Running out of time to pay a fine, what normally happens?
Discussion
I'm looking for a bit of advice on a small matter. I was stopped for speeding on the 23rd of October. Fair cop, 43 in a 30. I was issued with a fixed penalty, 3 points and £100 fine. Fast forward 2 days, and I got a very unexpected call from work to ask if I could return a week early to cover for someone who had to go home on compassionate leave.
I work offshore, and habitually take my licence in case a hire car is called for, normally decided by my company. Now before I left, given the situation and rushing about trying to deal with other business before leaving, I thought I'd just deal with the fixed penalty when I got home. Now at work, I've been asked (told, rather!!), that I need to remain on the rig for an extra week, due to my colleauge that I was covering for's circumstances getting worse (terminal illness in family, but won't go into it in detail). This means that I'll return on day 28 of my payment period for the fixed penalty. I tried to be as dilligent as I could and called my local court, explaining my situation and asking if there's anything I can do to give me a couple of extra days. The woman I spoke to was extremely nice but explained there's nothing I can do other than let it lapse. She said that what normally happens is that they just reissue the fine/penalty, and I'll have a chance to pay it then. She said that they appreciate that folk do sometimes forget due to things happening in life, or losing licences in a house move, holidays etc etc.
Googling this, it seems that I could be looking at extra points and a larger fine, contrary to the advice the woman at the local court gave me. Does anyone have any experience of this situation or similar? I could mail my licence home, but living myself it would be a bit of a chew. It would need to go to my parents, who'd need to go to mine to find the penalty slip, send it on. I'd probably run out of time given that there are no more flights for mail off the rig until Friday now!
So does the woman's advice sound reasonable, or am I looking at a higher fine and more points for my troubles?
I work offshore, and habitually take my licence in case a hire car is called for, normally decided by my company. Now before I left, given the situation and rushing about trying to deal with other business before leaving, I thought I'd just deal with the fixed penalty when I got home. Now at work, I've been asked (told, rather!!), that I need to remain on the rig for an extra week, due to my colleauge that I was covering for's circumstances getting worse (terminal illness in family, but won't go into it in detail). This means that I'll return on day 28 of my payment period for the fixed penalty. I tried to be as dilligent as I could and called my local court, explaining my situation and asking if there's anything I can do to give me a couple of extra days. The woman I spoke to was extremely nice but explained there's nothing I can do other than let it lapse. She said that what normally happens is that they just reissue the fine/penalty, and I'll have a chance to pay it then. She said that they appreciate that folk do sometimes forget due to things happening in life, or losing licences in a house move, holidays etc etc.
Googling this, it seems that I could be looking at extra points and a larger fine, contrary to the advice the woman at the local court gave me. Does anyone have any experience of this situation or similar? I could mail my licence home, but living myself it would be a bit of a chew. It would need to go to my parents, who'd need to go to mine to find the penalty slip, send it on. I'd probably run out of time given that there are no more flights for mail off the rig until Friday now!
So does the woman's advice sound reasonable, or am I looking at a higher fine and more points for my troubles?
You could send it back ASAP after you get home, with a letter explaining the delay and also a letter as evidence of same from your boss...
They may re-issue the paperwork in any case, but I'd try this.
If it went to court, there is provision in the magistrates' sentencing guidelines for the penalty after pleading guilty to be the same as the original FPN if administrative difficulties out of your control caused the problem (but you'd get hit with the 'victim surcharge' and possibly a few quid costs as well as the £100 and 3 points). You'd have to evidence this, of course.
All is not yet lost
.
They may re-issue the paperwork in any case, but I'd try this.
If it went to court, there is provision in the magistrates' sentencing guidelines for the penalty after pleading guilty to be the same as the original FPN if administrative difficulties out of your control caused the problem (but you'd get hit with the 'victim surcharge' and possibly a few quid costs as well as the £100 and 3 points). You'd have to evidence this, of course.
All is not yet lost
.Bigends said:
Can you ring the fixed penalty office-they may increase your time to pay
The only number I could find was for the local Procurator Fiscal's office, which is where I managed to speak to the woman mentioned in my OP. She said that there was nobody I could speak to and I would have to let it lapse.rash_decision said:
Bigends said:
Can you ring the fixed penalty office-they may increase your time to pay
The only number I could find was for the local Procurator Fiscal's office, which is where I managed to speak to the woman mentioned in my OP. She said that there was nobody I could speak to and I would have to let it lapse.Bigends said:
Ok,I understand ours down in England will give an extension for the right reasons
Sorry, I should have mentioned me being in Scotland. Things seem to differ here.I'm going to physically present myself on day 29, and hopefully be able to explain myself. That's the best I can do really. I'm hoping by actually making 'some' effort, they will accept my reason for being a day late. Fingers crossed!
I'd still like to hear if anyone has had a similar experience, and was it clear cut, no payment after day 28?
QBee said:
What was the date of the notice (not the offence) and what date will you be back on terra firma? Just want to check your arithmetic....
Offence and penalty were both on Thursday the 23rd of October, and get home on Thursday the 20th of this month. I was stopped by a car rather than receive a NIP in the post.Edited by rash_decision on Wednesday 12th November 21:37
QBee said:
What was the date of the notice (not the offence) and what date will you be back on terra firma? Just want to check your arithmetic....
Offence and penalty were both on Thursday the 23rd of October, and get home on Thursday the 20th of this month. I was stopped by a car rather than receive a NIP in the post.Edited by rash_decision on Wednesday 12th November 21:43
mcflurry said:
Are any of your colleagues going back on land before day 29, that could post it for you?
The first flight my licence could leave on, whether by mail or in someone else's possesion would be tomorrow midday. The bigger problem is that I need to sign the slip accepting the penalty, and this is at home.
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