Why traffic rules are important in India?
Given below are the key points of significance of traffic rules in India:
Prevention of accidents
Adhering to traffic rules is the primary step in preventing accidents and ensuring road safety.
Efficient traffic management
Traffic rules facilitate the smooth flow of vehicles, reducing congestion and delays.
Protection of lives
Following rules such as wearing seat belts and helmets protect individuals from severe injuries during accidents.
Legal consequences
Violating traffic rules can lead to legal consequences, including fines, penalties, and imprisonment.
In conclusion, traffic challans and fines in India are essential mechanisms to enforce road safety and discipline. Checking and understanding traffic challans online, knowing the fines for different violations, and adhering to road safety rules contribute to creating a safer and more organised traffic environment in the country.
It is the responsibility of every road user to stay informed, follow traffic rules, and contribute to building a culture of safe and responsible driving.
Read more: E-challan Status
List of traffic challan fines and violations in India (2025)
Traffic challans, violations and traffic fines in India are categorised into several sections. Here is a table denoting a list of common traffic violations and respective penalties in India.
Violations
|
Penalty (in Rs.)
|
Overspeeding
|
1,000 - 2,000
|
Driving without a valid licence
|
5,000
|
Driving under the influence of alcohol/drugs
|
10,000
|
Using mobile phone while driving
|
1,000
|
Dangerous driving
|
5,000
|
Disregarding lane discipline
|
500
|
Violating one-way rule
|
1,000
|
Illegal U-turn
|
500
|
Disobeying traffic signs
|
1,000
|
Driving on footpath
|
2,000
|
Improper display of number plate
|
2,000
|
Using fancy or unapproved number plates
|
5,000
|
Obscured number plates
|
2,000
|
Vehicle with no number plate
|
5,000
|
Driving with defective lights
|
500
|
Improper use of high beam
|
1,000
|
No taillights or indicators
|
2,000
|
Honking unnecessarily
|
500
|
Using multi-tone horns
|
1,000
|
Continuous honking in no-honking zones
|
2,000
|
Jumping red light
|
1,000
|
Disregarding traffic signals
|
1,000
|
Dangerous overtaking
|
2,000
|
Polluting the environment with vehicle exhaust
|
10,000
|
Vehicle not meeting emission norms
|
5,000
|
Illegal parking
|
500
|
Parking in no-parking zones
|
1,000
|
Obstructive parking
|
2,000
|
Offences related to documents
Violations
|
Penalty (in Rs.)
|
Driving without a valid motor insurance
|
First offence - 2,000
Repeat offence – 4,000
|
Driving without registration certificate
|
First offence – 5,000
Repeat offence – 10,000
|
Not carrying required documents (RC/DL/PUC)
|
500 - 5,000
|
Permit violation
|
10,000 and/or up to 6-months prison, community service
|
Offences related to driving
Driving-related offences can range from minor violations like parking in no-parking zones to more serious infractions such as overspeeding, driving under the influence of alcohol, and reckless driving. These offences may result in fines, penalty points on the driving license, or even the suspension of the license, depending on the severity.
Violations
|
Penalty (in Rs.)
|
Overspeeding
|
1,000 - 2,000
|
Driving without a valid license
|
5,000
|
Driving under the influence of alcohol/drugs
|
10,000
|
Using mobile phone while driving
|
1,000
|
Dangerous driving
|
5,000
|
Offences related to road marking
Driving across, disregarding, or parking on road markings, such as pedestrian crossings or lane dividers, is a violation. These offences ensure safe and organised traffic flow, and violations may lead to fines.
Violations
|
Penalty (in Rs.)
|
Disregarding lane discipline
|
500
|
Violating one-way rule
|
1,000
|
Illegal U-turn
|
500
|
Disobeying traffic signs
|
1,000
|
Driving on footpath
|
2,000
|
Offences related to vehicle number plates
Using improper, damaged, or obscured vehicle number plates is a common traffic offence. Proper display of number plates or a High Security Registration Plate (HSRP) ensures vehicle identification and compliance with road safety laws.
Violations
|
Penalty (in Rs.)
|
Improper display of number plate
|
2,000
|
Using fancy or unapproved number plates
|
5,000
|
Obscured number plates
|
2,000
|
Vehicle with no number plate
|
5,000
|
Also Read : High Security Registration Plate
Offences related to vehicle lights
Faulty or non-functional vehicle lights, or improper usage of high beams, can lead to fines. These offences may compromise road safety, especially during night driving or bad weather conditions.
Violations
|
Penalty (in Rs.)
|
Driving with defective lights
|
500
|
Improper use of high beam
|
1,000
|
No tail lights or indicators
|
2,000
|
Offences related to horn
Using a horn in prohibited areas, such as near hospitals or schools, or excessive use of it is considered an offence. This helps reduce noise pollution and maintains a peaceful environment. Here are the fines related to the usage of horns in vehicles.
