Speeding fine in Australia whilst on holiday

[matt21]

I've just received a $128 speeding fine from NSW Government for doing 68kph in a 60kph zone in a hire car in Australia. There is no image of the car, but I believe I was driving at the time. I have requested a photo but I think as I do not have an Australian driving licence it does not recognise my name.

Is this enforceable? It arrived in the post to my UK address but was not signed for.

[Google [bot]]

This isn’t the voice of experience, but as I understand it, I can’t see how they can or would enforce it. But, if you were ever to come back to Aus you may have difficulty getting in as you owe a debt to govco. By that time the fine would probably have escalated massively due to non-payment. In short, pay it if there’s any chance of ever wanting to come back.

[Jamescrs]

There's a good chance the hire company will pay it using whatever card you left with them for a deposit if you don't deal with it yourself.

[tex200]

There should be a section where you can reply giving a reasonable excuse/explanation (if you have one) and you post it back to wait and see what happens.

I got one 10 years ago but when I explained It was because I was driving to the nearest hospital in an emergency they cancelled the fine.

[caziques]

It would have been better to ignore it, but never mind.

Just ignore it from now on.

I have lived in NZ for 23 years, managed to pick up a similar "fine" a few years ago whilst visiting Oz, Although i used my UK driving licence the begging letter turned up in NZ eventually. In the bin it went.

I have used the same rental car agency in Australia subsequently, nothing happened - and I have a very rare name.

The fine can't be slapped on a credit card as there is no evidence of the driver.

Does the envelope still have something like "if undelivered within fourteen days return to sender" on the back?

[Old Merc]

Why didn't the hire car company pay the fine and charge it to your credit card??

[Griffith4ever]

Old Merc said:

Why didn't the hire car company pay the fine and charge it to your credit card??

In my experience they don't. They bill you for teh admin of passing your details onto the relevant authorities. It then becomes your problem. They don't care.

Likewise - Aus - I'd bin it. I've binned EU stuff before with no consequence (no poliz waiting for me at immigration)

[caziques]

Old Merc said:

Why didn't the hire car company pay the fine and charge it to your credit card??

Think about it, they aren't allowed to - they have no knowledge of the offence or the driver - you can't charge a credit card just because you feel like it. (Well you can, but it is easy to get reversed).

[Tim the pool man]

caziques said:

Old Merc said:

Why didn't the hire car company pay the fine and charge it to your credit card??

Think about it, they aren't allowed to - they have no knowledge of the offence or the driver - you can't charge a credit card just because you feel like it. (Well you can, but it is easy to get reversed).

I'd be VERY surprised if they didn't charge it. Don't forget this is Australia, where the limits are low and draconically enforced, and exceeding them is far worse than murder!

We also have the law where if the driver can't be identified by the owner the fine automatically passes to the owner.

[Donbot]

It's a £68 fine. If they have evidence and you believe they are correct I'd just pay it.

[98elise]

caziques said:

Old Merc said:

Why didn't the hire car company pay the fine and charge it to your credit card??

Think about it, they aren't allowed to - they have no knowledge of the offence or the driver - you can't charge a credit card just because you feel like it. (Well you can, but it is easy to get reversed).

Surely that would depend on the terms and conditions of the hire. If you agree to pay a sum equal to any fines, then they can legitimately charge your credit car?

[Wanchaiwarrior]

caziques said:

Old Merc said:

Why didn't the hire car company pay the fine and charge it to your credit card??

Think about it, they aren't allowed to - they have no knowledge of the offence or the driver - you can't charge a credit card just because you feel like it. (Well you can, but it is easy to get reversed).

Yes they do know, as the only person who should be driving a hire car is the person who hired it, with license and credit card details on the agreement.
Unless there was another named driver, also with license details shown on hire agreement.

[Double Fault]

For £68 I'd pay up and sleep easy.

[Purosangue]

its not enforceable so don't pay



or if you really feel guilty simply reply back and ask for a photo of the driver so you can identify them

if you feel the need to donate £68 ill have a bottle of talisker storm thanks

[TalarianX]

Old Merc said:

Why didn't the hire car company pay the fine and charge it to your credit card??

I had 2 tickets on my last visit to Aus - first was a stop in SA, officer was extremely friendly given I had interrupted their chippy lunch, whilst sat over the crest of a hill waiting for unsuspecting offenders! When he saw I was from the UK he told me more or less to ignore it unless I was looking to hire again in SA (their systems weren’t connected between states at that time). Ignored it, no rental company involvement, heard nothing since.

The second time was a camera in VIC, unkown to me. That went to the rental company who sent the bill to me with fee added.

[Dave Hedgehog]

caziques said:

The fine can't be slapped on a credit card as there is no evidence of the driver.

i got a penalty charge for not paying a bridge toll in sydney and hertz payed it on my credit card