Motorists can show docs in Digilocker during traffic checks: B'luru cops' U-turn

The clarification comes after reports suggested that traffic police officials would fine motorists Rs 2,000 if they are not carrying a hard copy of their vehicle insurance.

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Bengaluru Traffic Police officials clarified that motorists in the city can show documents stored on Digilocker, the national Digital Locker System, during traffic police checks.

The clarification comes after reports suggested that traffic police officials would fine motorists Rs 2,000 if they are not carrying a hard copy of their vehicle insurance. The Traffic Police's official Twitter account caused the confusion while replying to queries of multiple users of the social media platform on Thursday.

"It is here by clarified that The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has issued an advisory to states to accept driving licence, Registration certificate or other documents in 'electronic form' presented through Digilocker or mParivahan platform as valid under the Motor Vehicle Act 1988 and treat them at par with the certificates issued by the transport authorities,” a statement by Bengaluru Traffic Police said.

Earlier on Thursday, the traffic police department replying to multiple queries through the official Twitter account said that while soft copies of documents will be accepted during traffic police checks, the original hard copies of the driving licence and insurance will be required in case of any violation committed by the rider or if the vehicle is seized. "In digilock DL, RC and Emession certificate is accepted (sic). It can be showed, but in case of any violation committed by driver/rider or if vehicle seized original (hard copy) DL is required", Bengaluru Traffic Police's official Twitter account stated.

Insurance must be in hard copy only (original), In digilock DL, RC & Emission certificate is accepted. but in case of any violation committed by driver/rider or if vehicle seized original (hard copy) DL is required BengaluruTrafficPolice (@blrcitytraffic) September 6, 2019

However, an amended provision in the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989 states that, "Citizens can produce the transport related documents such as registration, insurance, fitness and permit, the driving licence, certificate for pollution under check and any other relevant documents, if required, in physical or electronic form on demand by any police officer in uniform or any other officer authorized by the State Government in this behalf."

Traffic police officials booked 2,978 cases against offenders and collected a fine of Rs 30.1 lakh within the first 37 hours of the new traffic rules being implemented in the city. Traffic police stated that along with vehicle insurance, motorists need to carry driving licence, registration certificate, and emission certificate.

The higher traffic fine amounts have been fixed as per the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019. The new rules were implemented starting September 2 in Karnataka since September 1 was a Sunday.

A Bengaluru resident had to cough up a fine of Rs 17,000 for multiple traffic offences on Tuesday evening, which is the highest fine amount paid in the city since the higher fares kicked in. The motorist was caught driving without a helmet and without carrying a license. Moreover, he was found to be in an inebriated condition.