Violations
|
Penalty (in Rs.)
|
Honking unnecessarily
|
500
|
Using multi-tone horns
|
1,000
|
Continuous honking in no-honking zones
|
2,000
|
Offences related to traffic signal
Jumping traffic signals is a serious offence that risks road safety. Ignoring signals can lead to accidents and hefty fines, along with penalty points on the driver’s license.
Violations
|
Penalty (in Rs.)
|
Jumping red light
|
1,000
|
Disregarding traffic signals
|
1,000
|
Read more: Challan for Red Light Signal Jumping
Offences related to speed and overtaking
Overspeeding or unsafe overtaking can lead to accidents. These offences attract fines, penalty points, and sometimes even license suspension, depending on the severity.
Violations
|
Penalty (in Rs.)
|
Over-speeding
|
1,000 - 2,000
|
Dangerous overtaking
|
2,000
|
Offences related to pollution
Vehicles emitting smoke beyond permissible limits can be fined under pollution control regulations. Ensuring regular vehicle maintenance helps to reduce pollution and avoid penalties.
Violations
|
Penalty (in Rs.)
|
Polluting the environment with vehicle exhaust
|
10,000
|
Vehicle not meeting emission norms
|
5,000
|
Offences related to parking
Parking in unauthorised areas or blocking traffic is a common offence. Violations lead to fines, vehicle towing, or further legal action, especially in heavily congested areas.
Violations
|
Penalty (in Rs.)
|
Illegal parking
|
500
|
Parking in no-parking zones
|
1,000
|
Obstructive parking
|
2,000
|
Motor vehicle offences and penalties
Penalties for motor vehicle offences range from minor fines to imprisonment, depending on the severity of the violation. Here are some common offences:
Offences
|
Penalty/Sentence
|
Using the vehicle in hazardous conditions
|
Court Challan
|
Out-of-state vehicle for more than 12 months
|
Rs. 100
|
No wiper or side mirror
|
Rs. 100
|
Loading goods vehicle beyond permitted weight
|
Rs. 2000 + Rs. 1000 per extra ton
|
Driving without proper number plate
|
Rs. 100
|
Usage of dark/tinted glasses
|
Rs. 100
|
Breach of permit terms
|
Imprisonment/penalty up to Rs. 5000
|
Please note that fines can vary based on the severity of the offence and specific state or regional regulations. A complete list of traffic violations and fines in India can be found on the official website of the Indian government.
How to Check Traffic Violations and Challans Online: A Step-by-Step Guide
Visit the respective state traffic police website
Access the official website of the state's traffic police where the vehicle is registered.
Navigate to the challan/ fine section
Look for the option related to "Challan" or "Fine" on the website.
Enter vehicle details
Provide the necessary details such as the vehicle number to check your challan.
Check challan status
The website will display the challan status along with details of the violation and the fine amount.
Online payment
If there are pending fines, most websites offer a convenient online payment option.
Read more: How to Pay Traffic Challan Online and Offline
How to pay traffic fines online in India?
Paying a traffic fine online in India is quick and convenient. Visit the official website or app of the respective state’s traffic police or the Parivahan portal. Enter your vehicle details or challan number, view the fine amount, and pay securely using net banking, UPI, or card. Post-payment, save the receipt for records.
- Go to the state traffic police website or Parivahan portal.
- Enter vehicle or challan details to view your traffic fine.
- Verify the fine amount and proceed to payment.
- Choose a payment method such as UPI, debit card, or net banking.
- Complete the transaction and download the payment receipt.
Impact of traffic violations on your driving record
Traffic violations can negatively impact your driving record, leading to penalties and higher insurance premiums. Accumulated offences may result in fines, licence suspension, or even cancellation. Each traffic challan issued is a record of a violation and reflects poorly on your compliance with traffic rules. Maintaining a clean record ensures safe driving, avoids fines, and improves eligibility for benefits like lower premiums or vehicle loans.
- Each traffic challan impacts your driving record by documenting violations.
- Repeated offences can lead to hefty fines, licence suspension, or cancellation.
- A poor record may increase vehicle insurance premiums significantly.
- Violations also reduce credibility when applying for vehicle loans or renewals.
- Driving responsibly ensures a clean record and avoids unnecessary penalties.
Important road safety rules
To avoid traffic challan and ensure road safety, it is crucial to follow important road safety rules. Here are some key road safety rules everyone should abide by:
- Always wear a seat belt or helmet, depending on the mode of transportation.
- Obey traffic signals and traffic police instructions.
- Do not use a mobile phone while driving.
- Always use indicators while turning or changing lanes.
- Do not drink and drive.
Road safety rules for pedestrians
Pedestrians also play a crucial role in ensuring road safety in India. Here are some important road safety rules that should be followed by pedestrians:
- Always use zebra crossings or footpaths while crossing the road.
- Keep an eye out for vehicles while crossing the road.
- Do not jaywalk or cross the road in a hurry.
Also, check: car insurance online
