What is a Traffic Challan? Complete Guide to Traffic Violations in India

Driving on Indian roads is often an adventure, but it comes with a set of responsibilities that are stricter than ever before. Gone are the days when a traffic violation just meant a heated debate by the roadside.

Today, with the Intelligent Traffic Management System (ITMS) and high-speed cameras watching over our cities, you might receive a penalty on your phone before you even reach your destination.

In this blog, we will explore what traffic challans are, how they impact your wallet and easy ways to pay them. Let’s begin.

What Does a Traffic Challan and E-Challan Mean?

A traffic challan is a ticket that the traffic police issue when someone violates traffic laws. This could range from jumping a red light to driving while drunk. These are paper-based physical copies.

An E-Challan serves as a digital penalty issued by traffic authorities for contravening traffic regulations. Unlike traditional paper-based fines, an E-Challan is electronically generated and transmitted to offenders. This modern approach enhances efficiency and accuracy in enforcing traffic laws.

Challans specify the nature of the violation, details of the car or bike and the fees required.

What are the Common Traffic Violations Rates in India?

Breaking traffic rules can lead to penalties and pose serious risks to road safety. To curb increasing violations, India implemented stricter traffic fines in March. Here are the traffic challan rates in 2026:

Note: These are basic fines. State governments can further increase the traffic fines according to the Motor Vehicles Act of 1988.

As we can see, even violations like driving without a license or valid motor insurance attract hefty fines. Therefore, always renew your car insurance on time to ensure that small mishaps don’t lead to fines and challans on your car.

What are the Steps to Check E-Challan Status Online?

Checking your E-Challan status online is a simple process that can be done in just a few simple steps. Here's a detailed explanation of each step:

Step 1: Visit the Parivahan Website

Start by opening your web browser and going to the official Parivahan website. This is where you'll access the tools needed to check your E-Challan status.

Step 2: Access the E-Challan Section

Once you're on the Parivahan website, look for the E-Challan section. This section is usually found on the homepage, under tabs like "Services" or "Traffic Services." Click on it to proceed.

Step 3: Enter Vehicle Details

In the E-Challan section, you'll be asked to provide specific details about your vehicle. This typically includes your vehicle's registration number or the E-Challan number if you have it.

Step 4: Submit Information

After entering the required details, click on the "Submit" or "Get Details" button. This action sends your information to the system for processing.

Step 5: View E-Challan Details

Once your information is processed, the website will display your E-Challan details. This includes information about the violation, the amount of the fine, and the current status of the E-Challan.

Step 6: Check Car Details

Take some time to carefully review the information provided. Make sure that all details, including the date and location of the violation, are accurate.

Step 7: Take Necessary Action

Based on the information you've received, you can now decide what action to take. If there's a pending fine, you may choose to pay it online through the Parivahan platform to clear the E-Challan.

State-Wise E-Challan Portals

Did you know, apart from the Parivahan Sewa website, state governments also have their own websites from which you can access your challan details? Through that, you can easily perform traffic challan payment online.

Let’s see some of the websites of the top cities and states below:

If you’re having trouble remembering the names of the official website, you can directly search for ‘State Name E-Challan’. However, always verify whether the websites are official. Look for ‘.gov’ or ‘.in’ at the end of the link.

Also Read: How to Get a Learning Licence in Andhra Pradesh: All You Need to Know

How to Pay E-Challan Online?

Paying an e-challan online is quick and hassle-free. Here’s how:

●       Check Your E-Challan Status: Visit the Parivahan Sewa website or the state website and locate your outstanding challans.

●       Initiate Payment: Click on the ‘Pay Now’ button next to your challan.

●       Authenticate Payment: Enter the OTP sent to your registered mobile number.

●       Choose Payment Method: Select your preferred payment mode, such as debit card, credit card, net banking, or UPI apps like GPay or PhonePe.

●       Download Receipt: Once the payment is successful, download the receipt as proof of settlement.

