Pune is a busy city, so multiple roads have been constructed to keep traffic flowing smoothly. Though it is a good step, it has also increased the traffic complexity in the city. Violating traffic rules is a serious offence that may result in heavy fines. Driving without a licence challan in Pune means driving without a valid driving license or DL. Read this blog to understand the consequences of driving without a valid driving licence in Pune.
Table of Contents
What is a Licence Challan?
To drive any vehicle in India, you need a valid driving licence. The driving licences issued for commercial and personal vehicles are different. Similarly, the licences can further be classified into light motor vehicle and heavy motor vehicle licences depending on their type.
If you are found driving a vehicle without the required licence, the traffic inspector will impose a fine via a challan. Different types of traffic violations attract different types of penalties.
Overspeeding, jumping a signal, not wearing a seatbelt, and other types of traffic violations also result in a traffic challan. These days, CCTV cameras with sensors are installed on the highways and city roads. Therefore, it is quite easy to trigger an e-challan even if the traffic inspector is not physically present. It is advised that you follow all the traffic rules while driving in Pune.
What is the Fine for Driving Without a License in Pune?
The fine for driving without a licence in India varies according to the state you are driving in. In case you are driving without a DL in Pune, the fine in Maharashtra will be applicable to you. The table below reveals more information regarding this offence:
| Offence | Fine |
| First-time offender | Rs. 5000 |
| Repeat offender | Up to Rs. 10,000 |
These charges are also applicable if your licence has expired or does not match the vehicle type you are driving. Repeat offenders may also be sentenced to jail for up to 3 months, or the vehicle can be impounded till you produce a valid driving licence and clear all the pending challans. Avoid such traffic violations, as your insurance will not cover the damages if you are found driving without a valid DL.
How to Pay a Challan for Driving Without a License in Pune?
You can either pay the challan online or offline these days. Both these methods are discussed in detail below:
- Offline Method
If the traffic inspector issues a challan directly, ask him whether you can pay it then and there. In most situations, they will have the e-challan machine that allows you to clear the challan via UPI, debit card, or credit card. Cash is not accepted as a means of payment these days.
- Online Method
There are multiple methods to pay a licence challan online these days. You can either visit the eParivahan site and check the challan online after entering the challan number.
Alternatively, you may also enter your vehicle number to check the pending challan issued against it. Once you select a challan, you can pay a fine via online payment methods and save the receipt for future reference.
Online apps like Spinny also provide an online e-challan payment facility. You can also use our official website to check and pay multiple challans at once. For that, you just have to enter the vehicle number in the designated field after opening the app or website. You may also download the PDF of the payment receipt for your reference.
All the pending challans against your vehicle must be cleared within 90 days from the date of issuance. If you don’t clear them within 90 days, a court summons can be issued for impounding your vehicle. Also, you can avoid the late payment charges if you clear the challan on time.
How to Avoid Getting a Challan for Driving Without a Licence Challan in Pune?
Some ways to avoid getting fined for driving without a valid driving license in Pune are explained below:
- Keep All the Documents Ready
The important documents of your vehicle, such as a driving licence, Registration Certificate (RC), insurance, and Pollution Under Control (PUC) Certificate (for vehicles older than 15 years), must be carried while driving in Pune.
If you are unable to produce any of these documents, you shall be fined by the traffic inspector. You shall also be liable to pay the fine if the insurance is found to have expired while checking. Therefore, ensure that the insurance is valid at all times while driving a vehicle in Pune.
- Renew the Licence On Time
You must keep renewing your licence before it expires to avoid a challan for driving without a licence in Pune. In some areas, it may be possible to avoid getting a challan for 30 days after the licence expires. However, these rules differ from one state to another. Therefore, you must keep checking the licence regularly and get it renewed before the expiry date.
- Driving With the Wrong Licence
The driving licence issued for a truck is different from the driving licence issued for a car or jeep. In short, you must only use the driving licence issued for your specific vehicle.
Also, commercial vehicle licences cannot be used for personal vehicles and vice versa. If you keep these things in mind while driving, you can avoid paying a licence challan in Pune.
- Follow All The Traffic Rules
Traffic rules are meant to be followed by everyone while driving. Not following them creates risk for not only yourself but also for others. As a responsible citizen, you must adhere to all the traffic rules.
If you are unaware of them, you can check online resources to learn about the old and updated traffic rules. You can also learn to drive at a driving school to be updated with the latest traffic rules and driving protocols. Also, don’t drive a vehicle if you don’t have a valid licence yet.
Conclusion
These were some important points to remember while driving in Pune. In case your driving licence has expired, renew it to avoid the challan. Also, understand how to clear the e-challans on time to avoid hefty penalties and other legal actions in the future. Following the traffic rules and carrying the documents related to your vehicle is a must while driving in Pune. Also, avoid overspeeding and jumping the signals even if there are no traffic inspectors around. This is because the CCTV cameras and speed guns are installed in most places these days.
FAQs
Q. How to challenge a traffic challan in court?
Before challenging a traffic challan in court, ensure that you have enough evidence to support your claim. Graphical evidence, such as a video or a photo, is also important to establish your innocence. Installing a dashcam on the vehicle is a good idea to avoid fake challans or traffic fines.
Q. Can I pay an e-challan online in Pune?
Yes, it is possible to clear an e-challan online through the official eParivahan portal. Apps such as Spinny also provide a simple way to view and pay online challans. You may use different digital payment methods, such as net banking, UPI, and credit/debit cards, to pay for an e-challan.
Q. How to reduce challans in Pune?
You may attend a Lok Adalat to settle your pending challan. If you settle multiple challans at once, you may also get a good enough discount. However, remember that only the challans of non-serious nature, such as not wearing a helmet, parking in the no-parking zone, etc., are included in the waiver. For serious traffic violations such as driving in an intoxicated state, rash or reckless driving, etc. do not get any relief in Lok Adalat unless you prove your innocence.
Q. Should I hire an advocate to fight my case in Lok Adalat?
You can present your case yourself in the Lok Adalat. Therefore, there is no requirement to hire an advocate to support your claim or case.
Q. Can I expect to get an insurance claim if I was driving without a licence?
No, insurance companies do not accept claims for damage repair and neither do they provide accidental cover if you were caught without a licence while driving.
