Getting a traffic challan is never good news, but not knowing the fine amount makes it worse. Many drivers in Punjab pay their e-challan without ever checking whether the amount on the slip matches the official schedule. Others are surprised to learn that fines in Punjab were revised upward in recent years, and the old Rs. 200 and Rs. 500 challans many people remember no longer apply to most violations.
This guide gives you the complete traffic fines list for Pakistan in 2026, with a special focus on Punjab, where the PSCA camera system issues most e-challans. You will find separate fine amounts for cars and motorcycles, an explanation of why fines differ from city to city, and what you should do the moment a challan arrives on your vehicle.
Why Traffic Fines Differ Across Pakistan
Traffic fines are not the same everywhere in Pakistan. Each province sets its own rates through its traffic police and excise authorities, and the federal capital, Islamabad, follows its own schedule set by the Islamabad Traffic Police. This is why a signal violation in Lahore can carry a different fine than the same violation in Karachi or Islamabad.
In Punjab, most camera-based fines are issued by the Punjab Safe Cities Authority (PSCA) in Lahore and a growing number of other cities. These e-challans are linked to your vehicle’s registration record, which means unpaid fines can block your token tax payment, vehicle transfer, and other excise services. If you are not sure whether a challan is pending on your vehicle, follow our step-by-step guide on how to check e-challan in Lahore online before the due date passes.
Complete Traffic Fines List 2026 – Punjab (Cars and Motorcycles)
The table below follows the commonly published schedule for 2026 for Punjab. Please treat these figures as a guide: fines are revised from time to time, so always confirm the current amount on the official portal before paying. The exact amount printed on your challan slip and its PSID is the amount you must pay.
| Violation | Car / Jeep (Rs.) | Motorcycle (Rs.) |
|---|---|---|
| Over-speeding | 2,500 | 1,000 |
| Jumping a red signal | 2,000 | 1,000 |
| Riding without a helmet | – | 2,000 |
| Driving without a seat belt | 1,500 | – |
| Wrong-way / one-way violation | 2,000 | 1,000 |
| Using a mobile phone while driving | 2,000 | 500 |
| Driving without a valid licence | 5,000 | 2,000 |
| Underage driving | 5,000 | 5,000 |
| Driving an unregistered vehicle | 2,000 | 1,000 |
| Fancy or non-standard number plate | 2,000 | 1,000 |
| Lane violation / zigzag driving | 1,000 | 500 |
| Wrong parking | 1,000 | 500 |
| Driving without lights at night | 1,000 | 500 |
| Rash and negligent driving | 5,000 | 2,000 |
| Overloading (public service vehicles) | 2,000 | – |
| Driving a commercial vehicle without fitness certificate or route permit | 5,000 | – |
Remember, this table reflects the commonly published schedule for 2026 — always confirm the current amount on the official portal before paying, because the government can revise any fine without the change appearing in older lists like this one.
The Most Common E-Challan Violations in Punjab
Signal Violations and Lane Discipline
PSCA cameras record signal jumping and stop-line violations automatically. The camera captures your number plate, and the challan is generated against the registered owner. Lane violations and sudden lane changes near intersections are also recorded in many parts of Lahore. These are the most frequently issued e-challans, so disciplined driving at intersections saves you the most money.
Helmet and Seat Belt Fines
The helmet fine for motorcyclists was increased sharply because head injuries are the leading cause of death in bike accidents. Both the rider and the pillion passenger are expected to wear helmets in Lahore. For car drivers, the seat belt rule applies to the driver and the front passenger in most enforcement drives.
Number Plate Violations
Fancy plates, plates with non-standard fonts, and plates that do not match the Excise & Taxation record can all be fined. Camera systems read standard plates far more reliably, and a plate that cannot be read can still result in a manual challan at a check post. Keeping the government-issued plate, clean and properly fixed, is a simple way to avoid this fine entirely.
What Happens If You Do Not Pay a Fine?
An unpaid e-challan does not disappear. In Punjab, pending challans are attached to your vehicle’s record. When you go to pay your token tax, transfer the vehicle, or complete other excise work, the system can require you to clear the pending challans first. Court proceedings are also possible for long-unpaid challans in some cases. If you have already received a challan, our guide on how to pay your traffic e-challan online in Pakistan covers every payment method, including banking apps, ATMs, Easypaisa and JazzCash.
Keep your vehicle record clean by paying your token tax on time as well. You can read our guide on car token tax in Punjab – how to check and pay online for the full process.
Simple Habits That Keep You Fine-Free
Most fines come from a handful of habits: rushing through a changing signal, skipping the helmet on a short trip, or checking a phone message at a stop. Build the opposite habits — slow down when the signal turns yellow, keep helmets on the bike even for nearby trips, and park your phone in the glove box. Also verify your vehicle record every few months so a challan issued to a previous owner or a camera error is caught early and can be disputed in time.
A Quick Note on Islamabad and Sindh Fines
Drivers who travel between provinces are often surprised that the same violation costs a different amount across a provincial border. Islamabad follows the Islamabad Traffic Police schedule, where several common fines — including speeding and signal violations — are set at their own levels, and repeat violations can attract heavier penalties. Sindh, including Karachi, applies its own schedule through the Sindh Police and the Excise & Taxation Department, and Karachi’s challans are calculated under Sindh rules, not Punjab’s. If you receive a challan outside Punjab, always read the amount printed on that challan and pay through the official channel of the issuing authority rather than relying on this Punjab table.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fine for jumping a red signal in Punjab in 2026?
As per the commonly published schedule for 2026, signal jumping carries a fine of about Rs. 2,000 for cars and Rs. 1,000 for motorcycles in Punjab. Always confirm the current amount on the official portal before paying, as rates are revised from time to time.
What is the helmet fine for motorcyclists in Lahore?
The commonly published fine for riding without a helmet in Punjab is Rs. 2,000. Enforcement is strict in Lahore, and PSCA cameras as well as traffic wardens can issue this challan.
Are traffic fines the same in every city of Pakistan?
No. Each province and the Islamabad Capital Territory set their own fine schedules. The amounts in this article apply to Punjab; Karachi (Sindh) and Islamabad have their own rates, which can be higher or lower for the same violation.
Can an unpaid e-challan block my vehicle transfer?
Yes. Pending e-challans are linked to your vehicle’s excise record in Punjab and can block token tax payment and ownership transfer until they are cleared.
How can I check the exact fine amount for my challan?
The exact amount is printed on your challan slip and shown when you enter your vehicle number on the official PSCA e-challan portal. Pay the amount shown against your PSID, not the amount in any general list.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only. Fine amounts are taken from the commonly published schedule for 2026 and may change. Always confirm the current amount on the official government portal before paying.