Penalties for violating rules under the new Road Transport Act

The Road Transport Act 2018 went into effect across the country on November 1.

The law was passed in parliament on September 19, 2018.

Here are the penalties for violations of rules on roads.

Drivers will be fined Tk25,000 or six months' jail or both for not carrying licence while driving.

The new law imposes a fine of Tk25,000 for not having fitness certificate.

A fine of Tk3 lakh has been fixed for using left-hand drive vehicles without permission, unlawful modification of vehicles such as changing the length and width of the vehicle, altering seat arrangements and modifying the size of wheels, changing brakes, gears, horn, indicators etc, changing exhaust system, altering vehicle's colour. 

One cannot exceed the approved laden weight of a vehicle – the weight of the vehicle and the weight of passengers, goods, fuel combined. A fine of Tk1 lakh or one-year jail term or both have been fixed for such violation.

Drivers will be fined Tk10,000 or given three months' jail or both for reckless driving and risky overtakes.

Driving under the influence and staying in a vehicle in an inebriated state is punishable with a fine of Tk10,000 or three months' jail or both. Conductors and helpers of buses, mini-buses, lagunas will get the same punishment for driving the vehicle.

The same penalty will be applicable for driving vehicles in the wrong direction, motorcyclists without helmets and carrying more than two people on a bike.

If someone drives a motor vehicle without registration and number plate, a fine of Tk50,000 or six months of jail or both will be imposed on them.

Drivers, conductors, or other representatives of vehicles will be fined Tk20,000 or given one month's jail or both if they do not inform the nearest police station and Fire Service after an accident.

The same penalty is applicable for not sending injured people to hospitals.