Category: Traffic Fines

The driving without license fine in Pakistan is one of the most-searched traffic queries every week — because it catches people at the worst moment: a routine stop, a document check, or a camera-flagged vehicle, and suddenly you owe thousands. In Punjab, the fine depends on what you were driving: Rs 2,000 for a motorcycle or rickshaw and Rs 5,000 for any car, jeep or commercial vehicle, plus 4 penalty points, and your vehicle can be impounded. Punjab’s May 2026 motor vehicle law removed the jail terms that the 2025 ordinance had introduced. This guide covers the exact fines, learner-permit limits, underage driving, how unlicensed driving interacts with the 2026 penalty-points system, and how to pay the challan.

Quick Answer

Last verified: 10 November 2026. In Punjab, the driving without license fine under the law (May 2026) is Rs 2,000 for a motorcycle or three-wheeler and Rs 5,000 for any car or jeep (whatever the engine size), cab, public service or transport vehicle, plus 4 penalty points. There is no jail term for driving without a licence since Punjab’s May 2026 amendment. Your vehicle may also be impounded. A learner permit is not a full license — driving alone on a learner, or without displaying the L sign, can still draw a challan. Pay the challan through its 17-digit PSID like any e-challan.

Law vs police website: the amounts here are from the Twelfth Schedule as replaced by the Provincial Motor Vehicles (Second Amendment) Act 2026 (Punjab Gazette, 7 May 2026). The Punjab Traffic Police offences page still shows an older schedule with no points, so other sites may quote different figures. The amount printed on your own challan is what you pay.

Calculator: work out the fine and points for your vehicle, and your 12-month total, with the Punjab challan fine & points calculator.

Driving Without License Fine: The Exact Numbers (Punjab)

Source: the Twelfth Schedule of the Provincial Motor Vehicles Ordinance 1965, as replaced by the Provincial Motor Vehicles (Second Amendment) Act 2026 (Punjab Gazette, 7 May 2026). Figures reported in March 2026 and some October 2026 reports quoted Rs 10,000 to Rs 15,000 for bigger vehicles, and the Punjab Traffic Police website still shows an older table; those amounts are out of date. The offence also carries 4 penalty points under §116-A.

What changed in May 2026: the Provincial Motor Vehicles (Fourth Amendment) Ordinance 2025 had set a Rs 50,000 fine plus imprisonment for licence offences. The amendment signed by the Punjab Governor in May 2026 withdrew those penalties and set the licence offence at a Rs 5,000-level fine with no jail (Daily Pakistan, 7 May 2026). If you see Rs 50,000, “jail” or a flat “repeat offence Rs 10,000” on other websites, they are quoting the older rules or an older third-party list. As always, the amount printed on your challan is what you owe.

Karachi / Sindh and Islamabad

Other provinces follow their own schedules — and Sindh’s are far steeper. Under Sindh’s schedule effective 1 October 2025, driving without a licence costs Rs 25,000 for cars and Rs 20,000 for motorcycles in Karachi, with penalties up to Rs 50,000 reported for some vehicle categories. In Islamabad, ITP fines for driving without a licence run from about Rs 1,000 to Rs 8,000 depending on the vehicle type. Always check the amount printed on your challan; that is what you owe.

What “Driving Without a License” Actually Covers

The offence is broader than most people assume. You can be challaned for driving without a license in all of these situations:

• No license at all — never applied, never held one.
• Expired license — your license lapsed and you kept driving. Renew it; an expired license is not a valid license.
• Wrong category — driving an HTV (bus/truck) on an LTV/car license, or a motorcycle without the motorcycle category.
• Learner permit misused — see the learner section below.
• License not carried — if you hold a valid license but do not have it on you, some officers will still challan you on the spot; you may need to produce it later to settle the matter.

License check challans in 2026

License checks happen at routine traffic stops, nakas, and document-verification drives. E-challan cameras flag registration and behaviour offences automatically, but license status is still mostly checked in person — by a traffic warden or police officer asking to see your documents. There is no fully reliable “online license validity check” for roadside purposes; carry the physical license (a photo of it is a backup, not a substitute).

