Delhi Drink and Drive Fine: Rules, Penalties & Payment

Delhi’s nightlife scene needs no introduction. It has evolved rapidly, especially in areas like Connaught Place, Hauz Khas, Saket, and Cyberhub in Gurgaon. With a constant influx of people seeking better career opportunities and higher salaries, it can be rest assured that bars, clubs, lounges, and restaurants will stay open till late in the night. 

However, with the yin comes the yang–the growing night-time social scene has led to a worrying spike in late-night drink-and-drive incidents. Even with the city’s rigid traffic rules, most people seem to have no qualms about operating vehicles under the influence and causing their share of unnecessary ruckus.

This behaviour not only endangers the driver, but puts the general public at safety risks. It also creates problems for law enforcement and emergency services. Hence, the police now have no other choice but to crack down on offenders.

In Delhi, driving under the influence is a criminal offence under Section 185 of the Motor Vehicles Act (amended in 2019). The legal Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) limit is 30 mg of alcohol per 100 ml of blood (0.03%).

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

Delhi Police may also register an FIR under Section 125 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for endangering life due to intoxicated driving. This could lead to jail time, license suspension, and even vehicle confiscation.

Checkpoints using breathalyzers are frequent, especially on weekends and holidays. The penalties underline Delhi’s strict stance on intoxicated driving—a zero-tolerance policy enforced by a robust legal framework.

Here’s a clear breakdown of the 2025 drink-and-drive fines and penalties under Delhi traffic law:

Offence Type	Fine	Imprisonment	Additional Penalties
1st offence	₹10,000	Up to 6 months	Licence suspension, vehicle seizure
2nd offence or more	₹15,000	Up to 2 years	Same as above
BNS FIR (if harm caused)	₹2,500 (minor harm)	Up to 3 months	The licence and vehicle may be detained

Important Notes:

• Legal BAC limit is 30 mg alcohol/100 ml blood.
• Breath tests at night are common at checkpoints across Delhi.
• Repeat offences escalate both fines and punishment.
• BNS charges apply when public safety is endangered.

These strict measures show Delhi’s commitment to reducing drink-and-drive cases and improving road safety across the National Capital Region (NCR).

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. 

If a driver refuses the breathalyzer test, appears visibly impaired (slurred speech, unstable walking, red eyes), or is involved in an accident, they may be taken to a medical facility for a blood test.

Delhi Police may also file charges under Section 125 of the BNS if the individual’s actions create a public safety threat, even if no actual accident occurs. Legal proceedings begin immediately, often including challans, licence suspension, and sometimes vehicle impoundment.

Repeat offenders, or those involved in injury-causing accidents, face more severe penalties including jail time and permanent licence revocation.

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

For a first offence of drink-and-drive in Delhi:

• Fine: Up to ₹10,000
• Imprisonment: Up to 6 months
• Or both (as determined by court or traffic police)

In addition, you may face:

• Driver’s licence suspension
• Vehicle seizure
• Higher insurance premiums or even policy cancellations

Delhi Traffic Police conduct frequent breathalyzer tests and can arrest without a warrant under Section 202 of the MV Act.

This strong legal framework ensures that even first-time offenders face immediate and significant penalties to deter future incidents.

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

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

Additional consequences:

• FIR under Section 125 BNS for public endangerment
• Permanent licence cancellation for multiple violations
• Vehicle impoundment and long-term insurance penalties

Delhi Police have intensified action against repeat offenders with advanced surveillance, city-wide special drives, and tighter laws under the BNS. The message is clear: repeat drunk driving will not be tolerated.

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

Online Payment Process for Drink and Drive Fines in Delhi

• Go to the Delhi Traffic Police e-Challan portal or Parivahan website.
• Enter vehicle or challan number and proceed to payment.
• Pay via card, UPI, or net banking.
• Download the receipt for your records.

Offline Settlement for Drink and Drive Fines in Delhi

Visit the nearest Traffic Police Station with:

• Physical copy of your challan
• Valid ID and driver’s licence
• Pay by cash, card, or UPI and collect a printed receipt.

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

• On the portal, select “Challenge in Court” or “Raise Objection”.
• Upload supporting evidence—dashcam footage, location proof, medical records, etc.
• File the objection within 60 days of the challan issuance.

If rejected, you may appear before the Virtual Court or local traffic court under Sections 200–206 of the MVA.

In serious cases (DUI, injury), consult a lawyer or attend a Lok Adalat for a negotiated settlement.

Since March 2025, FIRs are routinely filed under Section 125 BNS. Delhi Police may arrest and confiscate the vehicle even for non-accidental DUI cases.

2. Festival Crackdowns

During Holi and New Year, thousands of drivers were tested. Holi 2025 saw 1,530 challans and over ₹2 crore in fines issued across NCR.

3. Real-Time Public Disclosure

Delhi Traffic Police now post DUI violator details on X (Twitter) and display offender data at public intersections.

4. Daily Testing for Public Vehicle Drivers

Post several accidents involving autos and buses, mandatory breath tests are now done for DTC and private bus drivers before shift changes.

These measures are part of a multi-layered approach to reduce drunk driving and improve accountability across Delhi’s roads.

• Book a cab or assign a sober driver
• Stay under BAC limit: 30 mg/100 ml
• Carry your driving licence & insurance papers
• Avoid solo night drives (10 PM onwards = checkpoints)
• Comply with breathalyzer tests
• Never drive if dizzy, drowsy, or disoriented
• Save helpline: Delhi Traffic Police – 1095 / 011-25844444
• Request medical test if wrongly accused
• Track challans via Parivahan or Delhi Traffic Police sites
• Contest within 60 days if incorrect

1. What’s the legal alcohol limit?

30 mg/100 ml blood (0.03%) as per MVA.

2. First-time penalty?

₹10,000 fine or up to 6 months jail + licence suspension and vehicle seizure.

3. Repeat offence penalty?

₹15,000 fine or up to 2 years jail + possible FIR, licence cancellation, and vehicle seizure.

4. Can I avoid jail by paying the fine?

Yes. Penalties are “and/or”—the court may let you pay instead of serving time.

5. How to pay challan?

Use Parivahan or Delhi Police Challan Portal.

6. Can I contest online?

Partially. Use the portal to raise objections, but DUI cases often require court appearance.

7. Offline payment?

Visit your nearest traffic station with ID, DL, vehicle RC, and challan.

8. How long until it clears?

Online: 2–3 days; Offline: up to 10 days. Save your receipt as proof.

Key Takeaways

• First offence fine: ₹10,000 / 6 months jail
• Repeat offence fine: ₹15,000 / 2 years jail
• BAC limit: 30 mg/100 ml
• How to pay or contest your challan
• Download PDF checklist

 Use Uber, Ola, or your local taxi services if you know you’ll be drinking. Even a small amount of alcohol can push your BAC over the legal limit before you realise it.

Always carry your documents — DL, insurance, and RC — and try to avoid driving late at night alone. Save the Delhi Police helpline number in your phone, just in case.

If you’re stopped at a checkpoint, cooperate fully. If you feel you’ve been wrongly accused, you can request a blood test — breath tests are common, especially during holidays and weekends.

Keep track of any fines online and make sure your friends do the same. More importantly, talk to your circle — don’t let anyone drive drunk. Prevention is always easier than fighting a criminal case later.

To keep updated on the latest traffic rules and regulations, keep following Ecozaar.