E-Challans are electronic challans introduced by the traffic police in India. Traffic fines are sent to traffic offenders digitally through SMS via E-challans. E-challans have many benefits over normal challans due to their transparency. People issued with an e-challan can instantly go to the E-Challan Parivahan website to pay the dues.
In case of a traffic violation in India, a traffic police fine in the form of an e-challan is issued. This document outlines the violation and the applicable fine. It is obvious that traffic police cannot track every traffic offender and fine them.
Therefore, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways have launched this e-challan system. This electronic system generates challans automatically and maintains a database of past violators.
The e-challans are generated in two ways:
In case a vehicle is pulled over for violating traffic rules and regulations
When surveillance cameras or speed sensors catch traffic violations on the road
Only a few cities have an automated system for issuing e-challans. In other cities the traffic police issue e-challans via an online application connected to an RTO database.
Follow these steps to check the status of your online traffic e-challan:
Step 1: Visit the official website (www.e-Challan.parivahan.gov.in)
Step 2: Select the ‘Check Online Services’ option. Next select ‘Check Challan Status’ from the drop-down menu
Step 3: You will get redirected to a new page. Enter the challan number/vehicle number (with chassis/engine number)/driving licence number
Step 4: Then click on the ‘GET DETAILS’ option and enter the correct captcha
Step 5: Your pending traffic challan status will be displayed on the page. If there are no pending challans against you, a ‘Challan Not Found’ dialogue box will pop up
Follow the given steps to make your online traffic e-challan payment:
Step 1: On the status page, your pending e-challans shall be displayed on the screen
Step 2: Click on the ‘Payment’ option and enter the correct captcha code
Step 3: You get redirected to a secure payment portal to complete the e-challan online payment
Step 4: After payment completion, you will receive an email or SMS notifying that the payment is done
It is always recommended to clear pending challans on time as delaying it could result in a legal action. Here are the steps to complete the traffic challan payment offline:
Step 1: If you have received an e-challan fine, you can visit your nearest traffic police station. You may also carry any letter that you have received for traffic violations
Step 2: At the police station, you can ask if there are any pending challans against your vehicle number
Step 3: The traffic police shall check your records. You can then pay off any pending traffic police challan
Step 4: Remember to always get a receipt after making payment for any challans
You need to follow traffic laws and regulations to avoid any traffic fines or e-challans. Even if you do get an e-challan for traffic violations, it is important to pay the fines at the earliest. You can use the directions given above to find and pay off your traffic e-challans online.
Most importantly, not every time it has to be your fault. Traffic accidents can happen due to no fault of your own. So, it’s best to protect yourself by getting car insurance or bike insurance for you and your vehicle.
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E-challan, or electronic traffic challan, is issued for violating traffic rules and regulations. Offences such as over-speeding, rash driving, unauthorised parking, drunk driving etc. are penalised.
Traffic authorities issue online challans on the spot, as the offence is captured in a traffic surveillance camera. The challan is sent through an SMS to the offender. Traffic e-challans are also sent to the address of the vehicle owner.
You have to make the online traffic challan payment within 60 days. Failing this, you will receive a notice to go to court to make the payment. If you fail to make the payment in court, your driving licence could be cancelled.
Yes, you can also make the payment at the nearest RTO office in your city or at any traffic police station.
You can pay challan online via,
Debit card/Credit card
Internet banking
Digital wallets
UPI
Yes, you will receive a traffic challan for not wearing a helmet while riding a two-wheeler.
Traffic e-challans offer several benefits, such as:
Faster and easier for vehicle owners to make e challan payments
Saves time as you don’t have to visit the RTO to pay fines
Ensures transparency as you can check why you have been issued a challan and the exact penalty
You don’t have to worry about fake and duplicate traffic police challans
It helps get rid of corruption by ensuring that the paid fine goes directly to the government
Easily track and monitor serial traffic offenders
Visit www.echallan.parivahan.gov.in and submit your credentials. Keep e-challan number/vehicle number/driving licence (DL) number handy to enter details.
Online Payment facility is available only for certain traffic violations. They are,
Jumping red light
Driving without a seat belt
Driving two-wheeler without helmet
Using a mobile phone while driving
Disobeying traffic signals
Smoking while driving
Triple riding on two-wheelers
Use of sun film more than the specified limit
Driving on high beam in city limits
Overloading in school vans
Unauthorised use of red/blue beacon
Overloading auto-rickshaws and maxi cabs
Yes, you can view E-Challan online by visiting the official website. Submit the credentials, and eventually get a view of all your pending challans.
You can check your E-Challan transaction details in the following way:
Go to the official Parivahan website (https://echallan.parivahan.gov.in/)
Click on ‘Check Online Services’ present in the top menu bar. Next, select ‘Check Pending Transaction’ from the drop-down menu
You can input either the challan number or the vehicle number to proceed.
Enter the correct captcha code. You shall now be able to check the pending transaction details.
To avoid an e-challan, you must follow all traffic rules & regulations. You should also carry the necessary documents with you while driving.
You can normally pay an e-Challan within 60 days from the date of issuance.
A challan number is a unique number given to each traffic challan. This helps the traffic police keep track of all pending violations. You can use your challan number to pay off your e challan on the Parivahan website.
If you think the E-Challan has been issued wrongly in your name, you can take following actions:
Contact your state’s traffic police through an email
Visi Parivahan official website, and click on the Complaint tab
Mostly yes! However, you can always consult the authorities if you think there is any discrepancy. You can also ask them to play the camera feed, if needed.
Some of the most common traffic violations include:
Overtaking from the wrong direction
Keeping to the wrong side while travelling
Violating traffic signals
Not wearing helmet/seat-belts
In such cases, the traffic department sends a constable to your physical address. Eventually, a summons is issued in your name. If you still default on payment, you have to visit the court for an impending clarification.
Yes, the penalty points also apply for a learner’s licence, so make sure you follow all traffic rules.
You can pay through third-party apps such as GRAS (https://gras.mahakosh.gov.in/echallan/ ) or Park+. You can also pay e-challan through digital wallets like Paytm.
Once you pay for the e-challan, you get a message on your registered mobile number.
No, you cannot be fined for the same offence more than once. However, you can be charged twice if you are found overspeeding in another state.
Here are a few significant traffic violations that can earn you a challan:
Not carrying the necessary licence or permit documents while driving a vehicle
Improper or dangerous driving
Not following road markings
Incorrect number plate display
Not using vehicle lights properly
Overtaking incorrectly
Overspeeding
Not obeying traffic signals
Yes, you can pay for it via the Parivahan website.
No. A traffic fine is not considered a criminal record in India. These are just penalties paid for a breach of rule. The process does not involve any criminal trial or conviction, hence it cannot be called a criminal record.
If you don’t pay an e-challan fine in India,
You may be summoned by court
Your licence might get suspended
Traffic fine might increase
Fine might get recovered through vehicle insurance renewals
Follow all traffic signals, boards and signs
Don't cross permitted speed limits
Do not drink and drive
Always carry your drivers license, vehicle registration, insurance, road tax & PUC certificates
Wear seat belts (four wheeler) or helmet (two wheeler)
Strictly avoid using cell phones while driving. if urgent, take your vehicle to the left of the road, stop, and then answer the call
Use the indicator or hand signals while changing lanes
Stay alert and considerate, especially to senior citizens, handicapped and children
Do not park on the road
Do not overload your vehicles with either luggage or passengers