Learner Permit: What You Can and Cannot Do

A learner permit is a real step toward a license — but it is not a license, and treating it like one gets people challaned.

• Display the L sign: learner permit holders must display the L sign on the vehicle (front and rear). No L sign = visible grounds for a stop.
• Supervised driving only: you must drive with a licensed driver accompanying you. Driving alone on a learner permit can draw a challan.
• Learner → permanent: the standard route is learner permit (from City Traffic Police / DLIMS centres) → waiting period and test → permanent license. Start the process instead of driving on a learner indefinitely.
• Learner + e-challan cameras: camera-issued fines (speeding, signal jumping) attach to the vehicle regardless of who is driving — a learner driver still accumulates the vehicle’s fine record.

Bottom line: a learner permit protects you only while you follow its conditions. The moment you drive unsupervised or skip the L sign, you are effectively “driving without a license” in the eyes of the officer — though how strictly this is applied varies by city and officer.

Underage Driving: Up to Rs 10,000 and the Car Goes Back to an Adult

Under the 2025 ordinance, underage driving could mean imprisonment. Punjab’s May 2026 amendment replaced that with a fine:

• Fine under the law (May 2026): Rs 2,000 on a motorcycle or rickshaw, Rs 5,000 in a car or jeep up to 2000cc or a cab, and Rs 10,000 in a car above 2000cc or a public service or transport vehicle, plus 4 penalty points. The vehicle is handed over to a licensed owner or authorised driver (Daily Pakistan, 7 May 2026). The Lahore Ring Road also lists underage driving at Rs 10,000 (The Express Tribune, 26 October 2026).
• No jail term under the amended law.
• The minor cannot hold a licence, so there is no way to make the drive legal.

If your teenager is asking for the car, the cost is now a Rs 5,000 to Rs 10,000 challan and a trip to collect the vehicle — and the real risk is the crash, not the fine.

Repeat Offences and Impound Risk

The current Punjab schedule sets one fine per vehicle class; it doesn’t publish a separate “second offence” amount. What does escalate for repeat offenders:

• Penalty points — 4 points each time under §116-A, and more than 20 points in a year triggers a 6-month disqualification.
• Vehicle impoundment is on the table for driving without a license (applied at the officer’s discretion and varying by city).
• An impounded vehicle means release paperwork, possible storage charges, and days without your car — the fine is only the start of the cost.

What impoundment looks like in practice

If your vehicle is impounded, the general pattern is: the vehicle is taken to the designated police impound yard, you pay the challan (and any release/storage charges), produce a valid license (yours or an authorized driver’s), and complete the release paperwork. Do not abandon the vehicle at the yard — unclaimed vehicles accumulate charges.

Fake or Forged License: A Different League of Trouble

Driving on a fake or forged license is not a traffic fine — it is a separate serious offence carrying a heavy fine and jail time. If your license was obtained through an agent or “shortcut” and you are not sure it is genuine, verify it through the official DLIMS / City Traffic Police channel before you rely on it at a checkpoint. A forged license discovered during a stop turns a Rs 5,000 problem into a criminal one.

How Unlicensed Driving Interacts With the 2026 Penalty-Points System

Punjab’s 2026 penalty-points law (§116-A of the Provincial Motor Vehicles Ordinance 1965, added by the Provincial Motor Vehicles (Second Amendment) Act 2026, gazetted 7 May 2026) attaches points to licenses — which raises an obvious question: what happens when the driver has no license?

• Points are recorded against the license for licensed drivers — and the Twelfth Schedule sets driving without a licence itself at 4 points, the joint-highest band.
• For unlicensed drivers, the offence history still attaches to the CNIC and/or vehicle record — though the exact mechanism for recording offences against unlicensed drivers is not spelled out in published official sources.
• More than 20 points in a year (21 or more) = a mandatory 6-month disqualification applies to license holders; an unlicensed driver is already disqualified in practice — and repeat offences keep raising the fine and impound risk instead.

The practical takeaway: the points system does not give unlicensed drivers a free pass. The record follows you, and an unpaid challan can be doubled if you are found guilty in court.

