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Half-Helmets Ban: Heavy fines for bike riders using unsafe helmets in Karnataka
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News18•07-10-2026, 17:18
Half-Helmets Ban: Heavy fines for bike riders using unsafe helmets in Karnataka
- •The Karnataka Government has completely banned the use, production, and sale of unsafe and low-quality half-helmets across the state.
- •A fine of 500 rupees will be imposed on riders using half-helmets or helmets without a valid ISI mark, with a risk of license suspension for repeat offenses.
- •Both the rider and the pillion rider must compulsorily wear helmets complying with the IS 4151:2015 quality standard with a proper ISI mark.
- •Traffic police in major cities like Bengaluru are using automated AI cameras to detect substandard helmets and issue e-challans directly to mobiles.
- •Strict legal action and raids are being conducted against manufacturing units, wholesale shops, and roadside vendors supplying fake or substandard helmets.
Key Questions Answered
Riding a bike with a half-helmet or without an ISI mark carries a fine of ₹500. If the offense is repeated, the Motor Vehicles Act allows for driving license suspension for up to 3 months, and a ₹1,000 fine applies for triple riding.
Yes, the rule requiring helmets compliant with the IS 4151:2015 quality standard and featuring an official ISI mark applies compulsorily to both the bike rider and the pillion rider.
Traffic authorities in major cities like Bengaluru use automated artificial intelligence (AI) cameras to monitor riders, automatically capturing photos of those wearing half-helmets or substandard helmets and sending e-challans to their mobile phones.
