E-challan Kerala

A Kerala E-Challan is a digital copy of a traffic challan. Like paper challans, these are issued by traffic authorities to motorists who are caught violating traffic rules and must be paid within a set time limit.

In Kerala, only the traffic police are allowed to issue and collect E-Challans. The state's traffic laws on the other hand, are detailed under the Motor Vehicles (MV) Act of 1988 – administered by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.

Some common traffic violations you may know already are drunk driving, riding a bike without a helmet, running a red light, speeding, etc.

Reason for Issuing the E-Challan: Your E-Challan in Kerala will state your traffic violation. E.g., parking in the no parking zone, driving without a licence or insurance, etc.

Vehicle Information: Your vehicle information, like the registration number, licence plate number, colour, make, and model, will be specified.

Unique Identification Number (UIN): All E-Challans in Kerala have a unique identification number. This number can be used to track the challan's status online through official portals.

Location and Time of Traffic Violation: Your E-Challan will state exactly when and where your traffic law violation occurred. In other words, it will state the exact location and time of your violation.

Fine Amount: Your E-Challan in Kerala will specify the fine amount to be paid.

Fine Payment Instructions: Your E-Challan will provide instructions on how to pay your fine. It will also specify information like the challan's validity and any additional penalties if you do not pay your fine within the due date.

Contact Information: It will state the contact information of concerned authorities in case of additional queries on your part regarding the fine payment.

E-challans in Kerala are issued electronically using CCTV footage via Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras. The ANPR system is connected to the state's Privahan portal and will extract vehicle owner details and issue E-Challans on the spot.

If you are issued an E-Challan in Kerala, you will be notified via text message or receive a copy of it from the traffic police at the location of your traffic violation.

Kerala traffic police are given an E-Challan swiping machine to issue E-Challans on the spot. This machine also generates a copy of the E-Challan entry on the police server to keep a digital paper trail.

The fine must be paid within 60 days of issuance through offline/online methods. If you fail to pay within the specified time limit, you can be liable to pay additional fines or be summoned for a court hearing.

Via the Privahan Website

• Visit the Kerala Motor Vehicles Department website.

• Click Citizen Corner and then click E-Challan. You will be directed to the E-Challan Parivahan website.

• Enter your Challan number and the captcha code.

• Click 'Get Details' to check your E-Challan Parivahan Kerala status.

Via the Kerala Police Department Website

• Visit the Kerala Police Department portal.

• Enter your vehicle registration number and click 'Search'.

• The next page will display your challan information with a list of all your pending fine payments.

Official Portals/Websites:

The Kerala Police Department Website

The E-Challan Parivahan Kerala Portal

Payment Apps For Mobile Users:

On the Paytm App

Here are step-by-step instructions on how to make your E-Challan payments in Kerala through the listed websites and apps.

Via the Kerala Police Department Website

Visit the Kerala Police Department portal.

Enter your vehicle registration number and click 'Search'.

You will be shown a list of all your unpaid E-Challans. Select the E-Challan you wish to pay off and click 'Proceed to Pay'. A message box will appear. Click 'Ok' to continue.

Select your mode of payment, enter your details and click 'Make Payment'.

Once your payment has been processed, you will be redirected to another page displaying your transaction status – Success or Failure of payment.

Download your payment receipt by clicking 'Generate Invoice'. Maintain this document for future reference as proof of payment.

Via the E-Challan Parivahan Kerala Portal

Visit the E-Challan Parivahan portal.

Click 'Pay Online'.

Choose your preferred option: Challan Number, Vehicle Number or Driver's Licence Number.

Enter the corresponding details with the Captcha. Click 'Get Details'.

Choose the E-Challan(s) you want to pay off.

Select your mode of payment, enter the required details and proceed to pay your fine.

Once your payment has been processed, download the payment receipt and ensure you maintain it for future reference. It will serve as proof of payment should any complications arise.

Via the Paytm App

Open the Paytm mobile app on your phone.

On the home page, select 'Show More' and then tap 'Recharge and Pay Bills'.

Next, choose 'Challan'.

Select the traffic authority of the city/state you live in.

Enter your E-Challan (UIN) number, registration number or driving licence number.

Tap 'Proceed' to be shown your challan details. Note your fine amount here.

Enter your fine amount and choose a payment mode - Paytm UPI, debit, credit or net banking.

Once the payment is done, download and save the receipt for future reference.

Via a Traffic Police Officer

You can choose to pay your E-Challan in Kerala in person through any traffic police officer who carries an E-Challan. For example, if you were issued an E-Challan in person, you can pay your fine on the spot and get your payment receipt.

You can also approach an officer with a handheld E-Challan machine with your driver's licence and registration details and enquire about your E-Challan payment. You can refer to the printed copy you receive and make your fine payment.

Visit Your Nearest Traffic Police Station

You can pay your challan in person by taking your driver's licence, registration details, and E-Challan printout to a traffic police station in your city.

Enquire about challan payments at the front desk and pay your fine in cash. Ensure you get your payment receipt before leaving.

Visit the E-Challan Parivahan portal and click on 'Check Pending Transaction' or 'Check Failed Transaction' under 'Check Online Services'.

Enter your Challan number or vehicle registration number and the captcha code. Click 'Get Details'.

You will be shown your payment transaction status for the corresponding E-Challan.

For further assistance regarding any problem with your payment processes or other technical issues, we recommend submitting a ticket through the Grievance Redressal feature available on the portal.

Since most E-Challans in Kerala are issued using CCTVs and ANPR cameras, there can be cases where an E-challan is issued to the wrong vehicle.

If you have been wrongfully issued an E-Challan, you can get it cancelled online by filing a complaint through the Privahan portal's Grievance System. You also do not need to pay a fine under the issued E-Challan to get it cancelled.