How to Pay a Without-License Challan (PSID)

Whether issued on the spot or as an e-challan, payment runs through the challan’s 17-digit PSID:

1. Note your PSID from the challan slip or SMS.
2. Pay online: enter the PSID in your bank’s mobile/internet banking app (1Bill / bill payment option) or a digital wallet like JazzCash or Easypaisa via the e-challan/PSID option.
3. Pay over the counter: present the PSID at designated bank branches.
4. Confirm: keep the receipt/SMS and check the portal to confirm the challan cleared.

Pay before the due date — late payment can add penalties, and an unpaid challan can block vehicle transfer and registration transactions. See our guide on what happens if you don’t pay an e-challan, and the Payment Hub for the full PSID walkthrough.

Getting a Real License: The Actual Route

The only permanent fix for a without-license challan is a license. The standard Punjab route:

1. Learner permit — apply at a City Traffic Police licensing centre or through DLIMS (Driving License Issuance Management System). Minimum age and documents apply.
2. Waiting period + training — complete the learner period and learn properly; driving schools are the faster, safer route.
3. Test — theory and practical driving test at the licensing centre.
4. Permanent license — issued on passing; keep it valid and carry it.

It takes weeks, not years — and it is cheaper than two without-license challans. If the process feels confusing, our DLIMS/licensing guide walks through the current steps.

Practical Tips: Never Pay This Fine Again

• Carry your license every time you drive. “It’s at home” does not work at a naka.
• Renew before expiry. Set a calendar reminder a month before your license expires — an expired license is a without-license challan waiting to happen.
• Never lend your car to an unlicensed driver — camera fines attach to the vehicle, and if they are stopped, the impound yard holds your car.
• Never let a minor drive. A challan of up to Rs 10,000, an impounded car and the risk of a crash are not worth it.
• Check your e-challans monthly so one missed challan does not become a repeat-offence record.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What is the fine for driving without a license in Punjab?
Rs 2,000 for a motorcycle or rickshaw and Rs 5,000 for any car, jeep, cab, public service or transport vehicle, plus 4 penalty points, under the law from May 2026. Your vehicle may also be impounded.

Q2: What happens on a repeat offence?
The schedule has no separate repeat-offence amount, but each offence adds 4 penalty points, and more than 20 points in a year means a 6-month disqualification. Impoundment risk also rises.

Q3: Can my vehicle be impounded for driving without a license?
Yes — impoundment is a possible consequence (how consistently it is applied varies by city and officer). Release requires paying the challan and producing a valid license.

Q4: Is driving with only a learner permit allowed?
Only under its conditions: display the L sign and drive with a licensed driver supervising. Driving alone on a learner, or without the L sign, can draw a challan.

Q5: What is the fine if a minor is caught driving?
Rs 2,000 on a motorcycle, Rs 5,000 in a car up to 2000cc and Rs 10,000 in a larger car or commercial vehicle, plus 4 penalty points, with the vehicle handed to a licensed owner or authorised driver, under Punjab’s May 2026 amendment. The earlier jail provision was withdrawn. The minor cannot be licensed.

Q6: How do I pay the without-license challan?
Through the challan’s 17-digit PSID: bank mobile/internet banking (1Bill option), JazzCash/Easypaisa, or over the counter at designated bank branches — before the due date.

Q7: I have a license but didn’t carry it — is the fine the same?
You can still be challaned on the spot; whether producing the license later settles or reduces it depends on the procedure in your city. Carry it every time — it is the simplest fix.

Q8: Does a without-license offence add penalty points?
Points attach to licenses under §116-A (driving without a licence is itself a 4-point offence), so an unlicensed driver has no license to point — but the offence history still attaches to your CNIC/vehicle record. Licensed drivers committing other offences alongside (speeding, signal jumping) get points as usual; more than 20 points in a year = a mandatory 6-month disqualification.

