Mumbai Traffic Rules: A Comprehensive Guide to E-Challans

Apart from being the financial capital of India, Mumbai also happens to be the biggest megacity in the country. Due to the sheer size of its population, as well as its geographical area, Mumbai is one of the most densely populated cities in the world. It’s no wonder then how the on-road traffic situation in the country is concerning. In 2022, more than 8500 road accidents in the country, took place in Mumbai alone . There are various factors behind this alarming figure. Increase in the number of vehicles on the road, rapid expansion, and development of areas in and around Mumbai, and the constant roadwork in the city, may have led to the rise in cases of accidents and unsafe driving. Properly insuring yourself and your vehicle with a Motor insurance policy is important to get good financial assistance in the event of an accident. Now, to deal with the problem of increasing accidents, the Mumbai RTO has implemented E-challans in the city.

Understanding E-Challans In Mumbai

E-challans are electronic challans. Unlike conventional challans, which are usually printed on a paper and handed to you by the Mumbai traffic police, E-challans are sent directly to your registered mobile number. For physical challans, manpower is required at every major road and junction, and which is often not at complete capacity. This creates a burden on the personnel for tracking violations, penalising drivers, and maintaining proper law and order. E-challans have an edge in this situation over physical challans. Taking advantage of technologies such as CCTVs at every signal, junction, and bypass, and speed guns used to measure the speed of vehicles along with the introduction of traffic drones, the Mumbai traffic authorities are constantly keeping an eye on the roads of Mumbai and tracking any violations being committed. If you commit any violation, such as running the red light, over-speeding or overtaking, or crashing into another vehicle and running away from the scene, it is recorded by the authorities, and you are penalised accordingly. As you are required to link your number with your vehicle’s registration number, the challan is sent directly through SMS on your number.

E-Challan In Mumbai: Violations And Penalties

The following is the list of violations and the penalties for them in Mumbai:

Penalty	Amount in Rs.
Driving without license	Rs. 5000
Over speeding	Rs. 1000 to 2000 for light motor vehicles Rs. 2000 to 4000 for medium passenger/goods vehicles A repeat offence will lead to confiscation of the driving license.
Drunk Driving	Up to 6 months imprisonment and/or fine up to Rs. 10000 For a second offence, up to 2 years imprisonment and/or fine of Rs. 15000
Driving uninsured vehicle	Up to 3 months imprisonment and/or fine of Rs. 2000 for a first offence For a second offence, fine will increase to Rs. 4000
Dangerous driving	For a first offence, imprisonment of 6 months to a year and/or fine of Rs. 1000 to 5000 For a second offence, imprisonment up to 2 years and/or fine up to Rs. 10000
Obstructing free-flowing traffic	Rs. 500
Driving despite disqualification	Rs. 10000
Unauthorised use of vehicles without license	Rs. 5000
Driving in a situation when considered mentally or physically unfit to drive	Rs. 1000 and Rs. 2000 for a first and subsequent offence, respectively
Violation of road regulations	Rs. 500 to 1000
Disobedience of orders of Authority and refusal to share information	Rs. 2000
Penalty for offences where no penalty is specifically provided	First offence Rs 500 Subsequent offence Rs. 1500

 

E-Challans: How To Pay?

When you receive an E-challan from the Mumbai traffic authorities, you need not panic. It is quite easy to clear the pending challans in your name. If you are confused about whether you have any existing challans in your name, you can always check the status with the following steps:

1. Visit the Mumbai Traffic Police website
2. Select the E-challan payment option
3. Click on Challan number
4. If you have the challan number, enter the same

Submitting these details will display the challan. If the challan is pending, you can pay it immediately. Do keep in mind that you get a payment period of 60 days. If you fail to pay the fine within this period, you might face legal action from the traffic authorities. It may possibly lead to the cancellation of your vehicle’s registration or your license for an indefinite period. The punishment can also include imprisonment for a certain duration. To pay your E-Challan in Mumbai, here are the steps:

1. Go on the website of the Mumbai Traffic Police and select the E-challan payment
2. Click the vehicle number option and enter your vehicle’s registration number
3. You will be asked to enter the last 4 digits of your vehicle’s chassis/engine number

After you submit these details, you will be presented with a list of challans attached to your vehicle. If any challans have been uncleared, you have the option of paying for them on the website. Clearing them would benefit you. It can help avoid consequences on other aspects of your vehicle, such as any bike insurance online claims you might raise after an accident.*

Conclusion

If you are living in Mumbai and have E-challans issued for any violations you have committed, the information above may have helped you understand and deal with them. Clear the challans within the stipulated time and reduce the chances of any financial complications or any affiliated complications like car insurance renewal or purchase, in the future.   *Standard T&C apply Insurance is the subject matter of solicitation. For more details on benefits, exclusions, limitations, terms, and conditions, please read the sales brochure/policy wording carefully before concluding a sale.