Starting June 1, 2025, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) will roll out a negative points system for driver’s licences across India. This move aims to improve road safety by identifying and penalizing habitual traffic offenders, including those in Delhi and NCR.
The system, governed under the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, will record negative points for various violations like jumping red lights, rash driving, drunk driving, and more. Accumulating too many points could lead to your licence being suspended or even permanently cancelled.
What Is the Negative Points System?
Under the new framework:
- Every driving license holder will start with a clean record.
- Specific violations will carry negative points, which will be digitally recorded.
- If a driver accumulates 40 points or more within 24 months, their driving license will be suspended.
- Repeated violations beyond suspension may lead to license cancellation.
Offenses That May Add Negative Points (Indicative)
While MoRTH is yet to publish the final list of offenses and corresponding points, here are some likely inclusions based on global models and earlier proposals:
| Traffic Violation | Expected Negative Points |
|---|---|
| Drunk driving | 5 |
| Dangerous or rash driving | 5 |
| Red light jumping | 3 |
| Using mobile phone while driving | 2 |
| Driving without helmet or seatbelt | 1 |
| Overspeeding | 2 |
| Wrong-side driving | 3 |
| Not giving way to emergency vehicles | 3 |
Note: These values are indicative and subject to final notification by MoRTH.
Points Reset and License Reinstatement
After a license suspension, the driver’s negative point tally will reset to zero. However, repeated offenses after reinstatement may attract more stringent scrutiny and potentially longer suspension periods. For learner’s license holders, accumulating just five points can lead to suspension.
How This Affects Drivers in Delhi and NCR
Delhi, known for its traffic congestion and high accident rates, will be a key focus area for this initiative. NCR cities like Noida, Gurugram, Ghaziabad, and Faridabad are also covered under this system. The Delhi Traffic Police is expected to launch awareness drives and integrate this framework with its digital challan system to ensure smooth implementation.
What Happens After Suspension?
Drivers whose licenses are suspended may be required to undergo mandatory traffic awareness courses or re-training sessions before applying for reinstatement. Repeat offenders could face longer suspensions or even permanent disqualification from holding a license.
Will It Affect Insurance Premiums?
While this is not confirmed yet, insurance providers may eventually use the point system to assess risk and determine premiums. Safer drivers with fewer or no points could be rewarded with lower premiums, similar to international practices.
Why This Matters
India reports over 4.6 lakh road accidents annually, with a large number attributed to traffic rule violations. By shifting from a purely fine-based system to a behavior-based monitoring approach, the government aims to improve road discipline and reduce casualties. The new framework represents a significant upgrade in traffic governance, introducing accountability and consistent tracking of repeat violations.
FAQs: Negative Points System for Driving Licenses
1. When will the negative points system come into effect?
The new system will be implemented from June 1, 2025, across India including Delhi and NCR.
2. How many points lead to suspension of a DL?
Accumulating 40 or more points within a 24-month period will result in suspension. For learner’s licenses, just 5 points can trigger a suspension.
3. Will points be deducted for every violation?
Yes. Each recorded violation will add negative points to your digital driving record.
4. Can points be reduced or reset?
Yes. After the suspension period, the points will reset to zero. But future violations may lead to faster escalation and stricter penalties.
5. Is this system applicable to commercial drivers too?
Yes. The system applies to all types of license holders—private, commercial, and learners.
6. Will this be integrated with challans in Delhi?
Yes. Digital challans will be tied to your driving record and used to calculate negative points alongside monetary fines.