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Traffic Laws

I got an e-challan. How do I check, pay or dispute it?

Simple answer

Check it yourself on the official Parivahan e-Challan site or app. Under rules changed in January 2026, you generally get 45 days to pay it or contest it online. If you do neither, it can be treated as accepted. Challans sent to court can be handled on Virtual Courts.

Real-life examples

Ayesha in Pune got an SMS about a red-light camera challan on her scooter. She opened the official e-Challan site herself, entered her vehicle number, saw the camera photo and paid online. She saved the receipt.

Joseph sold his car last year, but a new challan came in his name. Within 45 days he contested it on the portal, uploading the sale papers and proof of ownership transfer. The authority can now check who owned the car that day.

Tenzin got a WhatsApp message with a link to 'pay your challan now'. On the official site, there was no challan against his bike. The link was a scam.

What should you do?

  1. 1Open echallan.parivahan.gov.in or the mParivahan app yourself and search by challan, vehicle or licence number. Never pay through a link in an SMS or WhatsApp.
  2. 2Check the offence, date, place and any photo or video evidence.
  3. 3If it is correct, pay online within 45 days and save the receipt.
  4. 4If it is wrong, contest it on the portal within 45 days and upload proof, such as sale papers or photos.
  5. 5If the challan has gone to court, pay or contest it on Virtual Courts, or ask about your state's next National Lok Adalat.
  6. 6Paid through a fake link? Call 1930 right away and tell your bank.

Exceptions & limits

  • Serious offences like drunk driving cannot be settled by paying online. They go to court, and only the court decides the punishment.
  • Unpaid challans can block RC and licence work like transfer or renewal. Five or more offences in one year (counted from 1 January 2026) can lead to your licence being suspended.
  • If your objection is rejected, you can go to court, but you may first have to deposit part of the fine.

Official legal reference

  • Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 — Sections 136A, 200

    Allows camera-based (electronic) traffic enforcement, and lets state-authorised officers settle (compound) many offences for an amount the state sets.

    Read the official text

  • Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989 — Rule 167 (substituted January 2026)

    How challans are issued, paid or contested on the portal, the 45-day window, and blocking of services for unpaid challans.

    Read the official text

  • Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989 — Rule 21(25)

    The licensing authority can disqualify a driver for five or more offences in one year, counted from 1 January 2026.

    Read the official text

Where to get help

Parivahan e-Challan

Check and pay traffic e-challans.

echallan.parivahan.gov.in

Virtual Courts

Contest or pay traffic challans that have been sent to court.

vcourts.gov.in

National Cyber Crime Helpline

Report online financial fraud immediately so the money trail can be frozen.

Call 1930cybercrime.gov.in

Source & status

Applies to
Varies by state
The Act sets the fines, but each state decides settlement (compounding) amounts, which may be lower, and is rolling out the 2026 challan process on its own timeline. Check your state traffic police or transport website.
Law in force since
21 Jan 2026
Legal review
Draft — awaiting lawyer review

Educational information, not legal advice for your case. Exact facts and the law that applies matter — speak to a lawyer before acting.

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