Road Regulations

The Rules Of The Road Regulations was brought into effect from July 1, 1989. It serves as a basic guide for the Indian driver, showcasing the rules which he has to follow, while on the roads. It deals with basic facts such as overtaking, traffic signals, towing, speed limits, the necessary documents to be carried while driving and other such neglected, but imperative points nonetheless.


1. Short Title And Commencement
(a) These regulations may be called the Rules Of The Roads Regulations, 1989.
(b) They shall come into force from July 1, 1989.

2. Keep Left
The driver of a motor vehicle shall drive the vehicle as close to the left side of the road as may be expedient and shall allow all traffic which is proceeding in the opposite direction to pass on his left hand side.

3. Turning to Left And Right
The driver of a motor vehicle shall:
-- when turning to the left, drive as close as maybe to theleft hand side of the road from which he is making the turn and of the road which he is entering.
-- when turning to the right draw as near as near as may be to the centre of the road which the driver is entering.


4. Passing To The Right
Except as provided in regulation 5, the driver of a motor vehicle shall pass to the right of all traffic proceeding in the same direction as himself.


5. Passing To The Left
The driver of a motor vehicle may pass to the left of a vehicle, the driver of which having indicated an intention to turn to the right has drawn to the centre of the road and may pass on either side, a tram car or other vehicle running on fixed rails whether travelling in the same direction as himself or otherwise provided that in no case shall he pass a tram car at a time or in a manner likely to cause danger or inconvenience to other users of the road including persons leaving or about to enter tram cars.

6. Overtaking Prohibited In Certain Cases

The driver of a motor vehicle shall not pass a vehicle travelling in the same direction as himself:
(a) if his passing is likely to pass inconvenience or danger to other traffic proceding in any direction;
(b) if he is near a point, a bend or corner or a hill or other obstructionof any kind that renders the road ahead not clearly visible;
(c) if he knows that the driver who is following him has not signalled that he may be overtaken.

7. Overtaking Not To Be Obstructed.
The driver of a motor vehicle shall not, when being overtaken or being passed by another vehicle, increse speed or do anything in any way to prevent the other vehicle from passing him.

8. Caution At Road Guide
The driver of a motor vehicle shall slow down when approaching a road intersection, a road guide, pedestrian crossing or a road corner, and shall not enter any such intersection, guide or crossing until he has become aware that he may do so without endangering the safety of persons thereon.

9. Giving Way To Traffic At Road Guide
The driver of a motor vehicle shall, on entering a road interjection at which traffic is not being regulated, if the road entered is a main road designated as such, give way to the vehicles proceeding along the road, and in any other case give way to all traffic approaching to the intersection on his right hand.

10. Fire Service Vehicles And Ambulances To Be Given Free Passage
Each driver shall on the approach of a fire service vehicle or an ambulance allow it free passage by drawing it to the side of the road.