What if the Challan is Unpaid?

Failing to pay your e-challan within the stipulated time can have significant consequences. Authorities issue e-challans to enforce traffic discipline, and non-payment is treated as a violation of the law. Here are the potential repercussions of ignoring an unpaid e-challan:

1.     Court Summons

If you fail to pay your e-challan on time, you may receive a summons to appear before a traffic court. This can lead to legal proceedings where you must explain the reason for non-payment.

Ignoring the summons can further escalate the matter, potentially resulting in additional fines or penalties.

2.     Driver’s License Suspension

Repeated non-payment of e-challans can result in the suspension of your driving license. You will be legally prohibited from driving until the dues are cleared and your license is reinstated.

Authorities may impose stricter penalties for habitual offenders. To avoid these complications, it is crucial to pay your e-challans promptly. You can use online platforms like the Parivahan Sewa website or offline methods to settle the fines efficiently.

3.     Late Payment Fees

When you don’t pay traffic fines on time, authorities will impose additional fees. Although these are minor amounts, they can quickly accumulate. This can lead to financial burdens, leading to legal troubles.

 Sometimes, traffic police may put a double or triple the fine if you ignore your challans. Therefore, always perform traffic challan checking regularly and pay the fine on time.

Also Read: MCWG Full Form in Driving Licence: Meaning, Benefits & How To Apply

How to Dispute a Wrong Challan?

Yes, you can challenge a traffic challan if you think it has been imposed on you wrongfully. There are 2 methods through which you can do this. They are:

Online Way

Although e-challans have made paying challans easy and hassle-free, they aren't free from errors. Therefore, to address this, the Parivahan Sewa website has a grievance section. Follow these steps below:

●       Step 1: Visit the Parivahan Sewa website and navigate to the ‘Grievance System’

●       Step 2: Enter Your Challan Number

●       Step 3: Next, you have to provide your name, phone number, and other necessary details

●       Step 4: From the drop-down list, choose the kind of grievance that you’d like to report

●       Step 5: Submit the form after everything is filled out

You can also send an email to their official email address with evidence of wrongful challan and other important documents. But you have to keep following up for updates, as the process can take up to 15 days.

Offline Way

If you’re not comfortable with the online method, you can still dispute a wrong traffic challan. Here’s how:

●       Step 1: Visit your local traffic police station, from where you have received the challan

●       Step 2: Submit your evidence, such as dashcam video, GPS location or photos, along with a written complaint

●       Step 3: Request a hearing date from the police officer and follow up.

Also Read: Check Vehicle Owner Details in Haryana: Step-by-Step Process

How to Spot Fake Challan Messages?

The hassle-free nature of e-challans has made scammers creative. They are now sending fake e-challan messages to fish for money. They will send you an SMS saying ‘Your Challan No. – for vehicle (registration number) with ₹1,000. For online payment, visit (fake official website link).’

Though the real message looks really similar to this, you can spot the fake mistakes easily. Here’s how:

1. Check if the vehicle number they provided is yours. You can look at the number plate or the blue book of your car for this.
2. Check the payment link they have sent. The official website always ends with ‘.gov.in.’ Fraudulent websites may end with only ‘.in’.
3. Lastly, verify the challan number easily from the Parivahan Sewa website.

By following these 3 methods and not panicking, you can easily spot fake messages and save your money.

How to Avoid E-Challans?

E-challans are issued to ensure road safety and compliance with traffic regulations. While they promote discipline, receiving an e-challan can be inconvenient and may result in hefty fines. Prevention is always better than a cure.

By adhering to traffic laws and practising responsible driving, you can avoid e-challans and contribute to safer roads. Here are some essential tips to help you avoid traffic fines:

Digitalise Your Documents

Imagine you get stopped at a signal, and the police officer asks for your license. You suddenly realise you’ve left it at home.

