Pakistan New Traffic Challan Rates 2026: The Updated MVO Fines, License Points System, and How to Check Your Record
The Motor Vehicle Ordinance (MVO) 2026 amendment, passed in July and in effect from 1 August 2026, raised the fine on most traffic violations by 50 to 200%, introduced a 12-point driving licence demerit system, and added new violations for phone use while driving, lane violations, and emergency-corridor blocking. The new rates apply uniformly across Punjab, Sindh, KP, Balochistan, and ICT. Here is the full updated fine schedule, how the demerit point system works, and how to check whether you have outstanding challans.
The previous MVO amendment was in 2015, and the fine amounts had not been updated in 11 years. The 2026 amendment is the first comprehensive revision, with three objectives: bring the fine amounts in line with the actual cost of enforcement, introduce a demerit point system that links fines to licence risk, and add new violation categories for the modern road environment. The amendment was passed by the National Assembly in June 2026, signed by the President in July 2026, and came into effect on 1 August 2026 across all provinces.
What the new fine schedule looks like
| Violation | Old fine (pre-2026) | New fine (2026) | Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Signal jumping / red-light violation | Rs 1,000 | Rs 5,000 | 5x |
| Speeding (20 km/h over the limit) | Rs 500 | Rs 2,500 | 5x |
| Speeding (40 km/h over the limit) | Rs 1,000 | Rs 5,000 | 5x |
| Speeding (60+ km/h over the limit) | Rs 1,500 | Rs 10,000 | 6.7x |
| Using mobile phone while driving | Rs 500 | Rs 3,000 | 6x |
| Not wearing a seatbelt (driver or front passenger) | Rs 500 | Rs 1,500 | 3x |
| Not wearing a helmet (motorcycle rider or pillion) | Rs 500 | Rs 2,000 | 4x |
| Driving without a valid licence | Rs 1,000 | Rs 10,000 | 10x |
| Driving an unregistered vehicle | Rs 1,000 | Rs 5,000 | 5x |
| Lane violation / wrong-side driving | Rs 500 | Rs 3,000 | 6x |
| Lane violation (motorway) | Rs 1,000 | Rs 7,500 | 7.5x |
| Blocking an emergency corridor (ambulance, fire, police) | Rs 1,500 | Rs 15,000 | 10x |
| Drink driving (first offence) | Rs 2,000 | Rs 25,000 + licence suspension 6 months | 12.5x + suspension |
| Drink driving (repeat within 3 years) | Rs 5,000 | Rs 100,000 + licence cancellation | 20x + cancellation |
| Hit-and-run (no injury) | Rs 5,000 | Rs 50,000 + licence suspension 1 year | 10x + suspension |
| Hit-and-run (with injury) | Rs 10,000 | Rs 200,000 + licence cancellation + criminal case | 20x + cancellation |
| Overloading (commercial vehicle, 50% over capacity) | Rs 3,000 | Rs 20,000 + vehicle impoundment | 6.7x + impoundment |
| No fitness certificate (commercial vehicle) | Rs 1,000 | Rs 10,000 + vehicle impoundment | 10x + impoundment |
| Pollution / no fitness (private vehicle, 10+ years old) | Rs 500 | Rs 5,000 | 10x |
The fine amounts are uniform across Pakistan under the federal MVO framework. The provincial transport departments collect the fines and retain 70% of the revenue; the federal government gets 30% for the National Highways and Motorway Police operations.
How the new 12-point demerit system works
The 2026 amendment introduces a 12-point demerit system on every Pakistani driving licence. The system works as follows:
- Every licence starts at 0 demerit points
- Every traffic violation adds a fixed number of points (typically 1 to 6 points per violation)
- Reaching 6 demerit points in a 12-month period triggers a 1-month licence suspension
- Reaching 9 demerit points triggers a 3-month suspension
- Reaching 12 demerit points triggers a 6-month suspension and a mandatory retest
- After 12 months without any violation, the demerit points reset to 0
- Drink driving and hit-and-run carry an automatic 6-point demerit, plus the fine and the suspension
The demerit point counts for the most common violations are:
| Violation | Demerit points |
|---|---|
| Signal jumping | 3 |
| Speeding (20+ km/h over) | 2 |
| Speeding (40+ km/h over) | 4 |
| Speeding (60+ km/h over) | 6 |
| Using mobile phone | 2 |
| Not wearing seatbelt / helmet | 1 |
| Lane violation | 2 |
| Blocking emergency corridor | 4 |
| Drink driving (first) | 6 + 6-month suspension |
| Hit-and-run | 6 + suspension / cancellation |
How the challan is issued in 2026
There are now three ways a challan can be issued, and all three create the same digital record on the licence:
- Physical stop by traffic police: the police officer uses a handheld device to scan your licence barcode and issues a printed receipt. The violation is recorded instantly in the central database
- Camera-issued e-challan: the Safe City Authority cameras, the motorway cameras, and the new district cameras capture the violation (signal jumping, speeding, lane violation) and the system automatically issues an e-challan to the registered owner of the vehicle
- Public-reported challan: a new 2026 system that allows any citizen to upload a video of a traffic violation through the Citizen Portal app; if the video is verified by the traffic police, an e-challan is issued to the violator
All three methods create the same digital record. The e-challan and public-reported challans are mailed to the registered address of the vehicle owner, and the SMS notification goes to the mobile number registered with NADRA against the CNIC.
