Spinal
MB Enthusiast
- Joined
- Sep 14, 2004
- Messages
- 4,806
- Location
- between Uxbridge and the Alps
- Car
- x254, G350, Duster, S320, Mach1, 900ss and a few more
In the EU, if you're driving a rental vehicle then you're pretty much stuffed because the local law enforcement serve whatever notice is required on the rental company and fine them as keeper of the vehicle. They know who you are and so charge the credit card you used to rent the vehicle. If you're driving your own UK-registered vehicle then things are different (for camera-detected offences, anyway).
I don't remember the precise details of how it all works, but the gist of it is that DVLA will not (currently) provide Registered Keeper details to organisations / individuals outside the UK. Some Italian provinces sidestep this by using a UK-registered company to make the enquiry of the DVLA which they then use to chase fines for infractions in Italy (ZTL's predominately). AFAIK, Italy is the only country that does this.
Switzerland classify moving traffic violations, and in particular the penalties for such, in a particular way that means the UK authorities are obliged to provide details under international law if fines are unpaid and to take sanctions against the individual if payment isn't subsequently made. AFAIK, Switzerland are the only country that does this.
For all other countries, it's highly unlikely that you will be pursued for a simple camera-detected speeding infraction, but be aware that many countries maintain databases of outstanding fines against foreign vehicle index numbers, so a return visit in the same vehicle (within, say, 6 months) could turn out to be uncomfortable/expensive.
Most informative thanks. Having had both rental and own vehicles, I can provice testimony to Rome using UK registered companies to chase alleged ZTL tickets.
I've not always been in a position to reply to these, and they never pursued it further. That said, I do change cars more often than suits...
As to outstanding fines, that has worried me slightly - especially as I have a personalised plate which has been on 7-8 cars now... I do wonder how they handle change of owners/vehicles... My guess is that as you have to carry a V5 when in France, you could use that as evidence it wasn't your car... but how do you justify that your estranged other half was driving at the time, and you had nothing to do with it?
I know "les flic" (French police) try to stop you at the border for speeding fines. Not a pleasant wakeup call (especially after having driven 10-odd hours, and realising if it drags on you will lose the channel-train). They also expect payment on the spot. That said, they are doing their jobs, and at that point you allegedly did break the law in that country, so it's fair game I guess.
M.
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