The Punjab Motor Vehicles (Fourth Amendment) Ordinance 2025

The streets of Punjab are getting a significant safety upgrade. The Government of the Punjab has recently introduced a major legislative change: the Provincial Motor Vehicles (Fourth Amendment) Ordinance 2025 (VIII of 2025). This ordinance is not just a tweak; it’s a complete overhaul designed to modernize traffic management, enforce stricter compliance, and drastically improve road safety.

If you drive, own a vehicle, or are a passenger in Punjab, here’s a complete breakdown of the new laws, technologies, and penalties that will impact your daily commute

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The Digital Revolution: Moving Beyond Paper

The new Ordinance takes a decisive leap into the digital age, integrating advanced electronic systems for licensing and ticketing.

1. Driving License Information Management System (DLIMS)

Say goodbye to outdated, manual license processes. The new Driving License Information Management System (DLIMS) is a centralized electronic system.

What it means for you: All applications for the issuance, renewal, management, and record-keeping of your driving license will now be processed electronically through DLIMS.
Physical changes: The requirement for the applicant’s signature or thumb-impression on the application and the need to submit attested physical photographs are omitted. Instead, the process will include taking an electronic photograph and capturing the electronic biometric impression of each finger.
Foreign Licenses: The law now explicitly clarifies that a valid license issued outside the Province is also considered valid if issued “in any other country”.

2. Electronic Ticketing System

The way traffic penalties are issued and processed is changing completely.

Electronic Challan: Traffic violation tickets will now be issued using an electronic ticketing system, replacing the old manual Form-J with an electronic Form-J.
Easy Payment: You will be able to pay your fine through an authorized payment channel approved by the Government. Manual payment locations like banks and post offices have been removed from the process description.
Quick Document Retrieval: Once payment is made, the traffic office will hand over your seized document after online verification through the electronic ticketing system.

Stricter Offenses and Penalties

The Ordinance targets some of the most dangerous and frustrating traffic violations by creating new offenses and dramatically increasing fines.

1. Wrong-Side Driving is a Major Offense (New Section 75-A)

Driving on the wrong side of the road is now officially designated as a punishable offense to prevent traffic chaos and accidents.

The Rule: No person shall drive a motor vehicle on the wrong side of a road that has been declared as one-way.
The Fine (Twelfth Schedule): Ranges from Rs. 2,000 for a motorcycle to Rs. 15,000 for a public service vehicle/transport vehicle.
The Jail Term: Violation can lead to imprisonment up to six months or a fine up to fifty thousand rupees, or both.
Cognizable: This offense is now cognizable, meaning traffic police can take immediate action.
Exemptions: Emergency vehicles and vehicles authorized by the government (for public works, diversions) or a police officer (for immediate public safety) are exempted.

2. Ban on Unauthorized Tinted Glasses (New Section 89-C)

The use of heavily tinted, colored, or darkened glass, film, or material that reduces visibility beyond the permissible limit is now illegal.

The Penalty: Imprisonment up to six months or a fine up to fifty thousand rupees, or both.
Exemptions: Vehicles exempted by the government for security/valid reasons, and vehicles with manufacturer-installed tinted glass that meets prescribed safety standards.

3. Seat Belt Rule Extended to Passengers

The requirement to fasten a seat belt on a notified road is now explicitly extended to include “any person occupying the front passenger seat”.

4. Definition of Three-Wheeled Vehicles

The term “three-wheeled” is formally defined to include motorcycle rickshaws, auto-rickshaws, and motorcycle loader rickshaws. The requirement to wear a crash helmet (Section 89-A) has now been extended to include three-wheeled motor vehicles.

Massive Increase in Fines and Penalties

The penalties for fundamental violations have seen dramatic increases, intended to create a more effective deterrent.

Driving Without License (Section 3): The fine is now imprisonment up to six months or a fine up to fifty thousand rupees, or both. This offense is also cognizable.
Violation of Age Limit (Section 4): Both the driver and anyone who abets the offense can face up to six months imprisonment or a fine up to fifty thousand rupees, or both. This is also a cognizable offense.
Driving Unfit Vehicles (Section 39/39-A): Using a vehicle without a fitness certificate can result in up to six months imprisonment or a fine up to fifty thousand rupees. For a repeat conviction, this jumps to up to two years imprisonment or a fine up to one hundred thousand rupees.
Overloading Passengers (Public Service Vehicle): Carrying passengers in excess of the permissible limit can lead to up to six months imprisonment or a fine up to fifty thousand rupees, or both.
Unauthorized Number Plate (Section 112-A): The fine for not displaying the security-featured or vanity number plate has been raised from one thousand to fifty thousand rupees.

The New Point System: Your License is at Stake

Perhaps the most significant deterrent is the introduction of the mandatory point deduction system under the new Twelfth Schedule.

Violation	Motorcycle/PVH Motorcycle Fine	Car/Jeep (<2000cc) Fine	Public Transport Vehicle Fine	Points Deducted
Exceeding Speed Limit	Rs. 2,000	Rs. 5,000	Rs. 20,000	4
Wrong Side Driving	Rs. 2,000	Rs. 5,000	Rs. 15,000	4
Driving Without License	Rs. 2,000	Rs. 5,000	Rs. 15,000	4
Tinted Glass Driving	N/A	Rs. 5,000	Rs. 10,000	3
Using Mobile Phone	Rs. 2,000	Rs. 5,000	Rs. 15,000	4
Non-Fastening Seat Belt	N/A	Rs. 5,000	Rs. 10,000	2

License Disqualification Rule

If your accumulated points exceed twenty within a one-year period, the licensing authority will issue an order disqualifying you from holding or obtaining a license for a six-month period.
This six-month period can be extended for another six months.

Repeat Offender Fine Hike

If you are charged with a repeat traffic violation within one month of a previous offense, you will pay a fine increased by five percent of the fine paid for the previous offense.

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Conclusion

The Provincial Motor Vehicles (Fourth Amendment) Ordinance 2025 marks a new era of enforcement and compliance in Punjab. The combination of digital systems, substantially higher fines, and a point-based license suspension mechanism clearly signals that the government is serious about road safety. As citizens, it is now more crucial than ever to be aware of these changes and strictly adhere to traffic laws.

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