Realities of automatic detection of foreign plate

[f00kie]

I've brought over a foreign car from Canada to London. The car is legally in the UK, and I am insured with proper UK insurance. I can keep it in the country for 2 years, with my Canadian plates (and a CDN sticker).

So, what is the reality of plate detection-based fines and charges for me? Specifically, what happens with:
- London CCZ (I live across the street from it, entered it once on a weekday, did not pay)
- Speed cameras/red light cameras
- Parking tickets around the country

In particular, for both the CCZ and the speed cameras, do the fines accumulate? Meaning, if, let's say the police find and/or pull me over 1-yr down the line, they will see all my speed-camera based infractions (if any, that I've not paid of course) and arrest me on the spot? And with the CCZ, does that accumulate as well, and then at some point I may owe thousands of pounds? And with parking tickets, are they likely to clamp/tow me instead of writing a parking ticket, as they would assume I would not pay the ticket?

Any experience with this? Online sources indicate that with speed cameras, the government "may" track down repeat offenders, somehow, but generally they do not. I am not sure how they would even track me down as my address is not associated with with my car or my plate, and I don't have a UK driver's license. I didn't see much on CCZ and parking tickets, except to say that UK motorists are upset at the likes of me.

Any insight appreciated.

[f00kie]

TooMany2cvs said:

f00kie said:

I can keep it in the country for 2 years, with my Canadian plates (and a CDN sticker).

No, you can't. Six months in any twelve, so long as you're not resident. Which you are, if you're living and working here for two years.
https://www.gov.uk/importing-vehicles-into-the-uk/...

f00kie said:

Meaning, if, let's say the police find and/or pull me over 1-yr down the line, they will see all my speed-camera based infractions (if any, that I've not paid of course) and arrest me on the spot? And with the CCZ, does that accumulate as well, and then at some point I may owe thousands of pounds? And with parking tickets, are they likely to clamp/tow me instead of writing a parking ticket, as they would assume I would not pay the ticket?

The car can be seized.
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-crac...

f00kie said:

I don't have a UK driver's license.

Canadian? So after twelve months, you'll need a UK licence.
https://www.gov.uk/driving-nongb-licence

So, in a year's time, the Police are going to be dealing with an UK resident with no valid driving licence, driving an unregistered car, probably with invalid insurance.

Please look at the students and workers exception. I have a letter from HMRC.

[f00kie]

Thank you all for feedback. FYI I am not trying to circumvent rules, especially speeding as that is safety. But I do want to have the relevant information in my hands.

I would take it that EPC will not apply to me as it probably does not have visibility into Canada. Good point on my insurance though; if there is a central database where my insurance company sent my info to, I would be there, along with my address.

[f00kie]

agtlaw said:

". In 2006, EPC issued notices to 93 countries in 15 languages. Our remit is to assist in the equality of enforcement by ensuring that traffic penalties are enforced with parity and fairness. "

Wow, nice find. Thanks.

Roo said:

Can't answer your questions unfortunately.

But, what car is it? Must be something special as it won't have been cheap to get here and sort out.

Nothing special, just a modified VW Golf GTI. I like driving and track the car, so I brought it over. Company paid the shipping as part of temporary relocation, but it's very reasonable to ship cars via boat.

[f00kie]

agtlaw said:

I'm assuming the HMRC letter confirms he is not resident in the UK?

It does not mention my residency status.

[f00kie]

Vaud said:

Yes, probably from Menwith Hill near Harrogate, not far away. As part of their tour of duty, they get their cars shipped to the UK. Plenty of American cars (though normally on UK plates) in the area.

Oh, and they have many services on base where they pay $ rates. I am not sure if petrol is one, but I wouldn't be surprised.

In fact how I was even able to get insurance with foreign plates is because of companies that offer services to the US military. They were okay registering a Canadian non-military too. I do believe they have US-priced gas stations on base.