The e-challan process typically follows the steps below: –

1. The traffic constable or higher enforcing officer can capture the registration number of the vehicle of the offender through his hand-held Android device that has the relevant mobile App.
2. Since the e-challan system is linked with the Vahaan-Sarathi database, the details of the driver or the owner of the vehicle are derived easily.
3. The type of offense committed will be decided by the traffic police.
4. The fine amount is automatically updated, and a printout of the challan is then handed over to the offender.

Now the offender must pay the fine. He has three ways to do so: –

1. He can pay cash to the traffic police at the site of offense
2. He can get online and pay
3. He can visit the nearest regional transport office and submit cash

The offender has three ways of paying online: –

1. Scan the QR code on the e-challan, get connected directly to the official website of the transport department of the region/state and make payments
2. He can register and log in to the official website and pay using a payment gateway
3. He can visit the website or mobile App of a third-party reseller like Paytm or MobiKwik and pay online

On the other end, the transport department officials can monitor and check if the payment has been received or not. In case payment has been received, the officer will close the case, else he will enable notifications to be sent to the offender.  In case the offender defaults payment on a continuous basis, he will be issued an order from the court to have the payment done.

One of the main advantages of an automated system like this is the tracking feature. The ministry and enforcing agencies can not only keep a check on payments received and revenue generated, they can also see the list of pending payments, defaulter payments, the alerts and notifications that have been issued to defaulters and how the system is progressing in the entire region – which areas have the highest incidence of offenses, which areas have civilized traffic movements, which are the types of offenses being repeated in a particular region, etc.

Payment online against e-challans can be done in four ways: –

1. Use a credit card – type in your card number, the validity period and the CVV number and complete the process
2. Use a debit card – enter the card number and expiry date. Type in the CVV and have the money debited directly from your bank account.
3. Use Net banking – enter your customer id or bank account number and password and pay up the money in a matter of seconds
4. Use the electronic wallet of the retailer. It is important to note here that the traffic department to proposes to come with an e-challan wallet soon.

As on date the system has been implemented in Telangana, Mumbai, Chennai, Pune, Andhra Pradesh, Kolkata, Nasik, Vijayawada, Vishakhapatnam and West Godavari.