Related on checkechallan.pk/

• Fines 2026 hub — the full Punjab fine + penalty-points schedule
• Red light challan fine Pakistan — Rs 3,000 for a car up to 2000cc: the most camera-issued e-challan
• Overspeeding challan fine Pakistan — Rs 5,000 + 4 points: camera fines explained
• Helmet challan fine Pakistan — motorcycle enforcement and fines
• What happens if you don’t pay an e-challan — late penalties, transfer blocks, and how they clear
• Punjab penalty-points article — §116-A explained: points per offence, disqualification, appeals

The red light challan fine is one of the most common e-challans in Punjab — because nobody has to stop you for it. AI-powered Safe City cameras watch traffic signals across Lahore and other major cities, and a signal violation is detected, photographed, and billed to your number plate automatically. In 2026, jumping a red light in Punjab means a fine of Rs 3,000 for a car up to 2000cc (Rs 2,000 for a motorcycle, Rs 5,000 above 2000cc), possible penalty points on your licence, and — if your violation causes an accident — an FIR and jail term. This guide covers the exact fine, how camera detection works, what points you get, what happens if a red-light violation causes a crash, and how to pay or dispute the challan.

Quick Answer

In Punjab, Pakistan, the red light challan fine for jumping a red traffic signal is Rs 3,000 for a car up to 2000cc, Rs 2,000 for a motorcycle and Rs 5,000 for a car above 2000cc, under Punjab’s Twelfth Schedule as replaced on 7 May 2026. Violations are detected automatically by AI/ANPR Safe City cameras — no officer needs to stop you. Under Punjab’s 2026 penalty-points law, a signal violation also adds 3 penalty points to your licence, and more than 20 points in a year (21 or more) brings a mandatory 6-month licence disqualification. If a red-light violation causes an accident, an FIR can be registered, with imprisonment of up to 3 months reported for accident cases.

Last verified: 9 November 2026 by Zeeshan, against the Twelfth Schedule, Provincial Motor Vehicles Ordinance 1965 (Punjab Code), as replaced by the Provincial Motor Vehicles (Second Amendment) Act 2026 (Punjab Gazette, 7 May 2026). The Punjab Traffic Police website still shows an older, higher schedule (Rs 5,000 for a car up to 2000cc and Rs 10,000 above). The amount printed on your own challan is what you pay. This site is independent and not a government service.

Calculator: work out the fine and points for your vehicle, and your 12-month total, with the Punjab challan fine & points calculator.

Red Light Challan Fine: Punjab vs Karachi/Sindh

The fine for running a red light differs by jurisdiction, because enforcement sits with different bodies:

Punjab has two official sources that disagree. The law (the Twelfth Schedule as replaced on 7 May 2026) sets a signal violation at Rs 2,000 for a motorcycle, Rs 3,000 for a car up to 2000cc and Rs 5,000 above 2000cc, plus 3 points. The Punjab Traffic Police website still lists the older amounts (Rs 5,000 and Rs 10,000 for cars). The amount printed on your challan is what you pay. Full comparison: Traffic fines Pakistan 2026.

Why the points matter more than the fine

Under the law, a car signal violation (Rs 3,000) costs less than speeding or driving without a licence (Rs 5,000 each), but it still adds 3 penalty points. The reason is simple: red-light jumping is one of the leading causes of urban intersection collisions. The fine is set to sting, and the 2026 points system adds a longer tail: repeat signal violators risk their licence, not just their wallet.

How Red Light Violations Are Detected: AI/ANPR Cameras

In Punjab’s major cities, you will rarely be pulled over for a red-light violation. Here is how the automated system works:

1. Camera surveillance: Punjab Safe City Authority (PSCA) cameras monitor major intersections in Lahore and other cities. Many are AI-assisted and paired with ANPR (automatic number plate recognition).
2. Automatic violation capture: When a vehicle crosses the stop line after the signal turns red, the camera records the event — typically a photo or short clip showing the red signal and the vehicle’s number plate.
3. E-challan generation: The plate is matched to the vehicle’s registration record, and an e-challan is generated automatically in the central database.
4. SMS notification: An SMS is sent to the mobile number registered against the vehicle, with the challan number, offence (“Running Red Light”), fine amount, and a 17-digit PSID for payment.

What this means for you: there is no argument at the roadside, no negotiation, and no “the light was yellow.” The camera’s timestamp decides. If the image is wrong — cloned plate, misread digits — that is a dispute case, not a roadside discussion (see the dispute section below).

Do cameras catch red-light violations at night?