And just like that, you’ll be fined ₹2,000. But when you digitise these documents, you don’t have to worry. Under the Motor Vehicles Act, electronic versions of your documents are legally valid.

Download the mParivahan or DigiLocker app. Link your Driving License (DL) and Registration Certificate (RC) in the app. That way, you can never forget your documents at home if they are on your phone. This prevents fines under Section 181 (Driving without a license), which can be as high as ₹4,000.

The Insurance Papers Rule

Many drivers treat car insurance renewal as a flexible deadline. However, traffic databases are now linked with the Insurance Information Bureau (IIB). ANPR cameras in some smart cities can cross-verify your number plate against the insurance database instantly.

Driving without valid third-party insurance attracts a fine of ₹2,000 for the first offence and up to ₹4,000 (or imprisonment) for subsequent offences (Section 196). You can easily curb this problem by setting reminders for your policy expiry.

Renewing your policy with providers like Bajaj General Insurance takes less than 5 minutes online and saves you from this hefty penalty.

Respect the Zebra Crossing

A frequent but overlooked violation is stopping on or beyond the white stop line at a red light. Traffic cameras use sensors embedded in the road or visual recognition to trigger a challan the moment a tyre crosses the stop line while the signal is red.

Always stop your vehicle so that the entire front bumper is behind the white line. This simple habit prevents jumping red fines, fines that range from ₹1,000 to ₹5,000.

High-Security Registration Plates (HSRP)

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has mandated HSRPs for all vehicles. Old, fancy, or damaged number plates are a magnet for e-challans.

What happens is that when a camera cannot read your plate due to damage, mud, or other reasons, it will flag it down for a fine for an improper number plate. 

Therefore, ensure your vehicle is fitted with a standard HSRP and colour-coded fuel stickers and keep the plates clean and unobstructed.

The PUC Trap

The penalty for not having a valid Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate has seen one of the steepest hikes under the amended act. The fine is now ₹10,000 for the first offence.

This is significantly higher than the cost of getting the certificate, which is approximately ₹100 to ₹200.

PUC certificates have shorter validity periods (usually 6 to 12 months). Check the date on your sticker today.

Update Your Mobile Number

You cannot solve a problem you don't know about. Many vehicle owners have outdated mobile numbers linked to their RC. If you receive an e-challan and don’t get the SMS, the fine remains unpaid. Unpaid fines can be sent to a virtual court, leading to a summons.

Visit the Parivahan Sewa portal and update your current mobile number against your vehicle registration to receive instant alerts.

Final Thoughts

Driving responsibly is key to avoiding e-challans. Bajaj General Insurance understands the importance of safe driving and offers a range of car insurance options to suit your needs and budget. Choose from comprehensive coverage for maximum protection or opt for cheap car insurance for essential coverage. With Bajaj General Insurance Limited, you can drive with peace of mind, knowing you're protected on the road.

FAQs About Traffic Challans

How to check E-Challan online?

To check your e-challan status online, visit the Parivahan Sewa website. Enter details such as your vehicle number, driving license number, or challan number to retrieve the information. The platform provides a user-friendly interface to access and verify your challan details instantly, ensuring a smooth process for all vehicle owners.

Do I need to register on E-Challan Parivahan’s site to check the status?

No registration is required to check your e-challan status. Simply visit the Parivahan Sewa website, navigate to the e-challan section, and enter the relevant details. This hassle-free approach ensures quick access without needing to create an account, making it convenient for users to monitor and manage their challans.

How can an E-Challan be cancelled on Parivahan?

E-challans cannot be cancelled unless there’s a genuine error. To dispute an incorrect challan, contact the relevant traffic authority and provide valid proof, such as vehicle documents or other evidence. The authorities will review your case and decide whether the challan can be rectified or nullified.

How to download the challan status file?

Once you check your challan status on the Parivahan website, there is an option to download or print the details. This feature allows you to save a digital copy or generate a hard copy for future reference, ensuring that you have accessible documentation of your challan status whenever required.

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