Can a Learner's License Holder Be Fined for Violations?

A learner's license allows an individual to drive under the supervision of a licensed driver. However, despite being a provisional license, holders of a learner’s license are still subject to the same traffic laws as regular drivers. If a learner’s license holder violates any traffic regulations, they can indeed be fined, as they are still considered to be on the road legally under supervision.

Traffic Violations and Fines for Learner's License Holders

Rules Applicable to Learner’s License Holders:

Learner’s license holders must adhere to the same traffic rules as regular drivers but with some restrictions. They must always be accompanied by a validly licensed driver in the front passenger seat.

Driving with a learner’s license in violation of these rules, or committing any traffic violations (such as speeding, not following traffic signs, or improper parking), can result in penalties and fines.

Penalties and Fines:

Traffic Violations:

If a learner's license holder is caught violating traffic laws (such as running a red light, speeding, or parking illegally), they can be fined just like a regular driver. The fine can vary depending on the violation and the city. For example, fines for speeding or running red lights can range from ₹500 to ₹2,000 or more, depending on the offense and jurisdiction.

Driving Without Supervision:

If a learner’s license holder is driving without a licensed supervisor, they can be fined for driving without supervision. This is a serious violation of traffic rules and may result in fines ranging from ₹1,000 to ₹5,000, or even the cancellation of the learner's license.

Driving a Vehicle Not Suitable for a Learner:

A learner’s license holder is not permitted to drive vehicles that are not suitable for beginners (e.g., commercial vehicles). Violating this restriction could result in penalties and cancellation of the learner's license.

Impact on the Learner's License:

If a learner’s license holder repeatedly violates traffic rules, their learner’s license may be suspended or cancelled, and they may be disqualified from obtaining a permanent driving license until they have completed additional training and tests.

Key Restrictions for Learner’s License Holders

Supervision Requirement:

A learner’s license holder must always be accompanied by a person who has held a valid driving license for at least 5 years. If they drive without supervision, they can face penalties.

Passenger Restrictions:

The person supervising the learner must be seated in the front passenger seat. The learner cannot drive without an experienced driver sitting beside them.

Alcohol and Substance Use:

Learner’s license holders must not drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs. They are subject to the same rules as other drivers, and violating this can result in severe penalties, including suspension of the learner's license.

Consequences of Violations for Learner’s License Holders

Financial Penalties:

Similar to other drivers, learners can be fined for various traffic violations, such as:

• Speeding
• Ignoring traffic signals
• Parking illegally
• Not wearing a seatbelt

Cancellation of Learner’s License:

Serious or repeated violations may lead to the cancellation of the learner’s license, meaning the individual would have to restart the process to obtain a new one after completing the necessary tests.

No Validity for Violations While Alone:

If a learner's license holder is caught driving alone (without a supervisor), they will face legal consequences, and the learner’s license may be invalidated.

Example

Case 1:

A learner’s license holder in Mumbai is driving without a validly licensed supervisor and is caught speeding on the highway. The individual is fined ₹2,000 for speeding and ₹1,000 for driving without supervision.

Case 2:

In Delhi, a learner’s license holder is stopped for running a red light. The traffic police fines them ₹500 for the traffic violation. Additionally, the learner is given a warning about adhering strictly to the supervision requirement, and their learner’s license is temporarily suspended for a month due to the seriousness of the violation.

Conclusion

Yes, a learner’s license holder can be fined for traffic violations. While they are allowed to drive under the supervision of a licensed driver, they are still subject to the same traffic laws as regular drivers. Violations such as speeding, running red lights, or driving without supervision can result in fines, suspension, or even cancellation of the learner’s license. It is crucial for learner’s license holders to follow the traffic rules to avoid penalties and ensure their safety and the safety of others on the road.