Yes. The Safe City camera network operates around the clock, and enforcement does not pause after dark. Night-time red-light jumping is a common e-challan trigger precisely because drivers assume no one is watching.

Penalty Points for a Red Light Challan (Punjab’s §116-A System)

In 2026, a red-light challan in Punjab is not just a fine. The Provincial Motor Vehicles (Second Amendment) Act 2026 (published in the Punjab Gazette on 7 May 2026) added §116-A — a penalty-points system — to the Provincial Motor Vehicles Ordinance 1965.

How it works:

• Each offence adds points to your driving licence, on top of the fine. A signal violation (electronic or manual) carries 3 points under the Twelfth Schedule.
• More than 20 points within one year (21 or more) → mandatory disqualification (licence suspension) for 6 months, extendable by a further 6 months.
• Appeal: you can appeal a disqualification to the prescribed authority within 30 days of receiving the order (Section 16(3)); that authority’s decision is final.
• No online points balance: there is currently no official online page to check your points balance — you find out through your challan record.

Practical math: even though signal jumping (3 points) carries fewer points than overspeeding (4 points), a driver who habitually jumps red lights on the daily commute can cross the disqualification threshold quickly. The fine punishes the moment; the points punish the habit.

For the full schedule of offences and points, see our Punjab penalty-points article.

What Happens If a Red Light Violation Causes an Accident

A red-light challan is a traffic fine. A red-light violation that causes an accident can become a criminal case:

• FIR registration: per dlimsonline.pk’s reporting, red-light violations that cause accidents can attract an FIR (First Information Report), taking the matter out of traffic enforcement and into criminal proceedings.
• Jail-term provisions: imprisonment of up to 3 months has been reported for red-light violations causing accidents, under the 2025–26 jail-term provisions in Punjab.
• Civil liability: you may also face damage claims from injured parties, and a deliberate violation can complicate any motor insurance claim.

This is the part of the red light challan fine conversation people underestimate: the fine is the best case. If someone is hurt because you jumped a signal, the fine is the least of your problems.

How to Pay a Red Light E-Challan (PSID)

Red-light e-challans are paid the same way as any Punjab e-challan — through the 17-digit PSID printed on the challan:

1. Note your PSID from the challan SMS or the e-challan portal printout.
2. Pay online: enter the PSID in your bank’s mobile/internet banking app (HBL, Meezan, BOP, etc. — the “Bill Payment / 1Bill” option) or a digital wallet like JazzCash or Easypaisa through the e-challan/PSID option.
3. Pay over the counter: present the PSID at designated bank branches.
4. Confirm: keep the payment receipt/SMS. Challans sometimes take time to clear from the portal — check back before assuming it is settled.

Pay before the due date printed on the challan. An unpaid ticket can be sent to court, where the fine is doubled if you are found guilty (section 116-A). For a full walkthrough, see our Payment Hub guide, and the Troubleshooting page if your PSID does not work or the challan still shows as unpaid after payment.

Disputing a Wrong Red Light Challan

Cameras make mistakes — cloned plates, misread digits, or a photo that does not actually show a red-light violation. If your challan is wrong:

1. Check the photo evidence. Punjab’s e-challan record should include the camera image. Compare the plate, vehicle, and signal state against your own records (dashcam, GPS history).
2. Gather your evidence: dashcam footage, photos of the location and signage, proof of where you were.
3. Request a review: use the Review option on echallan.psca.gop.pk (Punjab Safe City Authority), the body that issues camera-generated e-challans, and attach your evidence.
4. Wrong-plate/cloned-plate cases: our Troubleshooting guide covers the cloned-plate dispute process in detail — file before the due date so the ticket is under review rather than overdue.

For the complete cancellation process, see our cancel-challan guide and the photo-evidence article on how camera evidence works.

Red Light Challan Fine vs Other Signal & Behaviour Fines (Punjab)

For context, here is how signal jumping compares to other common Punjab fines from the Twelfth Schedule:

For a car, signal jumping is cheaper than speeding, but both add penalty points that count towards the 20-point limit.

