Traffic Challan Fine List 2026: Overspeeding, Helmet, PUC and More
What is the traffic challan fine list for 2026? The central fine list comes from the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019, which raised most penalties tenfold: driving without a licence costs up to Rs 5,000, riding without a helmet Rs 1,000 plus possible licence suspension, drunk driving Rs 10,000, and overspeeding between Rs 1,000 and Rs 4,000 depending on the vehicle.
Below is the complete fine chart with the Motor Vehicles Act sections, so you know exactly what each offence costs and where your challan amount comes from. One important note first: these are the central maximums. States may set their own compounding amounts at or below these ceilings, so your actual challan can differ slightly by state. The amount printed on your challan is the one that applies to you.
Open the e-Challan portal
Visit echallan.parivahan.gov.in, the official Ministry of Road Transport and Highways portal.
Choose Check Challan Status
Select the check option and enter your vehicle registration number, challan number or driving licence number.
Solve the CAPTCHA
Complete the CAPTCHA to view all pending challans on the vehicle.
Verify the details
Check that the offence and fine amount match your records before paying.
Pay and save the receipt
Pay via UPI, card or net banking and download the payment receipt.
Complete Traffic Challan Fine List 2026
| Offence | Section (MV Act) | Fine (central maximum, first offence) |
|---|---|---|
| General offence (no specific penalty) | 177 | Rs 500 |
| Rules of the road violation | 177 | Rs 500 |
| Disobeying orders of a traffic officer | 179 | Rs 2,000 |
| Driving without a valid driving licence | 181 | Rs 5,000 |
| Driving despite licence disqualification | 182 | Rs 10,000 |
| Overspeeding (light motor vehicle, cars) | 183 | Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,000 |
| Overspeeding (medium or heavy vehicles) | 183 | Rs 2,000 to Rs 4,000 |
| Dangerous or rash driving | 184 | Rs 1,000 to Rs 5,000 (first offence) |
| Drunk driving (first offence) | 185 | Rs 10,000 and/or up to 6 months imprisonment |
| Drunk driving (repeat within 3 years) | 185 | Up to Rs 15,000 and/or up to 2 years imprisonment |
| Racing or speed trials | 189 | Up to Rs 5,000 |
| Driving without insurance | 196 | Rs 2,000 |
| Driving without a valid PUC certificate | 190(2) | Up to Rs 10,000 |
| Riding without a helmet (rider and pillion) | 194D | Rs 1,000 plus 3-month licence disqualification |
| Not wearing a seat belt | 194B | Rs 1,000 |
| Using a handheld mobile phone while driving | 184 | Rs 1,000 to Rs 5,000 |
| Jumping a red light / signal violation | 184 | Rs 1,000 to Rs 5,000 |
| Overloading (goods vehicle) | 194 | Rs 20,000 plus Rs 2,000 per extra tonne |
| Overloading (extra passengers) | 194A | Rs 1,000 per extra passenger |
| Triple riding on a two-wheeler | 194C | Rs 1,000 plus possible licence disqualification |
| Not giving way to emergency vehicles (ambulance, fire engine) | 194E | Rs 10,000 |
| Vehicle used without a permit | 192A | Up to Rs 10,000 |
| Unauthorised use of a vehicle without a licence (owner’s liability) | 180 | Rs 5,000 |
| Offences by juveniles (guardian or owner liable) | 199A | Rs 25,000, registration cancelled, juvenile ineligible for licence until age 25 |
| Offences committed by enforcing officers | 198 | Twice the penalty for the relevant offence |
The Big Ones Explained: Traffic Challan Fine List Highlights
Overspeeding fine
Overspeeding is graded by vehicle class. For light motor vehicles, which includes private cars, the fine under Section 183 runs Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,000 for a first offence. For medium and heavy goods or passenger vehicles, it is Rs 2,000 to Rs 4,000. Speed limits vary by road and state, so always watch for the posted limit, not just the national default.
Helmet and seat belt fines
Riding a two-wheeler without a helmet, whether as rider or pillion, costs Rs 1,000 under Section 194D and can also lead to a three-month disqualification of your driving licence. Not wearing a seat belt in a car costs Rs 1,000 under Section 194B. The helmet rule has an exemption for Sikh riders wearing turbans in several states.
PUC fine
Driving without a valid Pollution Under Control certificate is an offence under Section 190(2), carrying a fine of up to Rs 10,000. This is one of the most frequently issued challans today because ANPR cameras at fuel pumps and on roads now flag expired PUC certificates automatically. Our detailed guide on the fine for driving without a PUC certificate explains the state-wise amounts and how to get a PUC in ten minutes.
Drunk driving fine
The harshest personal-offence fine: Rs 10,000 and/or up to six months of imprisonment for a first offence under Section 185. A repeat offence within three years can bring up to Rs 15,000 and/or two years of imprisonment.
Why Your Challan Amount Can Differ by State
The Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019 sets the ceiling, and each state decides its actual compounding fee within that ceiling. So an offence with a Rs 5,000 central maximum may be compounded at Rs 1,000 in one state and Rs 5,000 in another. Delhi, for example, lists Rs 10,000 for driving without a valid PUC, while some states compound the same offence at Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,000.
States can also run special enforcement drives and amnesty windows with different effective amounts. Kerala’s 2026 amnesty scheme, for instance, offered a 50% concession on eligible pending challans from November 2026.
How to Check and Pay Your Challan Online
- Visit the official e-Challan portal run by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways
- Choose “Check Challan Status” and enter your vehicle registration number, challan number or driving licence number
- Solve the CAPTCHA to view all pending challans on your vehicle
- Verify the offence details and the fine amount before paying
- Pay online using UPI, debit card, credit card or net banking, and save the payment receipt
For state-specific checking options beyond the national portal, see our guide to challan check state-wise portals. If you believe a challan was wrongly issued, read our guide on disputing a wrong e-challan on Parivahan, and if you paid but the status looks wrong, check the e-challan payment and refund status guide.
What is the traffic challan fine list for 2026?
The 2026 fine list follows the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019: no licence Rs 5,000, drunk driving Rs 10,000, no helmet Rs 1,000, overspeeding Rs 1,000 to Rs 4,000 depending on vehicle class, no PUC up to Rs 10,000, and no insurance Rs 2,000. States may compound offences at lower amounts within these central maximums.
What is the fine for overspeeding in India?
Under Section 183, overspeeding costs Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,000 for light motor vehicles like cars and Rs 2,000 to Rs 4,000 for medium and heavy vehicles. The exact amount on your challan depends on the state’s compounding schedule.
What is the fine for riding without a helmet?
Rs 1,000 under Section 194D, applicable to both rider and pillion on a two-wheeler, plus possible disqualification of the driving licence for three months.
Can traffic challan fines be paid online?
Yes. Pay on the official e-Challan portal at echallan.parivahan.gov.in using your vehicle registration number or challan number, via UPI, cards or net banking.
What happens if I do not pay a traffic challan?
Unpaid challans stay on your vehicle’s record and can now block RC renewal, PUC issuance and driving licence renewal under the Supreme Court’s September 2026 order. Pay them before they escalate.
Are these fine amounts the same in every state?
No. These are the central maximums under the 2019 amendment. Each state sets its own compounding fee at or below the ceiling, so always go by the amount on your challan.
