Karachi Authorities Impose Heavy Fines on Drivers Operating Without a License

The Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Traffic Police has urged Karachi residents to ensure they possess valid driving licences, as authorities intensify enforcement across the city. The warning comes amid a crackdown on unlicensed driving and other traffic violations aimed at improving road safety and compliance.

According to the DIG, motorcycle riders caught driving without a valid licence will face a fine of Rs. 20,000. Under the updated penalty structure, fines differ by vehicle category — light transport vehicle (LTV) drivers can be fined up to Rs. 30,000, while heavy transport vehicle (HTV) drivers may face penalties as high as Rs. 50,000 for driving without a licence.

Over the past 24 hours, Karachi Traffic Police issued more than 4,000 e-challans for various violations. The most frequent offense was not wearing a seat belt, accounting for 2,737 challans. Other violations included 812 fines for riding without helmets, 169 for running red lights, 116 for speeding, and 157 for using mobile phones while driving. Police also issued 24 challans for illegal parking, four for overloading, 23 for stop-line violations, eight for wrong-way driving, and 56 for tinted windows.

The DIG emphasized that the e-challaning system is fully operational and aims to promote compliance, not punishment. He reiterated that all drivers must adhere to the city’s traffic laws, with a universal speed limit of 60 km/h for all vehicles. “No one is exempt from following the rules,” he said, urging citizens to cooperate with authorities to ensure safer roads for everyone.