Practical Tips: Never Pay This Fine Again

• Stop on amber if you can do so safely. The camera triggers on red, but the margin for error at high-speed intersections is seconds — braking late still gets photographed.
• Watch the countdown timers where installed; they are there to stop guesswork.
• Do not follow the car ahead through the signal. The camera photographs every plate that crosses on red — “everyone was doing it” is not a defence.
• Check your e-challans monthly (city e-challan portal) so one missed SMS does not become two.
• If you drive a company or family car, make sure the registered mobile number is current — otherwise the SMS goes to the previous owner and the challan sits unpaid.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What is the fine for jumping a red light in Punjab?
Rs 3,000 for a car up to 2000cc, Rs 2,000 for a motorcycle and Rs 5,000 above 2000cc, plus 3 points (Twelfth Schedule, 7 May 2026). The Traffic Police website still lists Rs 5,000 for cars; your challan shows what you pay.

Q2: Do cameras catch red-light violations automatically?
Yes. In Punjab’s major cities, AI/ANPR Safe City cameras photograph vehicles crossing on red, the plate is matched to the registration record, and an e-challan is generated with an SMS to the registered mobile number — no roadside stop needed.

Q3: What happens if a red-light violation causes an accident?
It can become a criminal case: an FIR can be registered, and jail terms of up to 3 months have been reported for accident cases. Insurance claims can also become harder after a deliberate violation.

Q4: Do I get penalty points for a red-light challan in Punjab?
Yes. Signal violations fall under Punjab’s 2026 penalty-points system (§116-A): a signal violation carries 3 points on top of the fine. More than 20 points in a year (21 or more) means a mandatory 6-month licence disqualification.

Q5: How do I dispute a wrong red-light challan?
Check the camera photo evidence first. If the plate is cloned or misread, gather evidence (dashcam, GPS, photos) and use the Review option on the PSCA portal before the due date printed on the challan.

Q6: How do I pay a red-light e-challan?
Through the 17-digit PSID on the challan: bank mobile/internet banking (1Bill option), JazzCash/Easypaisa, or over the counter at designated bank branches — before the due date.

Q7: Is the red light fine the same in Karachi?
No. Under Sindh’s schedule (effective 1 October 2025), jumping a red light costs Rs 10,000 for cars and Rs 5,000 for motorcycles in Karachi (as reported) — more than Punjab’s Rs 3,000 for a car. The amount on your ticket is what you owe.

Q8: Does a red light challan affect my driving licence record?
Yes — in Punjab, e-challans attach to the vehicle’s record and offences feed the penalty-points system against the licence holder. Ignoring a red-light challan can also block vehicle-related transactions; see our guide on what happens if you don’t pay an e-challan.

Related on checkechallan.pk/

• Fines 2026 hub — the full Punjab fine + penalty-points schedule
• Overspeeding challan fine Pakistan — the other big camera-issued fine
• Helmet challan fine Pakistan — motorcycle enforcement, fines, and cameras
• What happens if you don’t pay an e-challan — transfer blocks, court and impounding
• Punjab penalty-points article — §116-A explained: points per offence, disqualification, appeals

Riding a motorcycle without a helmet is one of the most common traffic challans in Pakistan, and one of the easiest to avoid. In Punjab the fine is Rs 2,000, it applies to the pillion passenger too, and Safe City cameras can issue it as an e-challan without any roadside stop. This guide covers the amount, how to check a helmet e-challan, how to pay it and how to dispute a wrong one.

Quick answer: The helmet challan fine in Punjab is Rs 2,000 for riding a motorcycle without a helmet. Punjab traffic police raised it from Rs 200 to Rs 2,000 in 2025 following a Lahore High Court order, and Punjab’s amended rules make helmets compulsory for both rider and pillion. Check the challan at echallan.psca.gop.pk with the plate number and the owner’s CNIC or chassis number, then pay with the PSID through ePay Punjab, JazzCash, Easypaisa or your bank app.

Last verified: 9 November 2026 by Zeeshan. Sources: Provincial Motor Vehicles Ordinance 1965 (Punjab Code), PSCA e-challan portal, ePay Punjab, Dawn (helmet fine increase across Punjab), ProPakistani (helmets for rider and pillion), Aaj News (Lahore helmet enforcement). This site is independent and not a government service.

