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Lok Adalat for Traffic Challans: Dates, Token and Rules
A Lok Adalat can settle a pending traffic challan in one sitting. The next National Lok Adalat is on 12 December 2026. Only compoundable challans are taken, usually up to a cut-off date, and you book a token online first (in Delhi on the traffic police portal). There is no fixed discount: the bench decides the amount, and its decision is final.
- Next national date
- 12 December 2026
- Which challans
- Compoundable, up to the cut-off
- Booking
- Online token (Delhi portal)
- Discount
- Not fixed; the bench decides
- Appeal
- None; award is final
On this page
When are the Lok Adalats in 2026?
| National Lok Adalat | Status |
|---|---|
| 14 March 2026 | Held |
| 9 May 2026 | Held |
| 12 September 2026 | Held (Delhi moved its sitting; see below) |
| 12 December 2026 | Next sitting |
Dates are from the Himachal Pradesh State Legal Services Authority's 2026 schedule. Each state's legal services authority announces whether traffic challans are included and the cut-off date. In Delhi, the September sitting was moved to 25 October 2026, for compoundable challans pending up to 30 June 2026. Delhi also holds separate Special Lok Adalats for traffic cases.
Which challans can be settled at a Lok Adalat?
- Only compoundable challans and notices: offences that the law allows to be settled by paying an amount. Serious offences, such as drink driving, are usually decided in court.
- Usually only challans issued up to a cut-off date named in the notice.
- In Delhi, a private vehicle can book up to 5 notices and 2 challans; a commercial vehicle 1 notice and 1 challan, and only if the fine is below ₹10,000.
- Not every state includes e-challans every time. Check your state's notice.
How do you book a Lok Adalat token?
YouTraffic police / Lok AdalatPayment
- Read your state legal services authority's notice: date, cut-off and limits
- On the traffic police portal, enter the vehicle number and the OTP sent to the RC's mobile
- Choose the challans, a court complex and a slot; accept the undertaking
- Print the appointment
- Can you attend on the date?No: book again for the next Lok Adalat
- At the bench, agree the amount and pay as directed
- The challan is disposed of; the award is final
Delhi
- Open the Delhi Traffic Police Lok Adalat portal (see the official instructions) when booking opens.
- Enter the vehicle number and captcha, then the OTP sent to the owner's registered mobile number. If no mobile is linked, use Update Vehicle Owner Mobile on the portal.
- Select the challans or notices, a court complex and a forenoon or afternoon slot.
- Accept the undertaking that you will not contest the challan on vcourts.gov.in, submit, and print the appointment. You need the printout to enter.
- Lost the printout? Use Reprint with the vehicle number and OTP before the date.
Other states
- Watch the notices of your State or District Legal Services Authority and the traffic police website before each National Lok Adalat.
- Some states list challans directly. For example, Rajasthan's notice for September 2026 included compoundable traffic challans.
- Where there is no online booking, contact the District Legal Services Authority at your district court.
What happens on the day?
Carry with you
- The printed appointment or token.
- The challan or notice number.
- Your RC, licence and ID proof.
- An authorisation letter if you are not the vehicle owner.
The bench works by agreement, not a trial. It looks at your challan and settles the amount. No fixed discount is published. Once you agree, the award is treated like a civil court decree, and no appeal lies against it. Keep the receipt.
Lok Adalat, pay online, or contest?
| Option | Best when |
|---|---|
| Lok Adalat | You accept the challan, it is compoundable, and you can wait for the date |
| Pay online | You accept it and want it closed now: see check and pay a challan |
| Contest | The challan is wrong: contest it on Virtual Courts or the state grievance system. You can't contest a challan you booked for Lok Adalat in Delhi |
What can go wrong, and how do you fix it?
| Your situation | What it usually means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| No OTP | No mobile number on the RC | Use Update Vehicle Owner Mobile on the portal, or update the mobile on VAHAN. |
| Challan not listed | Issued after the cut-off, not compoundable, or already in court | Pay online, or deal with it in court. |
| No slots left | The daily or total limit is used up | Pay online, or wait for the next Lok Adalat. |
| Missed the slot | You did not attend | Book again for the next Lok Adalat. |
| Message offering a "Lok Adalat waiver" link | A scam | Ignore it. Use only official .gov.in sites that you type in yourself. If you lost money, call 1930 or report on cybercrime.gov.in. |
Frequently asked questions
When is the next Lok Adalat for traffic challans?
The next National Lok Adalat is on 12 December 2026. Check your state legal services authority's notice to see whether challans are included.
Is there a fixed discount?
No. The bench decides the amount in each case.
Which challans can I settle?
Only compoundable challans, usually up to a cut-off date in the notice.
How many challans can I settle in Delhi?
Up to 5 notices and 2 challans for a private vehicle, and 1 of each for a commercial vehicle with a fine below ₹10,000.
Can I go without a token?
Not in Delhi: you need the printed appointment.
Can I appeal a Lok Adalat decision?
No. The award is final and binding.
Is a WhatsApp Lok Adalat payment link real?
Treat it as a scam. Book and pay only on official government sites.
Sources
- HP State Legal Services Authority – National Lok Adalat schedule 2026 (accessed 25 Oct 2026)
- Delhi State Legal Services Authority – notifications, including the notice of 9 Sep 2026 moving the sitting to 25 Oct 2026 (accessed 25 Oct 2026)
- Delhi Traffic Police – Lok Adalat instructions (accessed 25 Oct 2026)
- NALSA – Lok Adalat: award final and binding (accessed 25 Oct 2026)
- Rajasthan High Court Legal Services Committee – notice (Aug 2026) (accessed 25 Oct 2026)
- DLSA South-East, Delhi – Special Lok Adalat (Traffic), Jul 2026 (accessed 25 Oct 2026)
- PIB – cyber crimes through fake sites: reporting on 1930 and cybercrime.gov.in (24 Jul 2024) (accessed 25 Oct 2026)
Page history: 25 Oct 2026: first published. 25 Oct 2026: sources limited to government websites.