Mumbai is known as the commercial capital of India, and its economy is constantly rising. The City of Dreams attracts many young minds who come in hopes of fulfilling their dreams. This is one of the main reasons why Mumbai has an ever-growing number of vehicles on the roads, which leads to an increasing number of accidents and traffic violations.

The Government of India amended the Motor Vehicles Act in September 2019, now known as the “Motor Vehicles Amendment Act 2019”, to reduce the number of road accidents and traffic violations and keep everyone safe.

Although the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act 2019 came into effect on 1st September 2019 nationwide, several states refused to implement such drastic penalty hikes, keeping in mind the financial status of the middle class.

Maharashtra was one of the states in which implementation of the updated fines had been put off. However, after a period of deliberation, the higher charges were finally implemented in a strategy to reduce roadside casualties, as well as to promote safe driving among citizens.

With the Motor Vehicles Act update, traffic fines have been reduced in Mumbai in some areas. For instance, the penalty for driving without a valid license has come down to ₹1,000 and ₹2,000 for two-wheelers and three-wheelers, respectively, which used to be nearly ₹5,000 earlier. Moreover, the penalty for vehicle overloading was about ₹20,000 previously, which has now been reduced to only ₹5,000.

However, the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act is expected to increase the Maharashtra government's average revenue, which will result in higher fine rates. Thus, be cautious while driving two—or four-wheelers on the road to avoid paying such high Mumbai traffic police fine rates.

In just the first quarter of 2024, the Maharashtra Transport Department booked around 2,96,469 challans.

In Mumbai, efforts to streamline traffic fine collection involve implementing e-challan systems for efficient digital fine issuance. Initiatives to increase compliance through awareness campaigns and stricter enforcement are also underway.

Check and pay your traffic violation ticket in Mumbai using either of the following methods. 

Process to Check e-Challan Online in Mumbai

• You can check the status of your e-Challan through the Parivahan website.

• You can also check the status on the official Maharashtra E-Challan payment portal. 

Process to Pay e-Challan Online in Mumbai

• You can easily pay your traffic fines online via the Parivahan website.

• Conversely, you can pay your e-Challan through the Maharashtra E-Challan payment portal.

You also have the option to pay in cash using an e-challan machine carried by traffic police officers or to submit your fine at a nearby traffic police station.

Following are the traffic rules for four-wheelers in Mumbai that people should follow mindfully:

• Wear Seatbelts: Always ensure the driver and the co-passenger wear seatbelts before hitting the road.

• Be Aware of Speed Limits: Different city sections have different speed limits. It is important to be mindful of the speed limit to avoid traffic fines.

• No Mobile Phones While Driving: Mobile phones tend to distract one from the road and are one of the major causes of road accidents. Avoid using mobile phones while driving.

• Carry Valid Documents: Ensure you have valid documents like a licence, PUC certificate, four-wheeler insurance papers, registration certificate, etc.

• Don’t Drink And Drive: Never drive after you have consumed any intoxicating substance, as it can alter your consciousness and lead to drinking and driving fines.

• Get Insurance: Always carry your legit car insurance papers to avoid fines.

Following are the traffic rules for two-wheelers in Mumbai. 

• Always Wear Helmet: Always remember to wear a helmet before riding. This can help minimise the damage in case of an accident and protect you from paying hefty fines.

• No Overloading: Do not ride a motorcycle with more than two people, including the rider. 

• Carry Valid Documents: Like four-wheelers, two-wheelers must also ensure they carry valid documents like a licence, insurance papers, PUC certificate, vehicle registration certificate, etc.

• Prevent Rash Driving: Refrain from indulging in riding the two-wheeler aggressively. Be mindful of the speed limits, do not perform stunts on the roads, and try to be safe from illegal racing.

• Get Insurance: Always make sure you carry the legit two-wheeler insurance before you hit the road.

• Follow traffic signals: Don’t disrespect or disobey the traffic signals, as this can result in heavy traffic fines.

The increase in the number of automobiles on Mumbai's roads has forced the government to take strict measures to ensure safety for all. 

Go through the above points to avoid paying hefty fines when driving your vehicle. It is essential to know about the different traffic violations and their penalties to protect yourself from severe punishments like the confiscation of a driver’s licence or even imprisonment.