Challan guide · Section 184
Using a mobile phone while driving
Using a handheld phone while driving is booked as dangerous driving under Section 184: ₹1,000 to ₹5,000 for a first offence, with possible imprisonment, and up to ₹10,000 for a repeat. States can set different compounding amounts, so the amount on your challan may differ from the Act amount shown here.
- Section
- Section 184
- First offence
- ₹1,000 to ₹5,000
- Repeat offence
- Up to ₹10,000
- Usually detected by
- Officer device
The rule and the penalty
What the Act says
Since the 2019 amendment, Section 184 includes using a handheld communication device while driving.
Using a handheld phone while driving is booked as dangerous driving under Section 184: ₹1,000 to ₹5,000 for a first offence, with possible imprisonment, and up to ₹10,000 for a repeat. For fleets, the driver's phone is also how dispatch reaches him, so the fix is a rule on when and how calls are taken, not a ban on carrying the phone.
| Offence | Motor Vehicles Act amount |
|---|---|
| First | ₹1,000 to ₹5,000, and imprisonment is possible |
| Repeat | Up to ₹10,000, and imprisonment is possible |
| Section | Section 184 |
| Who usually pays | Usually the driver, under fleet policy. |
States can set different compounding amounts, so the amount on your challan may differ from the Act amount shown here. The challan itself shows the section and the amount charged. Last checked 12 Nov 2026.
How it is detected
How to check and pay it
Seen by an officer or recorded by cameras that can see into the cabin. It is booked as dangerous driving.
- 1
Open the Parivahan e-Challan website (echallan.parivahan.gov.in) or your state traffic police's e-challan page, and choose to check challan status.
- 2
Search by vehicle number, challan number or driving licence number. Search by vehicle number to see every challan on the truck, whoever was driving.
- 3
Open each challan and check the date, time, place, section and the photograph or officer details against your trip log and the driver on duty.
- 4
If the challan is correct, pay it online by UPI, card or net banking and save the receipt with the challan number.
- 5
If it has been sent to a virtual court, pay or contest it there through the virtual courts portal (vcourts.gov.in) before the date shown.
- 6
If it is wrong, raise a grievance with the issuing authority with your evidence, such as the trip log or GPS record, before the deadline on the challan.
- 7
Recheck after a few days that the challan shows as paid or disposed. Pending challans can hold up RTO services for the vehicle.
How to avoid it
Stop it before the camera does
- Set a rule that drivers take calls only when stopped, or on a hands-free set.
- Send trip and document updates on WhatsApp so the driver reads them at a halt, not on the move.
- Match each challan to the driver on duty and discuss it the same week.
New since yesterday's check
Using a mobile phone while driving
- Vehicle
- MH 04 II 8820
- Section
- Section 184
- Act amount
- ₹1,000 to ₹5,000
- Issued
- 10 Nov 2026, Mumbai-Nashik Highway, Thane
- Detected by
- Officer device
PRACHSO checks every vehicle for new e-challans daily and puts each one on the driver who was on duty, with payment and virtual court status tracked to the end. How the Challan Desk works.
Questions about this challan
States can set different compounding amounts, so the amount on your challan may differ from the Act amount shown here.
What is the fine for using a phone while driving a truck?
It is booked as dangerous driving under Section 184: ₹1,000 to ₹5,000 for a first offence with possible imprisonment, and up to ₹10,000 for a repeat. States can set different compounding amounts.
Is a hands-free call allowed?
Section 184 targets handheld devices. Hands-free use is not the same offence, but anything that distracts the driver is still risky.
Will PRACHSO's WhatsApp reminders distract drivers?
Reminders are sent in the morning and are short. Drivers read them at a halt and reply with one tap.
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