Surat is not only a tourist location but also a major hub for trade in India. The steady influx of visitors and traders creates quite a bit of chaos on the busy streets and roads of the city. Therefore, as a local or a visitor, you must be careful while driving in Surat. One of the basic requirements is carrying your driving licence with you. The driving licence must be valid and appropriate for the vehicle you are driving. If found without a driving licence, a licence challan will be issued against your vehicle. This article talks about how to clear a licence challan and how to avoid getting it.
Table of Contents
What is a Licence Challan?
A licence challan is one of the traffic challans that is issued when a person is found without a licence while driving. Forgetting to carry the licence, driving with an expired licence, and driving with a wrong licence, i.e. the licence that is not meant for your vehicle, lead to a licence challan.
Due to the stringent traffic rules in the country, driving without a licence is a serious traffic violation. Also, a licence is the first thing that traffic police ask for when you are found violating any traffic law. Therefore, abiding by the traffic laws is also a must these days, especially since you cannot escape CCTV cameras, speed guns, and other advanced technologies installed to detect the law breakers.
Along with the licence, you must also carry the Registration Certificate (RC), insurance, and Pollution Under Control (PUC) Certificate (for vehicles older than 15 years). Not carrying any of these documents also leads to a challan. As a good practice, you must store all these documents along with the driving licence in your vehicle only.
What is the Fine for Driving Without a License in Surat?
The fine for driving without a licence challan in Surat is the same as the fine charged in other parts of Gujarat. The table below provides the fine amount and other details regarding the penalty amount for driving without a licence challan in Surat:
| Offence | Fine |
| First-time offender | Rs. 5000 |
| Repeat offender | Rs. 10,000 |
The fine for the first offence is Rs. 5000, which can be increased to Rs. 10,000 if you are found without a driving licence for the second time. Repeat offenders may also be sentenced to jail for up to 3 months, or their vehicle can be seized. These punitive actions are mostly taken if the driver breaks other traffic laws and doesn’t have a licence either.
How to Pay a Challan for Driving Without License in Surat?
The payment for the licence challan can be made either offline or online. The offline ways include direct payment of the challan fees to the traffic police using the challan vending machine. The machine lets you pay via QR scanner, credit card, and debit card. You can also visit the nearest RTO and clear the challan by paying against it. Also, you must collect the payment receipt after clearing a licence challan. This receipt can prove to be useful in the future.
The online payment method against a licence challan is also quite easy and straightforward. The following steps will guide you through the same:
- Step 1: Start by visiting the official site of eParivahan. On the homepage of this site, you will find a link named ‘check challan status’. Click on this link to proceed further.
- Step 2: A new page will be opened after clicking on this link. You can enter your challan number to view it online. Or else, you may also enter your vehicle number and check the pending challans one by one.
- Step 3: After that, you can pay against the challans you want. The option of raising a complaint against a wrongly charged challan is also provided on this website.
- Step 4: The payment for the e-challan can be done via UPI, net banking, credit card, or debit card. Save the payment receipt for future reference.
On our Spinny app or website, you can view all the pending challans online by providing your vehicle number in the required space. You can also clear multiple challans at once by selecting them all at once. The payment receipt is downloadable in PDF format.
Note: Always clear a challan as soon as possible. Ignoring the challan payment can lead to a court summons after the passage of 90 days from the date of challan issuance. Your vehicle can be seized, or your licence can be suspended after that.
How to Avoid Getting a Challan for Driving Without a Licence Challan in Surat?
There are multiple ways to avoid a licence challan while driving in Surat. Some of these ways are explained below:
- Save The Digital Copy Of Licence
The driving licence can also be saved digitally on your phone using apps like DigiLocker. This digital copy can be shown when you forget your original licence at home. The digital copies of your Registration Certificate (RC), PUC, and insurance can also be saved on your smartphone.
- Check The Validity Of Your Licence
Checking the validity of your driving licence from time-to-time is also important. It will help you renew the licence before it expires. An expired licence also leads to a licence challan, and therefore, you must get it renewed in a timely manner.
The driving licence you hold must also be appropriate for the vehicle you are driving. For instance, you will require an LMV-TR licence for driving commercial cars or taxis, whereas an LMV-NT licence is applicable for private cars.
LMV stands for Light Motor Vehicles, such as cars, SUVs, jeeps, etc. HMV stands for Heavy Motor Vehicles, such as buses and trucks. Likewise, the licence for driving HMV vehicles is different from the licence for driving LMV vehicles. Carrying a valid driving licence appropriate for your vehicle will save you from a licence challan in Surat.
- Raise A Complaint Against Wrongly Issued Challan
You can also raise a complaint against a wrongly issued challan on your vehicle. For that, you can visit the eParivahan site and click on the ‘Complaints’ tab. Here, you will be able to select the challan type and reason for complaining against the issued licence challan.
You will also have to describe the issue and attach evidence supporting your claim. Most drivers also install a dashcam on their vehicle to collect photographic and videographic evidence while driving.
- Get Waivers/Discounts For A Challan
To get your challan cancelled or waived-off, you can visit a Lok Adalat. Lok Adalat meaning people’s court is held to close the trivial cases. For the first traffic offence of trivial nature, the challan may be waived off completely. However, you can also expect a discount if you clear multiple challans at once.
- Drive Carefully
Driving carefully is the basic requirement to avoid any types of traffic challans. Ignoring the traffic signals and speed limits might get you in trouble. Maintaining your lane, avoiding tailgating, and following all the traffic rules are also important to avoid accidents. Also, avoid using a phone while driving and wear your seatbelt/helmet properly while driving. Following these rules not only keeps you safe but also protects you from different types of traffic challans.
Conclusion
We are sure you have understood the importance of driving with a valid driving licence in Surat. Carrying a digital copy of the licence will save you from the challan on days when you forget your original licence at home. Following all the traffic rules and raising complaints against a wrongly issued challan will also help you avoid paying the licence challan.
FAQs
Q. Can a licence challan be cancelled?
Yes, you can get the licence challan cancelled if it was wrongly issued against your vehicle. For that, you can visit the RTO with your valid licence and other supporting evidence. Or else, you can file an e-complaint on the eParivahan site and provide the evidence that supports your claim.
Q. Can I attend a Lok Adalat to get the traffic fines reduced?
Yes, you may attend a Lok Adalat to get a discount on trivial traffic violations such as wrong parking, overspeeding without causing any accidents, not wearing a seatbelt properly, etc.
Q. Does honking near hospitals and schools lead to a challan?
A traffic challan can be issued for honking near silent zones such as schools and hospitals. A fine of Rs. 1000 is charged in this case.
Q. What is the difference between LMV and LCV?
LCV stands for “light commercial vehicles,” whereas LMV stands for “light motor vehicles.” Small trucks and goods carriers come in the LCV category, whereas jeeps, cars, and small vans come under the LMV category.
Q. Which type of insurance is compulsory for all vehicle owners in India?
All the vehicle owners in India must get third-party liability coverage for their vehicles, irrespective of the vehicle type or category. However, a comprehensive car insurance policy including personal accident coverage is suggested for the maximum protection of the vehicle owners.
