Traffic infringement in Spain

[karen blancfield]

Asking for a friend, clearly….. at what point would you pay a fine for exceeding speed limit by 17kph? Hire car company added €40 to the bill, queried and now have a copy of a speeding fine. The plan is to wait for Spanish authorities to send the fine.

 

[RooFlyer]

Given the postal service is very unreliable, the Spanish mail may never arrive. It 'didn't' when this happened to me, but about 7 years ago, now.

 

[karen blancfield]

Given the postal service is very unreliable, the Spanish mail may never arrive. It 'didn't' when this happened to me, but about 7 years ago, now.

Gosh yes and now the mail deliveries are being reduced even further, could be a long wait

 

[RooFlyer]

... in which case the car rental firm may charge your CC in the meanwhile - just challenge it with the card issuer, saying you have asked for evidence of the infringement (photo etc), and nothing forthcoming.

 

[anyonebutqantas]

I supposedly got a fine in France almost 6 months ago but still haven't received it in the mail.

 

[karen blancfield]

... in which case the car rental firm may charge your CC in the meanwhile - just challenge it with the card issuer, saying you have asked for evidence of the infringement (photo etc), and nothing forthcoming.

We’ve been charged €40 by car company and we don’t mind paying really. They’ve provided photo evidence! Autoeurope, who we usually rent through, have been very efficient in chasing it up. Will see how long it takes for mail to reach the outback!

 

[kpc]

I was tempted not to pay a toll non payment + hire car company fee + late fees for a past trip to Portugal. As I thought I would one day be hiring a car and driving again in Portugal, I paid so there would be no issues down the track.

 

[andye]

I got 2 infringements in London recently (24 & 26 in 20mph zones, cameras are everywhere) . Car company charged GBP68 each for forwarding to me. Have returned forms to UK. Suspect will end up getting the fines as well but may get a speed awareness course (to take place in middle of night)

 

[Cossie]

Got one in Germany last year, letter from car hire company saying they had sent my details to the authorities and charged me €30 for the privilege.
Waited for letter from them, nearly 18 months later, I still haven’t got anything in the post.
I was a bit concerned when we rented a car in Frankfurt back in May as it was within 12 months, different company though. No problems so far.

 

[karen blancfield]

Got one in Germany last year, letter from car hire company saying they had sent my details to the authorities and charged me €30 for the privilege.
Waited for letter from them, nearly 18 months later, I still haven’t got anything in the post.
I was a bit concerned when we rented a car in Frankfurt back in May as it was within 12 months, different company though. No problems so far.

That’s what I’m anticipating really. We get so little mail that it will be a shock to find an envelope in our mailbox!

 

[marki]

Got one in Germany last year, letter from car hire company saying they had sent my details to the authorities and charged me €30 for the privilege.
Waited for letter from them, nearly 18 months later, I still haven’t got anything in the post.
I was a bit concerned when we rented a car in Frankfurt back in May as it was within 12 months, different company though. No problems so far.

Yep this happened to me. So many parking tickets has been avoided this way by challenging the charge. Never had any problems after that. Nobody chases this up and the fine may be as high as the processing fee from the rental company.

 

[tgh]

Pre covid, Avis advised and charged a handling fee for a speeding fine in the Paris region.. nothing ever came of it.
Irc hearing somewhere that they don't bother with overseas fines as they are more hassle than they are worth

 

[Cossie]

I’ve had a couple in Germany, all in the same area, south of Berlin. First time my cc was charged for them proving details, then I did get a letter, the fine was about €25, but it had to sent via the bank, and that bank fee was more than the fine.
Next time my cc was docked by the hire company, they charged me a fee and also paid the fine which of course came of my cc as well.

I have to add to my previous post, if I had received an infringement letter this last time, I would have paid it.

 

[karen blancfield]

I’ve had a couple in Germany, all in the same area, south of Berlin. First time my cc was charged for them proving details, then I did get a letter, the fine was about €25, but it had to sent via the bank, and that bank fee was more than the fine.
Next time my cc was docked by the hire company, they charged me a fee and also paid the fine which of course came of my cc as well.

I have to add to my previous post, if I had received an infringement letter this last time, I would have paid it.

We haven’t actually received the official letter, just a copy from the car company. So far they’ve deducted €40 admin fee. Will keep an eye out in case they also pay the €100 fine. Would be a bit cross as there’s a 50% reduction if you pay in 20 days. Of course it’s closer to 50 days and we only know about it because we chased it.

It’s really not a lot! I’m beginning to feel like a whinging tourist now!

 

[RooFlyer]

It’s really not a lot! I’m beginning to feel like a whinging tourist now!

I wouldn't be. If it was a traffic fine, with a photo - fair enough. But I'm damned if I'm going to pay the extortion of the hire car company on top, which is way beyond what it would cost them.

 

[Happy Dude]

The rental companies get away with quite a lot in these instances when they have your CC details. For a USD$0.60 toll, I got charged USD$10, plus the toll. That's a pretty expensive number-plate matching fee!

 

[TheRealTMA]

Generally one must pay traffic fines. But not sure in other jurisdictions, but FWIW Italian law (European law?) says you must receive the actual infringement notice to your registered address within 360 days of the infringement. Outside that, you are not liable. You still get hit with the outrageous charge from the hire car company to supply your details through. Not much one can do about that since it’s part of the rental agreement that you are liable for the fee.

I got an unwarranted ZTL infringement in Brescia a few years back (hotel had not registered the vehicle) some 367 days after date and replied and refused to pay according to law.

 

[marki]

Pre covid, Avis advised and charged a handling fee for a speeding fine in the Paris region.. nothing ever came of it.
Irc hearing somewhere that they don't bother with overseas fines as they are more hassle than they are worth

We count on this and somewhat of a Maverick whilst overseas-but this comes to a solid end when physically stopped. And a fine is asked on the spot.

 

[marki]

Generally one must pay traffic fines. But not sure in other jurisdictions, but FWIW Italian law (European law?) says you must receive the actual infringement notice to your registered address within 360 days of the infringement.

I am very happy that despite being lead footed on occasions the speed zones change suddenly on can pick up a few infringement’s but so far nothing has been paid. Reasons as above. I don’t condone this type of action but realistically their citizens in Australia have the same benefits.

Post automatically merged: Dec 9, 2023

Just the messenger don’t shoot me.

 

[Guvner]

Slightly OT but when I hire a car overseas I use a different CC to my everyday one. Once I've returned the car and any invoice is settled on the day, I block the CC on my phone app to stop "mysterious" charges being applied at a later date. If I need to use it again I'll unblock it and then re-block it later. The chances of a previous 'mysterious" charge going through in that short period are pretty minimal. I'll wait until I get a letter.