences include:

• Licence suspension and vehicle impoundment.
• FIR may be registered under Section 125 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, especially in cases of public endangerment.
• Higher insurance premiums, claim denials, or even policy cancellation for repeat offenders.

Mumbai authorities have ramped up enforcement with more checkpoints and FIRs, signaling a strict stance against repeat drink-driving violations.

Here’s how you can pay or contest your drink-and-drive challan in Mumbai in a few clear steps:

Online Payment Process for Drink and Drive Fines in Mumbai

• Visit the Mumbai Traffic Police e‑Challan website or the Parivahan e‑Challan portal.
• Enter your vehicle or challan number and details, then click “Pay Now”.
• Choose your payment method—Debit/Credit Card, Netbanking, UPI, or wallets.
• Download the receipt for future reference.

Offline Settlement for Drink and Drive Fines in Mumbai

Visit your local traffic police station or authorized payment center with your challan and documents. Pay in cash or via POS and collect a receipt.

Want to Contest Your Fines? Here’s the Challan Contestation Process

• On the portal, click “Challenge in Court” or “Raise Objection” next to your challan.
• Upload evidence (dashcam footage, GPS logs, or photographs) and submit before the 60-day deadline.
• Your objection goes to Worli multimedia cell; ~60% are rejected — unclear evidence is escalated.
• If rejected, you can appear in traffic court (locally or via Virtual Court) under Sections 200–206 of the MVA.

Remedies if needed:

• Seek legal counsel—especially for serious violations (like DUI) or repeat offences.
• Attend a Lok Adalat for possible settlement or reduction—these are held periodically in Mumbai.

Recent Enforcement Initiatives in Mumbai 

1. FIRs under BNS + Vehicle Seizure

Since early April 2025, Mumbai Traffic Police have begun filing FIRs under Section 125 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for DUI—offenders face criminal charges, potential 3‑month jail terms, licence impoundment, and vehicle seizure.

Between January–March 2025, 2,264 drivers were penalised—up 60% year-on-year.

2. Intensified Checkpoints & Special Drives

Holi enforcement (March 13–14) saw 183 drink-drive cases and over ₹1.8 crore in total traffic fines city-wide.

3. Public Shaming & Transparency

Since early April, 81 motorists were booked in just a week; offenders’ details are now displayed on digital billboards and posted on X (formerly Twitter) .

4. Institutional Checks for Public Transport

BEST (city bus service) started daily breathalyser tests for all drivers before and after shifts—following a fatal accident in Kurla.

These initiatives reflect a shift toward zero tolerance: combining criminal charges, constant enforcement drives, public accountability, and checks on public transport. The multi-pronged strategy aims to significantly deter drunk driving incidents in Mumbai.

• Plan ahead – assign a designated driver or book a cab
• Know the limit – BAC must be under 30 mg/100 ml
• Carry ID & licence – police checks are strict
• Avoid late solo drives – checkpoints are common at night
• Cooperate with breathalyzer tests
• Refuse to drive if unfit – even minor symptoms matter
• Save helpline – Mumbai Traffic: 8454999999
• Know your rights – demand medical test if falsely accused
• Keep digital challan record – via Parivahan or Mumbai Police portal
• Contest timely – object online within 60 days if needed

FAQs on Drink and Drive Fines in Mumbai

1. Legal BAC limit in Mumbai?

30 mg of alcohol per 100 ml of blood (0.03%)—the standard across India under Section 185 MVA.

2. Penalty for a first-time drink-and-drive offence in Mumbai?

Fine up to ₹10,000 and/or imprisonment up to 6 months. Licence suspension and vehicle seizure are also common.

3. Penalty for a repeat offence in Mumbai?

Fine up to ₹15,000 and/or imprisonment up to 2 years. Repeat offenders also face licence suspension, vehicle impoundment, and possible FIR under criminal statutes.

4. Is imprisonment mandatory?

No—punishment is “and/or,” meaning offenders may choose to pay the fine instead of serving jail time.

5. How do I pay my challan online in Mumbai?

Use the Mumbai Traffic Police e‑Challan portal or the Parivahan website: enter vehicle/DL/challan number, then pay via debit/credit card, net‑banking, UPI, or wallets. Download the receipt post-payment.

6. Can I contest a challan online in Mumbai?

Typically, drink-and-drive offences require court appearance; you cannot fully contest online. However, you can file a grievance via the traffic police’s multimedia cell or email if incorrect details appear.

7. What documents are required for offline payment in Mumbai?

Bring your driving licence, vehicle RC, insurance certificate, and the physical challan receipt. At traffic police stations or via handheld devices, payment can be done in cash or by card.

8. How long for payment to reflect and challan to clear?

Online payments typically reflect in 2–3 days; offline payments may take up to 10 days. A transaction receipt often speeds resolution and is accepted as proof if needed earlier.

Key Takeaways

• First Offence Penalty: If you’re caught drunk driving for the first time, you could face a ₹10,000 fine or up to 6 months jail (or both), depending on the severity.
• Repeat Offence Penalty: For repeat offences, the penalty is steeper — a ₹15,000 fine and/or up to 2 years jail.
• Legal BAC Limit: The allowed blood alcohol content (BAC) is 30 mg per 100 ml of blood. Anything above this can get you a challan instantly.
• How to Pay or Contest: Use your state’s official e-challan portal (like Parivahan or your state police site) to pay your fine. If you think you were wrongly charged, you can contest it at your local traffic police station with proper proof.
  

Tips to Avoid Drink and Drive Penalties in Mumbai 

So, what to do? The answer is simple: Plan ahead.

Make sure to assign a designated driver, or feel free to use ride-hailing apps as much as you can. If you’re drunk, the best thing is to just avoid driving. Let that be your friends’ or Ola drivers’ problem.

Mumbai Police often conducts random tests, so it’s best to exercise caution. Park legally and keep documents handy (DL, RC, insurance). Save helpline 8454999999 in case of emergencies.

Make sure to also:

• Avoid late solo drives after midnight
• Monitor your challans online via Parivahan regularly
• Spread awareness to your friends and family

Responsible choices—like using cabs or designated drivers—can prevent legal trouble and save lives. Stay informed, plan ahead, and always choose safety over risk.

For more safety rules and regulations, keep on following Ecozaar.