Parliament Question: Regulation on honking and vehicle horn standards

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO - 3779 ANSWERED ON - 25/03/2026 REGULATION ON HONKING AND VEHICLE HORN STANDARDS 3779. SHRI ABDUL WAHAB: Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS be pleased to state: (a) whether Government has taken cognisance of the growing problem of excessive and unnecessary honking in urban areas and its impact on noise pollution and public health; (b) the existing legal decibel limits prescribed for vehicle horns and the enforcement mechanism in place; (c) whether any assessment has been conducted on compliance by vehicle manufacturers with prescribed horn standards; (d) whether Government proposes stricter penalties for misuse of horns; and (e) whether mandatory low-decibel or smart horn systems will be introduced to curb noise pollution at source? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS (SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI) (a) & (b) Government in Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH) has notified Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989 (CMVR), wherein the horn is identified as a mandatory safety-critical component. In this context, horns fitted on motor vehicles are required to comply with the following Indian Standards: a. IS 1884 – specifying component-level requirements for vehicle horns, and b. IS 15796 – specifying installation requirements after fitment of the horn on the vehicle. The permissible sound pressure level of the horn, measured after installation on the vehicle, shall be as follows: 1. 83 dB(A) to 112 dB(A) for horns fitted on two-wheelers and three-wheelers having power less than or equal to 7 kW.2. 87 dB(A) to 112 dB(A) for horns fitted on all other motor vehicles, including tractors, and two-wheelers and three-wheelers having power greater than 7 kW. Government in Ministry of Environment & Forests and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) has notified Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control), Rules, 2000 under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. As per rule 3(3) of the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control), Rules, 2000, the State Government shall take measures for abatement of noise including noise emanating from vehicular movements [blowing of horns, bursting of sound emitting fire crackers, use of loud speakers or public address system and sound producing instruments] and ensure that the existing noise levels do not exceed the ambient air quality standards specified under rules. (c) Vehicle and component manufacturers have to seek approval at the time of type approval of new vehicle as well as continued compliance as part of Conformity of Production. (d) & (e) Under Rule 5A (1) of the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000 the use of sirens and multi-toned horns on vehicles should continue to be prohibited in the silence zone and during night time in the residential zone as prescribed under the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000 except during a public emergency. As per Rule 119(2) of CMVRs, 1989, no motor vehicle including agricultural tractor and combine harvester shall be fitted with any multi-toned horn giving a succession of different notes or with any other sound-producing device giving an unduly harsh, shrill, loud or alarming noise. Section 194F of Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 mandates that whoever, while driving a motor vehicle sounds the horn needlessly or continuously or more than necessary to ensure safety, or sounds the horn in an area with a traffic sign prohibiting the use of a horn, shall be punishable with a fine of one thousand rupees and for a second or subsequent offence with a fine of two thousand rupees. Further, as per Section 190(2) of Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 any person who drives or causes or allows to be driven, in any public place a motor vehicle, which violates the standards prescribed in relation to road safety, control of noise and air-pollution, shall be punishable for the first offence with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three months, or with fine which may extend to ten thousand rupees or with both and he shall be disqualified for holding licence for a period of three months and for any second or subsequent offence with imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine which may extend to ten thousand rupees or with both. *****