Traffic Violation Fines Compared: Karnataka vs Telangana

Traffic fines in India were meant to be standardised after the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, with states directed to adopt higher penalties from 2025 onwards. On paper, that meant the same fine for the same offence across the country. But the ground reality tells a different story.

A look at Telangana vs Karnataka challan rates shows that even in 2025, the numbers don’t always match. While both states have updated their rules, the fines you’ll actually pay in Hyderabad are not identical to those in Bengaluru. The difference comes from how each state has notified, implemented, or tiered its penalties. Keep reading because this blog takes you through the common violations and their fines across both states to give you a clear comparison. 

Why Compare Telangana vs Karnataka Challan Rates?

For motorists, the biggest question is simple: how much will I be fined if I break a traffic rule in my city? The logic behind comparing Telangana vs Karnataka challan rates is that these are two large southern states with heavy vehicle populations, both early adopters of e-challan enforcement.

Yet the penalty structure is not the same. For example, Hyderabad typically fine ₹ 1,000 for mobile use; Bengaluru also uses ₹ 1,000 for many vehicle types, but there may be higher fines of upto ₹5,000 in specific categories or repeat violations.  Similarly, In Telangana, the fine for signal-jumping is often ₹ 1,000; in Karnataka, many lists show ₹ 500 for basic cases, with potentially higher fines for serious or repeated offences. On the flip side, driving without a licence is far stricter in Bengaluru compared to Hyderabad.

By comparing both, drivers can see how fines still differ despite national efforts to standardise them. It’s also a reminder that if you travel between states, your liabilities can vary.

Comparison of Telangana vs Karnataka Challan Rates

Here’s a quick side-by-side of the 10 most common offences and how their fines differ in Telangana vs Karnataka.

Abbreviations used: 2W = Two-Wheeler, LMV = Light Motor Vehicle, HGV = Heavy Goods Vehicle.

Important Note 

• The information above is sourced from the official website of Hyderabad Traffic Police (2025) and Bengaluru Traffic Police (2025) official spot fine list. It is always best to check your challan status online to know the actual fine rate.
• Traffic Fines in India in 2025 have been revised upwards across the board, but state-level adoption takes time.
• In some cases, fines are flat in Telangana, while Karnataka applies slabs based on vehicle class or repeat offences. 

What the Comparison Tells Us

Looking at the table, there are a few trends that are worth noting:

• Stricter in Karnataka: Licence-related offences and mobile phone usage carry much heavier fines in Bengaluru. The tiered fines mean that the same violation costs more in bigger vehicles.
• Flat rates in Telangana: Most of the Telangana vs Karnataka challan rates highlight Telangana maintaining a single amount of fine for all vehicles, be it a two-wheeler or truck.
• Signal and helmet gaps: Jumping a signal is ₹1,000 in Hyderabad but only ₹500 in Bengaluru. Helmet fines also differ sharply at ₹200 vs ₹500.
• Parking is similar: Parking in no-parking zones is the same at ₹1,000 for both states.
• Court fines: In a few categories (such as registration issues in Karnataka), the amount is determined in court and thus is difficult to compare directly.

The most important point to be noted is that Telangana vs Karnataka challan rates are not the same even after national revisions. A driver travelling between Bengaluru and Hyderabad should be prepared to face the laws in two different ways.

Staying Ahead of Challan Issues

If you are driving regularly in these states, it is advisable to keep a check on your challan status and pay the due amount in time.

• For Karnataka drivers: You can easily view and check e challan online in Karnataka and pay off pending fines instantly.
• For Telangana drivers: The process is similar. You can check e challan online in Telangana and settle dues before they escalate.

Not only does this prevent late fees, but regular checks also ensure that outstanding fines do not prevent RC transfers or the renewal of your licence.

Summary

India has updated its traffic fines on a national level, but if you split it down to state lists, there are still stark differences between Telangana vs Karnataka challan rates. National rules were designed to bring uniformity, but a comparison shows that enforcement still depends on state notifications. While Telangana has lower and flatter penalties for licence and mobile offences, Karnataka imposes higher penalties.

For motorists, the bottom line is clear: don't assume the fine in one state is the same as in another state. Before you drive across state borders, always check your challans on official portals. By doing so, you'll ensure that your record stays clean, avoid unexpected expenses, and stay on the right side of the law.