Traffic violations: Why it’s not easy to claim Kerala Government’s 50% fine discounts

Thiruvananthapuram: Despite the Kerala Motor Vehicles Department (MVD) deciding to offer a 50% discount on traffic violation fines, vehicle owners are facing significant challenges in accessing the benefit. The primary crisis for owners is that cases already transferred to court must be recalled by the Police or the MVD before any discount can be applied.

Currently, the Motor Vehicles Department lacks a unified system for this process. While some officers insist that applicants must approach the specific office that issued the fine, others are forced to navigate a complex recall procedure. To apply for the discount, files must first be retrieved from the court and returned to the MVD.

The process is managed through a specific link on the Motor Vehicles Department website. However, the rule states that once 30 days have passed since a fine was issued, the case is automatically moved to court, complicating the retrieval process.

The situation is even more complex regarding police cases. To retrieve cases sent to court, only two offices in each police district have been authorized to handle the task. This limited access has created a major bottleneck for vehicle owners. While there are instructions to email documents to enforcement offices for file retrieval, many report a lack of timely action, a situation being exploited by middlemen.

The government announced the 50% discount in response to fine arrears exceeding ₹900 crore. The one-time settlement applies to traffic violations recorded up to December 2024. To benefit from the scheme, owners must apply by April 30, 2026.

Official Registration Link: Vehicle owners can register to reduce their fine amount at: https://services.mvd.kerala.gov.in/etax/

The solution: Adalats

Experts suggest that the scheme will only truly benefit owners if the Police and MVD organize 'Adalats' (special settlement camps) to recall court cases in bulk. Only after these office procedures are completed can owners successfully register on the portal for the reduced fine.