Calculator: work out the fine and points for your vehicle, and your 12-month total, with the Punjab challan fine & points calculator.

Helmet Challan at a Glance (Punjab)

How Much Is the Helmet Fine in 2026?

The no-helmet fine in Punjab is Rs 2,000. Punjab traffic police raised it from Rs 200 to Rs 2,000 (a 900% increase) across the province in 2025, after a Lahore High Court order, and it has stayed at Rs 2,000 in Punjab’s revised fine schedule. Lahore traffic police have said riders who wear the helmet improperly or keep it on the fuel tank are also fined.

Punjab amended its motor vehicle rules again in 2026 and some motorcycle fines were changed. The amount printed on your own challan is the one that counts, so always check it on the portal before paying.

Both rider and pillion

Under Punjab’s amended rules, helmets are compulsory for both the rider and the pillion passenger. A pillion without a helmet can lead to a challan for the motorcycle.

Penalty points

Riding without a helmet also adds 2 penalty points to your licence (Twelfth Schedule). More than 20 points within one year means a six-month disqualification. See Punjab driving licence penalty points.

Helmet Fine by City

How a Helmet E-Challan Is Issued

1. A Safe City camera records a motorcycle with a rider or pillion without a helmet.
2. The number plate is read and matched to the registration record.
3. An e-challan with the camera photo is created against the registered owner.
4. The owner gets an SMS (genuine PSCA e-challan SMS come only from 9915 and contain no links), and the challan appears on the portal.

The challan goes to the registered owner, not necessarily the rider. If you sold the bike and the transfer was never completed, see sold vehicle still getting e-challans.

How to Check a Helmet E-Challan Online

1. Open echallan.psca.gop.pk.
2. Enter the plate number and the owner’s CNIC or chassis number.
3. Open the challan to see the violation, date, location, amount and photo.

A new camera challan can take a little time to appear. More: e-challan check by CNIC and check e-challan with picture.

How to Pay a Helmet Challan

• ePay Punjab app: Punjab Police → E-Challan (Safe City) → enter the registration number → Pay.
• JazzCash / Easypaisa / bank app: Bill Payments → Government Payments → enter the 17-digit PSID from the portal. See how to generate a PSID.

Save the receipt. If the challan still shows unpaid later, see paid but still showing unpaid.

What Happens If You Don’t Pay?

• Excise will not transfer the motorcycle until its e-challans are paid.
• Traffic police stop vehicles with unpaid challans and require the dues to be cleared; chronic defaulters’ vehicles can be impounded.
• In Lahore, police services such as licence renewal are linked to e-challan compliance.

Details: what happens if you don’t pay an e-challan.

Can You Dispute a Wrong Helmet E-Challan?

Yes. Check the photo on the portal first. If the plate was misread, the bike isn’t yours, or you were wearing a helmet, use the Review option on echallan.psca.gop.pk and attach your evidence. See how to cancel an e-challan in Punjab and cloned number plate complaint.

Other Common Motorcycle Fines in Punjab

Amounts from the Twelfth Schedule of the Provincial Motor Vehicles Ordinance 1965 (Punjab Code), as substituted on 7 May 2026. Full list: traffic fines in Pakistan 2026.

Related Guides

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the helmet challan fine in Punjab?
Rs 2,000 and 2 penalty points for riding a motorcycle without a helmet. Check the amount on your own challan before paying.

Does the pillion passenger need a helmet?
Yes. Punjab’s amended rules make helmets compulsory for both rider and pillion.

Can I be fined for wearing the helmet wrongly?
Yes. Lahore traffic police have said riders wearing helmets improperly or keeping them on the fuel tank are fined.

How do I check a helmet e-challan?
On echallan.psca.gop.pk, enter the plate number and the owner’s CNIC or chassis number.

How do I pay it?
Generate the PSID on the portal and pay through ePay Punjab, JazzCash, Easypaisa or your bank app.

What if I don’t pay?
The motorcycle can’t be transferred, and police can stop it until the dues are cleared.

The challan is wrong. What do I do?
Check the photo and use the Review option on the PSCA portal with your evidence.

