If you drive a two-wheeler or four-wheeler in Kerala, you must abide by all the traffic rules. As a thumb rule, carry all the important vehicle-related documents while driving. Avoid any silly mistakes like jumping a signal or driving without a seatbelt. However, one of the most important rules is carrying a valid driving licence. If you break this rule, you will be eligible for a licence challan in Kerala. More details about what a licence challan is and how it can be avoided are provided in the sections below.
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What is a Licence Challan?
A licence challan is a penalty charged against your vehicle for driving without a valid licence. The penalty or fine may vary from one state to another. Yet, it is important to acknowledge the fact that it is one of the most common traffic law violations in the country.
To be eligible for a traffic challan, you don’t have to be caught by the traffic police while breaking a traffic rule. These days, CCTV cameras and speed guns are installed duly on roads and highways. Therefore, if you are found violating any of the traffic rules, such as overspeeding or reckless driving, an e-challan will be issued immediately for your vehicle. You can check this e-challan online on the official website of eParivahan.
Also, it is a good practice to carry all your documents, such as Registration Certificate (RC), valid insurance, and Pollution Under Control (PUC) Certificate, while driving in Kerala. You can also keep the digital copies of the same in case you forget the physical ones.
What is the Fine for Driving Without a License Challan in Kerala?
As we said earlier, the fine for driving without a valid driving licence varies from one state to another. The fines imposed for such violations have increased by leaps and bounds in recent years. Also, heavy fines and even imprisonment provisions have been made for repeat offenders. More details on the amount of fine charged for driving without a driving licence challan in Kerala are given below:
| Offence | Fine |
| First-time offender | Rs. 5000 |
| Repeat offender | Rs. 10,000 |
If you are violating this rule for the first time, you will have to pay a fine of Rs. 5000 to clear the challan. However, if you repeat this offence, you may have to pay a double fine, i.e. Rs. 10,000. Also, if you keep driving without a licence in the future, your vehicle can be seized, or you could be sentenced to jail for up to 3 months. To avoid these issues, you must drive only with a valid driving licence in Kerala.
How to Pay a Challan for Driving Without a License in Kerala?
The process of clearing a challan is pretty straightforward if you have been pulled over by a traffic inspector. Just get the challan details from them and pay the fine offline using their challan machine. You can also choose to pay the challan online through eParivahan and other apps. Here’s a step-by-step process that will guide you through the same:
- Step 1: Visit eParivahan’s official site by using your mobile or laptop. You can also download apps like Spinny to view and clear e-challans.
- Step 2: Once you open the app or website, you can enter the challan number. If you don’t have the challan number with you, simply enter your vehicle number in the provided space.
- Step 3: Any outstanding traffic challans linked to your vehicle will appear on the screen. Check them one by one to ensure that they are genuine.
If you find any wrongly issued challans against your vehicle, you can get them cancelled from the traffic court. However, you will have to produce the evidence in the form of photos or videos to validate your claim.
- Step 4: Now, select the challans that you want to clear. On Spinny’s app and website, you can select e-challan and clear multiple challans at once. You can also download the receipt in PDF format and save it for future reference.
As a good discipline, you must clear the challan immediately once it is issued. If you ignore paying it even after 90 days after issuance, the court can summon you. Also, the insurance companies can check your records to verify past violations and pending challans while settling your claims. Therefore, it is always wise to obey all the traffic laws and clear the challans on time.
How to Avoid Getting a Challan for Driving Without a Licence in Kerala?
There is no way to avoid a challan if you are caught driving without a valid licence in Kerala. However, you can reduce the risks of challans by following these rules and tips while driving:
- Carry All Your Documents
Driving without an RC and valid insurance also comes under a traffic violation. It is also a serious offence which may increase your penalty if you are already driving without a licence. Therefore, keep these documents at least in digital form to avoid getting hefty fines while driving.
- Don’t Break the Traffic Laws
The traffic police don’t ask for the driving licence from random drivers. They only do so when you are caught violating a traffic law. So, it is recommended that you follow all the traffic rules and regulations.
Avoid silly violations such as not wearing a seatbelt (helmet for motorcycles), talking on the phone while driving, using fancy number plates, etc. Do not overspeed while driving and ensure that you keep a safe distance from the other vehicles.
Reckless driving is a serious offence and may land you in big trouble. If you are not aware of the traffic laws and signal rules, you can search for them online. Also, if you don’t have a permanent driving licence yet, avoid driving altogether. Get the licence from your nearest RTO after clearing all the tests, and then hit the road!
- Ask for a Discount
Traffic rules are quite strict. Yet, you may expect a discount for trivial violations if you plead for the same in the Lok Adalat. Lok Adalat, or People’s Court, is organised to help reduce the burden from regular courts. Here, you can show your challans and get discounts, especially if you clear multiple challans at once.
- Check the Validity of the Licence
Driving with an expired licence in Kerala is also considered a traffic violation. The penalty is equal to the penalty for driving without a licence. So, you must check the validity of your licence from time to time to avoid any issues.
You must also ensure that you are carrying the right licence, which is applicable to your vehicle. For instance, you cannot show a two-wheeler licence while driving a car or jeep. Similarly, the licences issued for light vehicles such as cars are different from those issued for heavy trucks and containers. Therefore, you must get the right licence, which is valid for your vehicle, before venturing out on the roads.
Conclusion
We hope you have understood how to avoid a licence challan in Kerala. Maintain your vehicle properly and keep all the documents handy while driving. Also, don’t forget the licence at home or at least carry a digital copy of the same in your phone. Clear the pending challans from time to time to avoid court summons and other legal troubles. Finally, obey all the traffic rules and ensure that you don’t break traffic laws while driving. This will not only ensure your safety but will also keep others safe when you drive in Kerala.
Also Read: Overspeeding challan in India
FAQs
Q. Can I avoid paying a licence challan in Kerala?
No, you cannot avoid paying a licence challan issued for not carrying a valid driving licence while driving. If you don’t clear it within 90 days of issuance, you may face legal trouble.
Q. Can I carry a digital copy of the driving licence to avoid a challan?
Yes, you may carry a digital copy of your driving licence and RC to avoid a challan while driving. You can use your insurer’s app or apps like DigiLocker to avoid the challans issued for not carrying them.
Q. Is using a fancy number plate a traffic violation in Kerala?
Yes, using unusual colours, fonts, and designs for the number plate is considered a traffic violation. You may be charged Rs. 5000 or even more for violating this rule.
Q. Should the co-driver also wear the seat belt?
Yes, the co-driver must also wear the seat belt, as all the front occupants should wear them while the vehicle is in motion.
Q. Is it possible to drive without a driving licence in Kerala?
No, driving without a valid driving licence is considered a violation of the traffic laws, and you will be charged with a Rs. 5000 penalty for the same.