How to pay a challan
Three ways to pay, all available 24/7:
- Online: visit the MTO (Motor Transport Office) portal at mtopakistan.gov.pk, enter your vehicle number or CNIC, and pay via 1Bill, JazzCash, EasyPaisa, or bank card
- Bank: any HBL, UBL, Meezan, or Bank Alfalah branch, using the printed or e-challan receipt
- App: the MTO Pakistan mobile app (Android and iOS) for one-tap payment
Payment deadlines and late-payment penalties:
| Payment timing | Penalty |
|---|---|
| Within 15 days of the challan | No late penalty (just the fine) |
| 16 to 30 days | 25% late penalty |
| 31 to 60 days | 50% late penalty |
| More than 60 days | 100% late penalty, plus the demerit points stack, plus licence suspension if 6+ points |
How to check whether you have outstanding challans
Three ways to check, all free:
- Online: mtopakistan.gov.pk → “Check Challan” → enter your vehicle number or CNIC. The system shows all open and paid challans for the past 5 years, the total amount due, and the demerit point count on your licence
- SMS: send your vehicle number to 9966 (free). The system replies with the number of open challans, the total amount, and the demerit point count
- App: the MTO Pakistan app, which has the same data plus a notification when a new challan is issued
If you receive a challan that is not yours (e.g., the vehicle was sold but the registration was not transferred), you can dispute it through the MTO portal within 15 days, with a copy of the sale deed as evidence.
What to do if you have accumulated 6+ demerit points
If you hit 6 or more demerit points in a 12-month period, you will receive an SMS from the MTO with the suspension notice. The suspension is automatic and begins 7 days after the SMS, giving you time to clear pending challans. During the suspension:
- You cannot drive any motor vehicle in Pakistan
- Driving during suspension is a separate offence (Rs 25,000 fine + 6-month licence cancellation)
- The suspension period starts from the date the system issues the suspension notice, not from the date of the last violation
- After the suspension period ends, your licence is reactivated but the demerit points remain on the record (they reset to 0 only after 12 months of no violations)
For 12-point suspensions (the highest tier), the retest is mandatory. The retest is the standard licence renewal test (computer test + practical test) and is administered at any MTO office. There is a Rs 5,000 retest fee.
What to do if you have an old challan from before 1 August 2026
Old challans (issued under the 2015 MVO rates) can still be paid at the old rates, but only until 31 December 2026. After 1 January 2027, all unpaid pre-August 2026 challans are converted to the new 2026 rates and the demerit points are added to the licence. So the cleanest move is to pay all old challans at the old rates before the end of 2026.
What changed for the public transport and commercial vehicles
Three changes that specifically affect commercial drivers and operators:
- The overloading fine is now Rs 20,000 plus vehicle impoundment (was Rs 3,000 with no impoundment). The vehicle is released only after the fine is paid AND the load is brought within the legal limit
- The fitness certificate requirement is now annual for all commercial vehicles, including rickshaws, taxis, and buses. The fine for not having a current fitness certificate is Rs 10,000 plus vehicle impoundment
- The 10-year-old pollution test requirement now applies to private vehicles as well, not just commercial. The new fine is Rs 5,000 for a 10+-year-old private vehicle without a current pollution certificate
The new MVO is the first serious attempt to link traffic enforcement to licence risk. The demerit point system is what makes the higher fines bite, because the licence is the asset most drivers cannot afford to lose.
— Punjab Transport Department spokesperson, in the 25 July 2026 briefing
Quick answers
What is the new fine for signal jumping?
Rs 5,000 (up from Rs 1,000), plus 3 demerit points. The new fine is 5x the old rate.
How do I check my demerit points?
Send your vehicle number to 9966, or visit mtopakistan.gov.pk. The system shows your point count and any active suspension notice.
What is the drink driving fine in 2026?
Rs 25,000 + 6-month licence suspension for the first offence. Rs 100,000 + licence cancellation for a repeat within 3 years. The demerit points are 6 in both cases.
Can I dispute a wrong challan?
Yes, within 15 days of the challan, through the MTO portal. You need a copy of the sale deed (if the vehicle was sold), the rental agreement (if the vehicle was rented), or a police report (if the vehicle was stolen).
Do old challans at the old rates expire?
Yes. Old challans can be paid at the 2015 rates until 31 December 2026. After that, unpaid old challans are converted to the 2026 rates and the demerit points are added.
