Traffic Fine Amounts India 2026 - Complete List

The Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act 2019 drastically increased traffic fines. Here's every fine you need to know - and which violations carry criminal liability.

May 20269 min read

Key Takeaways

1The MV Amendment Act 2019 increased most fines by 5–10x compared to the 1988 Act.
2Drunk driving, racing, and dangerous driving carry both fines and criminal imprisonment.
3Driving without insurance now carries a ₹2,000 fine (first offence) or 3 months imprisonment.
4States can further increase fines above the central minimums - check your state's rates.

Fines for the Most Common Violations

These are the central government minimums under the MV Amendment Act 2019. States can set higher amounts - Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu have notified higher fines for several categories.

Driving without valid licence: ₹5,000 (first offence)
Driving without valid insurance: ₹2,000 or 3 months imprisonment (first offence); ₹4,000 or 3 months (repeat)
Driving without helmet (two-wheeler): ₹1,000 + 3-month DL suspension
Not wearing seatbelt (four-wheeler): ₹1,000
Using mobile phone while driving: ₹1,000 (first); ₹10,000 (repeat)
Jumping red light: ₹1,000 (first); ₹5,000 (repeat)
Overspeeding: ₹1,000–2,000 for LMV; ₹2,000–4,000 for medium/heavy vehicles
Driving without PUC certificate: ₹10,000 or 6 months imprisonment

Serious Offences - Fines Plus Criminal Liability

The 2019 Act created a new category of 'dangerous' offences where offenders face both a fine and criminal prosecution. These are not just traffic violations - they are criminal acts under the law.

Drunk driving (BAC > 0.03%): ₹10,000 or 6 months imprisonment (first); ₹15,000 or 2 years (repeat)
Racing or speed trials on public roads: ₹5,000 or 3 months imprisonment
Dangerous driving: ₹1,000–5,000 or 6 months to 1 year imprisonment
Driving without consent of owner: ₹5,000 or 3 months imprisonment
Overloading passengers (commercial vehicles): ₹1,000 per excess passenger

Juvenile driving (person under 18 driving): ₹25,000 fine and the vehicle owner/guardian faces 3 years imprisonment. The juvenile's DL eligibility is delayed by 1 year.

Fines for Vehicle and Document Violations

Beyond moving violations, fines also apply for vehicle condition and documentation failures. These are commonly checked at police checkpoints.

No RC (Registration Certificate): ₹5,000
Expired RC: ₹5,000
Overloading (goods vehicle): ₹20,000 + ₹2,000 per tonne over limit
Vehicle without proper lighting / defective lights: ₹500–1,000
Wrong number plate / non-standard plate: ₹5,000 + DL suspension
Tinted windows (beyond permissible limits): ₹500–1,000

How State Fines Differ from Central Rates

The MV Amendment Act 2019 sets minimum fines - states can notify higher amounts and many have. Below are confirmed state-level differences for the most commonly issued challans.

* Maharashtra revised helmet fines post-2019. Amounts may be updated by state notification - always check the fine shown on your issued echallan for the exact state-applicable amount. The echallan portal amount is authoritative.

Where and How Challans Are Issued in India

Traffic challans in India are issued through two mechanisms: manual challans written by traffic police officers on the spot, and automated e-challans generated by cameras. Both types appear on the national echallan portal.

Automated systems include: ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) cameras in Delhi, Bengaluru, Mumbai and Chennai; speed radar cameras on national highways; red light cameras at major intersections; and integrated traffic management systems (ITMS) in smart cities. These systems photograph the violation and automatically generate a challan linked to the vehicle number.

If you receive an SMS about a challan you believe is incorrect, you can contest it. You have the right to appear before the adjudicating officer or file an appeal. The echallan portal shows the evidence (often a camera photo) for automated challans.

What Happens If You Don't Pay a Challan

Unpaid challans do not expire. They accumulate against your vehicle number and driving licence. If challans remain unpaid, the RTO can withhold RC renewal and driving licence renewal at the time of application.

In states like Delhi, Karnataka and Maharashtra, traffic police can also impound vehicles or detain the driver for multiple unpaid challans during routine checkpoints. Court challans (issued by a magistrate for serious offences) carry additional consequences including warrant of arrest if ignored.

Your vehicle's RC renewal and DL renewal can be blocked at the RTO if you have pending unpaid challans. Clear all dues before approaching the RTO for any service.