Diwali 2026 falls on 8th November. Once the puja, the sweets and the family visits are over many people head out on a short vacation, which usually means a road trip. A car that has been sitting through the festive days will need a good check first before embarking on the journey. This Diwali 2026 road trip checklist covers 15 things to do
Car Checks Before a Long Drive
- Tyres: check air pressure, tread depth, look out for any cracks at the side walls and make sure you have a good spare.
- Brakes: if the brake pedal feels mushy or the car is making a grinding noise have it checked by a mechanic.
- Engine oil and coolant: top them all up as you would need them on the way.
- Battery: if the battery is struggling when you have been sitting for days, it will struggle more.
- Lights and indicators: make sure the headlights, tail lights and hazard lights are working.
- Wipers and washer fluid: early winter means misty weather and you will need clean windscreens.
- AC and heater: give them a run for a minute.
- Emergency kit: make sure you have a torch, jumper leads, first-aid box, power bank and tools in case of an emergency.
Documents to Carry
- RC (Registration Certificate): carry around a photocopy and make sure your details are correct.
- Insurance: valid throughout the trip including the return journey.
- PUC certificate: an expired PUC can result in a fine.
- Driving licence: confirm the expiry date and carry the physical copy.
Challan Check: The Item Most Drivers Forget
Traffic cameras keep a watch on the roads without notifying the driver. This means that a fine can be imposed without the driver’s knowledge and it can take days before the fine appears in the account. A quick challan checking can help you stay informed and avoid a surprise at a checkpoint, at a renewal or at a resale. The MyMotor helps you check for any pending e-challans and RC details using your vehicle number.
Since rules and portals differ from state to state it is best to check for each of the states that you will be driving through on your route. Heading to the desert forts and lakes? It is best to do an echallan Rajasthan. Driving through Uttar Pradesh towards Agra or Varanasi? Run a UP challan check. Planning a trip to backwaters and beaches? It is time to look up challan check Kerala. Going to the Rann or Gir? Search echallan Gujarat. Travelling to Darjeeling or Kolkata? Do a WB challan.
Plan the Drive
- Route and fuel: note down fuel stops and toll plazas and download offline maps for hilly and remote areas.
- Stay: since popular spots tend to fill up right after the holiday, make sure to book in advance.
- Rest: leave early and take a break every two hours.
FAQs
Q.What should I check before a post-Diwali road trip?
A.Check tyres, brakes, fluids, battery and lights, then your RC, insurance, PUC and licence, and finally any pending challans.
Q.How do I do a challan check before a long drive?
A.Enter your vehicle number on the official e-challan portal or an app like MyMotor’s Challan Check App to see pending fines.
Q.When should I start preparing?
A.About a week before you plan to leave, which leaves time for repairs and fine clearance.
Good Roads, Clear Records, Happy Holidays
Most road trip issues can be avoided. A short check of the car, the papers and the route done early allows one to enjoy the holiday itself.