For any technical issues with your Kerala traffic fine payments online, you can email your complaint or call the website's helpline number.

As stated, Kerala's narrow roads and the limitations they impose on the rising number of motor vehicles can lead to increased traffic/congestion and more road accidents.

To minimise this effect, it is your responsibility as a fellow motorist to adhere to basic road safety rules when driving.

This not only keeps you safe but also ensures the safety of others on the road and facilitates the free flow of traffic. Here are some common rules you should remember to follow when driving in Kerala:

No Phones When Driving

Wear Your Seatbelt

Wear a Helmet When Driving a Bike/Scooter

Do Not Exceed the Speed Limit

Obey Traffic Signals

Use the Right Signals

Left-side driving

Overtaking Rules

Let us take a closer look at what these precautions mean:

No Phones When Driving: Talking on the phone or texting while driving is the number one cause of road accidents. Keep your eyes on the road at all times and put your phone on silent to mitigate any distractions.

If it is an emergency, pull over and park your car away from oncoming traffic first before answering or making any phone calls.

**Wear Your Seatbelt:**Most people tend to overlook this rule when driving despite the fines they incur. However, during collisions, seatbelts are your best defence.

During extreme collisions, they protect your body's vital parts and keep you from being ejected from your vehicle due to the force of the impact – this can be deadly if it were to happen.

Wear a Helmet When Driving a Bike/Scooter: Helmets prevent serious head injuries if you fall off your two-wheeler during a collision. These are always deadly and if caught without one, you and your pillion rider will be issued a helmet fine in Kerala.

Do Not Exceed the Speed Limit: Driving at high speeds, especially on rainy days, can cause your vehicle to skid, hydroplane or, in more extreme cases, cause you to lose control of your vehicle when braking.

This is most often the case when driving on highways. Hence, we advise against overspeeding or rash driving, no matter how sparse traffic may be.

Obey Traffic Signals: Not following minor rules like slowing down near pedestrian crossings, stopping at a red light, not pausing at stop signs, etc., may seem harmless at first.

However, these can lead to major road accidents, disrupt traffic and compromise pedestrian safety.

Use the Right Signals: Indicators and hand signals when turning, merging, braking, or slowing down alerts other motorists of your actions.

Therefore, if your vehicle's indicators are damaged, get them repaired, as driving with faulty indicators can make you liable to pay Kerala police E-Challans.

Left-Side Driving: Always drive on the left side of the road in India and allow divers to overtake you from the right. For example,

For one-way streets, allow drivers behind you to overtake from your right.

For two-way streets, allow vehicles driving in the opposite direction to pass your right.

Overtaking Rules: In case you need to overtake a vehicle, you must do it from the right after flashing your indicator or blowing your horn. Avoid overtaking on narrow roads, as it can cause collisions.

Your E-Challan payments in Kerala must be done within 60 days of issuance, either online or offline. Failure to pay can invite more fines and other legal consequences. Here are the two most common outcomes:

If you do not pay within the due date, a police officer will be dispatched to your address to collect your traffic fine in person.

If no one is home, you will get a court summons to discuss the details of your E-Challan with a judge, leading to either a suspension or cancellation of your licence.

Also Read: Traffic Fines In Kerala

Driver's licence

Motor Insurance

Vehicle Registration Certificate (RC)

Pollution Under Control (PUC) Certificate

Permit (For Commercial Vehicles)

Let us take a closer look at what these documents are.

Driving Licence: This serves as an ID for motorists. You must always have your driving licence handy when driving in Kerala, and your driver's licence must be valid.

Motor Insurance: All vehicles must be insured with at least third-party motor insurance in India. For example, if you own a bike, you must have a valid third-party two-wheeler insurance policy to avoid getting an E-Challan in Kerala.

Vehicle Registration Certificate (RC): All vehicle owners must register their vehicle(s) at a Regional Transport Office (RTO). Upon registration, you will receive your vehicle's RC, which you must carry with you at all times when on the road.

Permit: Commercial vehicle owners need to get permits along with their driving licences. If you drive a vehicle for commercial purposes, you must carry your permit along with your other documents.

Pollution Under Control (PUC) Certificate: A PUC is a certified document that states your vehicle's emission levels are within permissible levels set by the Indian government. You can get your PUC certificate by visiting an emission testing centre.

Also Read:

How To Apply For A Driving License In Kerala?

RC Status Kerala

Out of all the documents stated above, your driver's licence and motor insurance certificate are the two most important documents that you must have on hand. Motor insurance, especially, can protect you against legal and financial liabilities in case of an accident.

For example, Kerala state citizens who own two-wheelers must own at least a third-party bike insurance policy to ensure legal compliance and avoid incurring any E-Challans in Kerala. Thankfully, bike insurance policies are relatively easy to buy and can be bought online.

At Tata AIG, we offer several types of two-wheeler insurance online to ensure all your insurance needs are met.

We also offer online renewals for sustained insurance coverage and other value-added services like cashless claims, No Claim Bonus discounts, 24/7 customer service, etc.

Feel free to visit our website and browse through our available car and bike insurance policies to find your perfect match!

The implementation of the E-Challan system in Kerala offers motorists a safe and convenient way to pay their traffic fines and perform their Kerala RTO fine checks to avoid any late payments.

The digitisation of these payment processes also greatly benefits traffic authorities as it allows them easy access to vehicle information through an integrated database.

Moreover, since Kerala is a prominent tourist destination in India, there is always a constant influx of motor vehicles. To avoid incurring any E-Challan in Kerala, we recommend following the pointers listed on this page and ensuring you have all your documents in order.

To make one part of this process easier, buy your bike insurance policy online from Tata AIG!