An e-challan, also known as an electronic challan, is a type of digital fine or computer generated challan that's issued to drivers who violate traffic regulations. These e-challans utilize CCTV footage to capture the registration number of vehicles that break traffic rules. Once the vehicle registration number is obtained, the traffic police officers retrieve the contact information of the vehicle owner from the RTO office and issue a traffic challan for violations as per the Motor Vehicle Act, 1988.
An e-challan contains various details, such as vehicle and driver information, violation details, location and time, and fine amount. If due to any reason you didn't pay the challan within 60 days of the issue date, either a traffic policer officer will visit your address or you will be summoned to the court.
India's e-challan system employs a network of - CCTV Cameras & Speed Detectors which are strategically installed on the roads to monitor traffic conditions. The traffic police check the recorded footage on continuous basis and if they find anybody violating traffic rules, they initiate the e-challan process.
The traffic police send a request to the RTO office along with the registration number of the vehicle. The RTO responds back with a detail report having the violator's name, mobile number, address, and other personal data. The traffic police, after receiving the information, issue an e-challan and send it directly on the registered number and email address of the violator.
The e-challan system offers "n" number of advantages for drivers and traffic police. Here are some of them:
The e-challan system improves efficiency and compliance with traffic laws.
Owners can check challan online from the comfort of their home, which saves both - time and effort.
The e-challan system allows vehicle owners to check challan without OTP. They only need the vehicle's registration number, challan number, or driving license number on the Parivahan site to view challan details.
Real-time updates on challan status ensure accuracy and eliminate the chances of errors or manipulation.
With multiple payment and tracking options, users can conveniently settle their dues and ensure no fines remain pending.
You can use the Spinny tool to check challan by vehicle number. All you need to do is to enter the registration number of the vehicle and click submit to check challan status. All pending and unpaid e-challans for the vehicle will be shown.
You can pay for the traffic e-challan online through the Parivahan site. Follow the steps mentioned below to pay challan online:
Step 1: - Go to https://echallan.parivahan.gov.in/index/accused-challan.
Step 2: - In the Challan Details box, enter any of these: Challan Number/Vehicle Number/DL Number.
Step 3: - Enter captcha.
Step 4: - Click Get Detail.
Step 5: - Click on the challan you wish to pay for.
Step 6: - Choose any one of the payment methods – Credit/Debit card, Net Banking, UPI, and Digital Wallet.
Step 7: - Click Pay Now.
Step 8: - You will receive confirmation and transaction ID after successful payment.
When driving it's important to always keep these documents to avoid traffic challans:
Driving license
Registration Certification (RC)
Valid insurance
Pollution under Control (PUC) certificate
Follow these steps -
Step 1: Go to the Parivahan website
Step 2: Click on e-challan System
Step 3: You will be redirected to a new page. Click on 'Get Challan Details'
Step 4: Enter the Registration number of your vehicle, followed by last 5 digits of the chassis number or engine number. Complete the captcha and click on 'Get Detail'
Step 5: The details of your e-challan will be shown. If the information is accurate, click the Pay Now button
Step 6: Select your preferred payment option to make the payment
| Traffic Violation | Challan Amount (Rs) |
| Driving Under Intoxication | First Offense: INR 10,000 and/or 6 months in prison, Second Offense: INR 15,000 and/or 2 years in prison |
| Overloading Pillion Riders | INR 2,000 fine + disqualification of license and/or community service for 3 months |
| Over Speeding Vehicle | INR 1,000 for LMV, INR 2,000 for MMV |
| Driving Dangerously | INR 1,000 – INR 5,000, seizure of license, and/or 6 months - 1 year in prison |
| Driving Without license | INR 5,000 and/or community service |
| Driving Without Valid Insurance | First Offense: INR 2,000 and/or 3 months in prison, community service, Second Offense: INR 4,000 |
| Signal Jumping | INR 1,000 – INR 5,000, license seizure, and/or 6 months – 1 year in prison |
| Two-Wheeler Rider Without Helmet | INR 1,000 + license scrapping for 3 months |
| Riding Without Permit | Up to INR 10,000 |
| Driving Without A Valid Driving license | INR 5,000 and/or community service |
| Unauthorised Driving Of A Vehicle | INR 5,000 and/or community service |
| Not Carrying Necessary Documents Travelling Without Ticket | INR 500 |
| Travelling Without Ticket | INR 500 |
| Driving Despite Disqualification | INR 10,000 |
| Violating Licensing Conditions | INR 25,000 to INR 1,00,000 |
| Driving Without Valid Vehicle Fitness Certificate | INR 2,000 – INR 5,000 |
| Driving Vehicle Without Registration Certificate | INR 2,000 |
| Rules Of Road Regulation Violation | INR 500 |
| Driving Below 18 Years Of Age | INR 25,000 + 3 years of imprisonment for guardian/owner |
| Not Obeying Orders Of The Authorities | INR 2,000 |
| Oversized Vehicles | INR 5,000 – INR 10,000 and/or community service |
| Driving Without Fastening The Seat Belts | INR 1,000 |
| Negligent Driving | INR 1,000 |
| Racing Vehicle On Public Roads | INR 5,000 |
| Not Making Way For Emergency Vehicles | INR 10,000 |
| Stopping At Pedestrian Crossing | INR 100 |
| Violating The Yellow Line | INR 100 |
| Displaying 'Applied For' In License Plate | INR 4,500 |
| Improper Use Of Headlights/Tail Lights | INR 100 |
| Signal Jumping | INR 100 |
| Over Speeding | Up to INR 1,000 |
| Driving Under Influence (Alcohol/Drugs) | INR 10,000 |
| Use Of Mobile Phone While Driving | INR 1,000 |
| Use Of Horn In Silence Zone | INR 100 |
| Driving Without Valid Number Plate | INR 100 |
| Causing Obstruction To Others | INR 100 |
| Parking In 'No Parking' Zone | INR 100 |
| Parking on any Pedestrian Crossing | INR 100 |
| Parking The Vehicle On Walkways | INR 100 |
Payment of any challans issued is mandatory. Failing to pay any pending challans will lead to a court summons to appear in court and make the required payment. Non-payment of challan could also lead to other consequences like additional late fines.
Paying e-challan online is secure and convenient as it uses secure payment gateways to handle your payments as you pay e-challan online.
You can still drive your car if you don't pay the challan. However, you will need to pay the challan within 60 days to avoid any additional fines.
There are multiple ways to pay e-challan in India. The most convenient way is to pay e-challan online. Another option to pay challan is to pay the fine at the local court. Finally, in some cases, you can directly pay the fine to the traffic police.
The process to pay e-challan after due date is the same as the process to pay e-challan online. However, there will be a late fee applied to your challan, which will need to paid to completely clear the challan.
It is easy to content the e-challan if you find that the challan was issued incorrectly, you have the option to contest the e-challan. You can send an email to [email protected] and submit a complaint with the relevant proofs.
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