Punjab’s penalty points system means a traffic offence costs you more than the fine. Each ticket also adds 1 to 4 points to your driving licence record, and if your points go above 20 within one year, the licensing authority must disqualify you from driving for six months, even if you paid every fine on time.

Quick answer: Under section 116-A of Punjab’s Provincial Motor Vehicles Ordinance 1965, as amended by the Provincial Motor Vehicles (Second Amendment) Act 2026 (Punjab Gazette, 7 May 2026), every ticket adds the points listed in the Twelfth Schedule: 4 for speeding, wrong-side, reckless driving or driving without a licence; 3 for signal violations or using a mobile phone; 2 for no helmet or seat belt; 1 for parking or lane violations. If your points within a one-year period exceed 20, the licensing authority must disqualify you for six months, extendable by another six. Paying the fine does not remove the points.

Last verified: 9 November 2026 by Zeeshan, against the consolidated text of the Provincial Motor Vehicles Ordinance 1965 (Punjab Code) published by the Punjab Law and Parliamentary Affairs Department. This site is independent and not a government service.

Calculator: work out the fine and points for your vehicle, and your 12-month total, with the Punjab challan fine & points calculator.

Penalty Points at a Glance

Points and Fines for Each Offence

From the Twelfth Schedule (“Penalties and point system for traffic violations”) as substituted on 7 May 2026. Fines shown for the three most common vehicle classes.

The schedule also covers commercial vehicles (overloading, carrying extra passengers, route permits, oversized loads) and a catch-all “any other provision” offence worth 1 point. Traffic police pages sometimes show different, older amounts; the amount printed on your own ticket is what you pay. For all fines see traffic fines in Pakistan 2026.

How Points Add Up to a Ban

The threshold is “exceed twenty”, so 20 points is still allowed and 21 triggers disqualification. Examples:

Driving while disqualified is a separate offence under the Ordinance.

Paying the Fine Does Not Remove Points

Section 116-A(5-A) says the points are charged “in addition to the fine”. Paying settles the money; the points stay on your record for the one-year count. A driver with no unpaid challans can still be disqualified.

Do Points Expire?

The law counts points “accumulated within a one-year period” but does not set out how individual points drop off, and no official guidance on this has been published. Do not assume a point disappears on its first anniversary; the safe approach is to avoid new points.

Can You Check Your Points Online?

There is no official online points-balance check yet. What you can do:

• Check your challans on echallan.psca.gop.pk (plate number + owner’s CNIC or chassis number) and count the points using the table above. See e-challan check by CNIC.
• Ask at a traffic police licensing centre or Police Khidmat Markaz when you renew your licence.

Note that in Lahore, driving licence issuance and renewal are among the police services linked to e-challan compliance, so clear unpaid challans first. See what happens if you don’t pay an e-challan.

Wrong Challan? Contest It Before the Points Stick

A wrong challan that stands can add points you never earned. Check the camera photo and use the Review option on echallan.psca.gop.pk. See how to cancel an e-challan in Punjab and cloned number plate complaint. If a challan goes to court and you are found guilty, the fine is doubled, so use the Review option for genuine mistakes rather than ignoring the ticket. See e-challan sent to court.

Related Guides

Frequently Asked Questions

How many points for speeding in Punjab?
4 points, plus the fine (Rs 2,000 motorcycle, Rs 5,000 car up to 2000cc, Rs 10,000 above 2000cc).

How many points before my licence is suspended?
More than 20 within one year. At 21 points the licensing authority must disqualify you for six months, extendable by six more.

How many points for using a mobile phone while driving?
3 points.

How many points for riding without a helmet?
2 points, plus a Rs 2,000 fine.

Does paying the fine remove the points?
No. Points are charged in addition to the fine.

What if I commit the same offence again within a month?
The fine goes up by 5% of the previous fine for each repeat.

What happens if I contest a ticket in court and lose?
The court fine is double the amount on the ticket.

Can I appeal a disqualification?
Yes, within 30 days of the order, under section 16(3) of the Ordinance.

When did the system start?
The current points rules and schedule were brought in by the Provincial Motor Vehicles (Second Amendment) Act 2026, published in the Punjab Gazette on 7 May 2026.