#FactBulletin: All about traffic challans and how to pay online
What's the story
To manage the road traffic system smoothly, laws like Motor Vehicles Act, Central Motor Vehicle Rules, and State Motor Vehicle Rules are implemented in India.
These laws aim to reduce accidents by improving road-safety. In case of violations, challans (traffic tickets) are issued by traffic police in the name of lawbreakers; punishments include penalties and imprisonment.
Here are various penalties associated with traffic violations.
Section-177
Penalties, punishments for traffic offenses under MVA Section-177
Motor Vehicles Act (MVA) Section-177 deals with "general provision for punishment of offenses."
Some offenses include not carrying valid license while driving, not carrying documents as required, dangerous lane-cutting (splitting), moving against one-way, parking-violations, horn offenses, number-plate offenses, using mobile-phones while driving, etc.
Under Section-177, a fine of Rs. 100 for first offense, and up to Rs. 300 for subsequent offenses would be imposed.
Valid License
Driving without valid license attracts fine, imprisonment
The Section-181 of the MVA relates to driving motor vehicles in contravention of the Act's Sections 3 and 4 that deal with the necessity for a driving license and the prescribed age limit for driving motor vehicles, respectively.
Under this Section, driving without a valid license is punishable with up to Rs. 500 penalty or with imprisonment for up to three months, or both.
Rash Driving
Reckless driving that causes danger to the public
Under the Section-184 of MVA, driving dangerously or recklessly at speed, or in a manner, that is dangerous to others is punishable.
Reckless driving attracts up to Rs. 1,000 penalty, or six months' imprisonment, or both for a first-time offense. A penalty of up to Rs. 2,000, or two years' imprisonment, or both can be imposed for subsequent offenses under the section.
Alcohol, Drugs
Punishment for drunk driving
Drunk driving fatalities have been on the rise. Driving under the influence of alcohol/drugs is punishable under MVA's Section-185. Anyone driving or attempting to drive under the influence will face up to Rs. 2,000 penalty, or six months' imprisonment, or both for the first offense.
For subsequent offenses, a fine of up to Rs. 3,000, or two years' imprisonment, or both would be imposed.
Challans
What are challans and e-challans?
Challans (official notice for imposing fine) are issued when people break traffic rules/laws. E-challans are challans issued electronically; one can check E-challans online and make payments.
Challans can be paid at traffic department offices, traffic police stations, government bill-payment centers, or courts, depending on the type of offense.
E-challans can be paid on official websites. Paytm also accepts challan payments for some cities.
Delhi
Traffic fines and payments in Delhi
In Delhi, challans can be paid by cash/cheque through depository machines at DCP Traffic offices; by cash at Circle Traffic Inspectors' offices; and by cheque at Traffic Training Park (Punjabi Bagh) and some police stations.
E-challans can be paid on Delhi Traffic Police portal https://delhitrafficpolice.nic.in by choosing "Pending notices" under "Notices". After entering vehicle registration-number, users can see pending notices and pay the fine.
Mumbai
Official portal for paying traffic challans in Mumbai
Mumbai Traffic Police reportedly doesn't accept cash fines. Citizens can use debit/credit cards to pay Spot Challans or pay them online within 15 days.
For e-challans, Mumbai Traffic Police's portal offers several payment options, including Paytm and credit/debit cards.
Users should provide vehicle registration-number or challan number to make the payment. E-challans can be paid by cash at some Vodafone stores, too.
Bengaluru
How to pay challans in Bengaluru?
In Bengaluru, challans can be paid at traffic police stations, Bengaluru-One centers, and Traffic Headquarters.
People can check/pay their traffic e-challans on official portals: https://goo.gl/bzfZyA and https://goo.gl/xU2o5G.
Users need to enter details about their vehicle, the registration number, notice (challan) number, email-id, etc. It displays the outstanding fine, after which users proceed to payment.
Users will receive a transaction copy on their email-id.
Hyderabad
Challan payment for traffic penalties in Hyderabad
In Hyderabad, for paying the traffic challans in cash, one can visit the nearest RTO (Regional Transport Office), traffic police office, or eSeva center.
For checking the e-challan status and paying the fine, people can visit official website like http://www.esevaonline.com. After providing the required vehicle details, they can make the payment.
Net banking and debit/credit card payment facilities are available online.