Without Helmet Fine in Chennai

In Chennai, the charge for driving without a helmet fine is ₹1,000 as per Section 194D of the Motor Vehicles Act 2019.

According to the Motor Vehicles Act 1988, any rider or pillion rider found driving without a helmet will be penalised as it is a punishable offence.

Previously, this without-helmet challan was fined ₹500, but with growing safety concerns regarding two-wheelers, the Indian Government made significant revisions to the Motor Vehicles Act 1988 with stricter penalties to encourage responsible riding.

Thus, to encourage two-wheeler owners to comply with this rule, the traffic authorities in Chennai impose a driving without helmet fine and a pillion rider helmet fine on all two-wheelers. Moreover, other severe consequences like licence suspension, additional penalties, and court orders are also applicable in various states in India.

First, the traffic police officer will signal you to stop your two-wheeler on the side of the road.

They will take your vehicle keys.

You will then be questioned on the absence of a helmet as the rider or pillion.

They will then request to see your vehicle RC, driving licence, bike insurance policy, etc.

Once they complete the document verification, they will issue you a without-helmet challan (if you are not wearing a helmet) or a pillion rider helmet fine challan (if the pillion is not wearing a helmet). This challan can be in hard copy or an e-challan.

In Chennai, the challan amount for both rider and pillion rider is ₹1,000, and in some cases, the rider’s driving licence is suspended for a minimum of three months.

This is because all riders on a two-wheeler have equal responsibility towards the mandatory traffic rules and regulations.

Online Process to Pay Driving Without Helmet Fine in Chennai: Parivahan Portal

Visit the Parivahan website.

From the homepage, find and select “Online Services” and click on the “E-Challan” option from the dropdown menu.

On the new webpage, click on “Pay Online” to proceed.

Enter your challan, vehicle, or driving licence number in the space provided below.

Based on your choice, you might be required to add additional information.

Once done, enter the captcha code and click on “Get Detail”.

All your without-helmet challan details will be displayed on the screen.

Select the one you want to pay, make the online payment using one of the available payment methods, and collect the payment receipt.

Online Process to Pay Driving Without Helmet Fine in Chennai: Tamil Nadu Police Website

Go to the official website of Tamil Nadu Police.

From the main page, find and select “e-payment traffic challan”.

You will now be redirected to the Parivahan e-challan website.

Enter your challan, vehicle, or driving licence number and click on “Get Detail”.

Once done, you will see all the due challans on the screen.

Select the one you wish to pay and make the necessary payment.

Collect the payment receipt as proof for future reference.

Offline Process to Pay Driving Without Helmet Fine in Chennai

Police Station - Go to the nearest police station, present your challan number, and make the payment in cash or via any other payment method permitted before collecting the payment receipt.

Regional Transport Office - Go to any of the RTOs in Chennai and present your challan copy, vehicle RC, and DL to the authorised officer. Once they verify your challan details, make the necessary payment and collect the receipt.

Traffic Police Officer - Find and approach any traffic police officer with an e-challan swipe machine and share your challan and vehicle details with the officer. Once he verifies the challan on the system, make the payment via cash or any other payment method available and ask for a receipt for proof of payment.

Do not drive any two-wheeler without a helmet. This helmet rule applies to both the rider and the pillion rider. If found without one, you will be liable to pay a without-helmet fine in Chennai and a pillion rider helmet fine, respectively.

Any pillion rider above 4 years of age should wear a helmet when sitting on a two-wheeler.

For Sikh individuals and their family members who wear turbans, the mandate for helmets is exempted.

All helmets should meet the specifications listed by the Bureau of Indian Standards.

Keep the helmet strapped in properly. It should cover the entire face and head for maximum protection. The strap also reduces the risk of the helmet falling off during accidents.

To comply with the double helmet rule in Chennai, all two-wheeler manufacturers should provide two BIS-compliant helmets at the time of purchase.

To reduce the risk of your application being rejected at the RTO, you must have the proof of helmet provided by the manufacturer at the time of registration.

What is the Right Type of Helmet to Wear?

According to the Motor Vehicles Act and Bureau of Indian Standards, helmet specifications all over India include the following aspects.

No half helmets are permitted. Full-cover helmets are necessary for maximum protection.

The weight of the helmet should be no more than 1.2 kg.

The thickness of the helmet should be between 20 to 25 mm, made with high-quality foam.

All the helmets should have the mandatory ISI mark.

The helmet's eye-covering part should be made from transparent, durable material to ensure clear visibility for the rider.

There are prescribed BIS tests conducted to check the durability of a helmet under different weather conditions and speed limits. Every helmet should pass these tests to be permitted for use.

Always wear a helmet when riding a two-wheeler.

If a pillion rider is accompanying you on your two-wheeler, keep the pillion rider's helmet handy at all times to avoid additional risks and penalties.

Ensure your helmet meets the BIS standards to avoid fines.

Lock your helmets to your two-wheeler to always remember to wear them when heading out.

Ensure the straps on your helmets work properly and provide complete protection for your head.

When buying a bike insurance policy, the policy premium is one of the key factors that help you decide which insurance plan and provider to choose. However, your driving record has a direct impact on your premium for insurance for a 2-wheeler.

If you have numerous records of driving without-helmet fine under your name, it will showcase poor compliance on your behalf towards the Chennai traffic rules. Moreover, the other challans and driving behaviour can also impact the premium and result in higher premiums when purchasing a two-wheeler insurance policy.

With a clean driving record, you can benefit from reduced premiums, timely claim settlements, better coverage, and financial security with Tata AIG. You can choose between own-damage, third-party, and comprehensive bike insurance policies.

We provide customisation flexibility with our comprehensive plans, which include a range of different add-ons for maximum coverage options. Moreover, you can compare two-wheeler insurance plans directly on our website to make the right choice based on your specific coverage needs.

Wearing a proper helmet as a rider or pillion rider on a two-wheeler is not just necessary to avoid a without-helmet challan. It is also an important aspect of road safety. Unforeseen circumstances can arise with no warning, but a helmet at least guarantees minimum damage and injuries.

By following the necessary traffic rules for 2-wheelers in Chennai, you are complying with the law and proving yourself to be a responsible rider. Your participation in safe riding habits will ensure a stress-free riding experience for yourself and the other vehicles on the roads in Chennai.

What happens if my helmet is not ISI-marked?

If your helmet is not ISI-marked, it is considered illegal, and you will be required to pay the driving without helmet fine of ₹1,000.

How many years of clean driving history is taken into consideration when insurers decide on premiums?

The years of clean driving history vary from insurer to insurer. However, a violation-free record of a minimum of 3 to 5 years is commonly considered suitable proof of your driving skills, resulting in reduced premiums.

Is there any rule for triple-riding in Chennai?

According to the traffic laws in Chennai, a two-wheeler should not accommodate more than one pillion rider. Triple-riding or extra pillion riders can attract fines of up to ₹2,000 and DL suspension for a minimum of three months.