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← All Issues·Issue #1·2026-01-09
The Signal

Signal #001 — Welcome Edition

Reversing on a highway is a non-compoundable offence. The Central Govt cracks down on states collecting old fine amounts. Karnataka HC rules FASTag blacklisting without notice is illegal.

💡[Headlight]

Central Govt cracks down on states collecting old fine amounts

The Central Government has issued a reminder circular to all state transport departments to implement the MVA 2019 fine schedule uniformly. Several states were still collecting the old (lower) fine amounts — in violation of the central schedule.

What this means for you: If a state officer quotes a fine amount lower than the national minimum, that is not a discount — it is non-compliance. You can verify the correct amount on the Fine Searcher.

🔦[Blind Spot]

Reversing on a national highway is a non-compoundable offence

Most drivers are familiar with overspeeding and drunk driving. But Section 184 — 'dangerous driving' — covers a long list of actions that create risk for other road users, including reversing on a highway after missing an exit.

Non-compoundable means: no on-the-spot settlement (not even with a receipt), your vehicle can be impounded, and the case goes to court — not just a fine.

The next time you miss an exit on the NH, go to the next U-turn point. The fine is ₹1,000–₹5,000, and you'll have a court date to go with it.

🎥[Dashcam]

Karnataka HC: FASTag blacklisting without notice is illegal

The Karnataka High Court ruled that NHAI cannot blacklist a FASTag without first issuing a written notice to the vehicle owner and giving them a reasonable opportunity to respond.

If your FASTag has been blacklisted and you did not receive a notice: you have grounds to challenge it. We'll cover the full step-by-step procedure in a dedicated Wiki article.

🌟[High Beam]

Delivery partner contests challan using Fine Searcher — wins

A delivery partner in Bengaluru contested a challan by showing the officer the fine amount on roadz.in's Fine Searcher — confirming that the quoted fine was ₹500 over the legal maximum. The officer issued the correct amount.

That is exactly what this platform is for.

🃏[The Right Card]
Section 129, MVA 1988 (amended 2019)

Helmet Rule — Rider AND Pillion

₹1,000 Compoundable

Both the rider and the pillion must wear an ISI/BIS-marked helmet. The fine applies to the rider even if only the pillion is not wearing a helmet. A fine can be levied separately for each — rider and pillion.

MVA 2019, Section 129 | Last verified: 2026-01-09

Legal information, not legal advice. All content is sourced from official government documents. For specific legal matters, consult a qualified lawyer.