How does a traffic challan in Chennai get closed once it has gone to court? In most cases, through the National Lok Adalat, and the next sitting in Tamil Nadu is on 12 December 2026. Compoundable challans issued by the Greater Chennai Traffic Police, which include most camera and spot fines, can be settled there without a court fee and without a regular hearing.
Tamil Nadu does not always hold its sittings on the national dates. In 2026, the state held its second Lok Adalat on 13 June instead of 9 May. Settlement is also possible online through e-Lok Adalat, which suits owners who cannot visit the court on a Saturday. Drunk driving, hit and run and accident cases involving injury are not taken up.
The first step is to check the e-challan status in Chennai and see which challans on the vehicle are marked for court.
Lok Adalat dates in Chennai 2026
- 14 March 2026: National Lok Adalat (held)
- 13 June 2026: National Lok Adalat, held in Tamil Nadu in place of the 9 May sitting (held)
- 12 September 2026: National Lok Adalat (held)
- 12 December 2026: National Lok Adalat (upcoming)
The Tamil Nadu State Legal Services Authority (TNSLSA) announces each sitting and any change in date. This section will be updated with the 2027 schedule once it is released.
Upcoming Lok Adalat in Chennai: 12 December 2026
- Date: Saturday, 12 December 2026
- Venue: Court complexes in Chennai named in the TNSLSA or district legal services authority notice
- Cases taken up: Compoundable traffic challans pending in court
- Online option: e-Lok Adalat through the Virtual Courts system
- Payment: At the desk on the day, or online during an e-Lok Adalat session
What is Lok Adalat for traffic challans?
It is a settlement forum that works under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987. When a traffic challan reaches court, the case would normally wait for a hearing before a magistrate. At the sitting, the bench takes up the challan directly, confirms the amount payable and closes it on payment. The settlement is final, and no appeal lies against it.
Also Read: Lok Adalat 2026: What is Lok Adalat, dates, types and cases covered
Which challans can be settled in Chennai Lok Adalat?
Eligibility depends on whether the offence is compoundable, that is, whether it can be closed by paying a fine.
| Offence | Applies to | MV Act section | Standard fine | Covered? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Over-speeding | Both | Sec 183 | ₹1,000–₹2,000 (LMV) | Yes |
| Red light jumping / phone use while driving | Both | Sec 184 | ₹1,000–₹5,000 | Yes |
| Riding without a helmet (rider or pillion) | Bike | Sec 194D | ₹1,000 | Yes |
| Driving without a seatbelt | Car | Sec 194B | ₹1,000 | Yes |
| Lane indiscipline / honking in a silence zone | Both | Sec 177 / 194(2) | ₹500 onwards | Yes |
| Not producing vehicle documents | Both | Sec 177 / 196 / 190(2) | ₹500 onwards | Yes |
| Drunk driving | Both | Sec 185 | ₹10,000 and/or jail | No |
| Hit and run / accidents causing injury | Both | Criminal law | Court-decided | No |
Standard fines under the Motor Vehicles Act, 2019. Tamil Nadu may notify its own compounding amounts, and the bench fixes the final figure.
How to settle a challan in Chennai Lok Adalat
Look up the challan
Enter the vehicle number, challan number or licence number on the e-challan portal, or select Tamil Nadu on the Virtual Courts website. A challan shown as pending in court, or referred to Lok Adalat, can be taken up at the sitting. Two-wheeler owners may also run a bike challan check, and the court challan page shows which court a notice is with.
Choose in-person or online settlement
For an in-person sitting, the venue and timing are given in the notice. For e-Lok Adalat, registration is done through TNSLSA or Virtual Courts, and the meeting link is sent to the registered mobile number or email.
Keep these documents ready
- Challan number or printout
- Driving licence and RC
- Insurance and PUC certificates
- Aadhaar or another photo ID
Settlement and receipt
The bench reviews the challans and states the amount to be paid. Payment is made at the desk for in-person sittings, or online during an e-Lok Adalat session. The receipt should be retained, as the portal may take a few days to show the challan as disposed.
What if you miss the Lok Adalat in Chennai?
The challan continues to remain pending in court. It can still be cleared through any of the routes below.
| Route | What it means |
|---|---|
| Virtual court | Pay the amount fixed by the virtual court online |
| Next sitting | Settle it at the first national sitting of 2027 |
| Magistrate court | Appear in court to contest or settle the challan |
Long-pending challans can also delay an RC transfer, which matters for owners who plan to sell their car.
Also Read: Virtual Court Challan: How to Check, Pay or Contest Traffic Challans Step by Step
FAQs about Lok Adalat Challan Settlement in Chennai
Q. When is the next Lok Adalat in Chennai?
The December sitting on 12 December 2026 is the next one, and it is the last for the year. Since Tamil Nadu moved its May sitting to 13 June this year, it is advisable to confirm the date on the TNSLSA website a few days in advance.
Q. Can I attend Lok Adalat online in Tamil Nadu?
Traffic challans in Tamil Nadu can be settled through e-Lok Adalat, which runs on the Virtual Courts system. The hearing takes place over video, the amount is paid online during the session, and the receipt is sent by email.
Q. How do I know if my challan has been referred to Lok Adalat?
The Virtual Courts website shows the status of each challan once Tamil Nadu and the challan type are selected. If a challan appears as referred to Lok Adalat or pending in court, it is eligible to be taken up at the next sitting.
Q. Will my traffic fine be waived at the Chennai Lok Adalat?
A waiver is not automatic. The bench considers each challan separately and may settle it at a lower amount or at the full fine, depending on the offence and the circumstances.
Q. Can I walk in without registering?
Some venues in Tamil Nadu allow registration on the spot, subject to the challan being eligible. Registering in advance, however, avoids delays on the day and confirms that the challan is listed for the sitting.
Q. What happens if traffic fines are not paid in Chennai?
Unpaid challans are forwarded to court over time and remain attached to the vehicle. This can result in court notices and may hold up services such as RC transfer when the vehicle changes hands.
