Got a Speeding Ticket? Is Everything Okay once the Fine is Paid?

In Victoria, speeding tickets usually come with a fine, which can be resolved by paying on time. However, when you receive a speeding ticket, do not take it lightly; it must be addressed promptly and properly, or you may face serious legal consequences.

If you receive a ticket, you have the following options:

1. Pay the Fine: You can follow the instructions on the ticket and pay through various methods, including online payment, phone payment, or in person at the post office.

2. Apply for an Internal Review: If you believe the ticket is incorrect or you were unaware of the ticket’s existence, you can submit a request for an internal review. However, this option does not apply to serious speeding (speeding over 25 km/h).

3. Nominate Another Driver: If someone else was driving the vehicle at the time, you must nominate the actual driver within 28 days; otherwise, your license may be suspended or revoked. When nominating, you need to provide specific information about the driver to prove you were not the one committing the offence. Additionally, if your vehicle or license plates were stolen, or if you have sold the vehicle, you can report these circumstances to avoid undue responsibility.

4. Choose to Go to Court: If you have significant objections to the ticket or believe it is unjust, you can request to have the case submitted to court via Fines Victoria. We strongly recommend seeking legal advice to understand all legal consequences.

What Are the Consequences of Not Paying the Fine on Time?

If you do not pay the fine by the deadline, Fines Victoria may not only increase the penalty but the court may also issue a warrant for your arrest. Therefore, regardless of whether you agree with the ticket, it is crucial to take action promptly or seek legal advice to avoid additional costs and legal risks due to delays.

Under What Circumstances Can You Apply for an Internal Review?

In certain situations, you can apply for an internal review of the ticket, especially when you question its legality or accuracy.

If you were unaware of speeding and did not receive notice of the ticket, you can apply for an internal review. However, the conditions for this are limited. For instance, if you were stopped by the police and received the ticket on the spot, you cannot claim unawareness as a reason for an internal review.

If your speeding was not severe (e.g., not exceeding the speed limit by 25 km/h) and you were unaware of your speeding, or if there are any special circumstances, you may have the opportunity to request the cancellation of the ticket through a review.

What Are the Consequences of Serious Speeding?

If you are charged with serious speeding, you may face the following consequences:

The penalties for serious speeding differ greatly from minor speeding. Serious speeding refers to exceeding the speed limit by more than 25 km/h or driving at speeds over 130 km/h.

• License Suspension: The specific duration of suspension depends on the severity of the speeding. Serious speeding may result in a suspension of at least 3 months, impacting your daily life and work.
• Vehicle Impoundment: The police have the authority to impound your vehicle or take other measures, such as locking the vehicle or removing the license plates, making the vehicle temporarily unusable.
• Automatic Conviction: For particularly severe speeding offence, you may trigger an “automatic conviction” process. This means you will have a criminal record, which can have negative effects on future employment, immigration, and professional license applications. In certain high-risk fields, such as healthcare, law, and finance, a criminal record could disrupt your professional career.

If you are charged with severe speeding or other traffic offence,  please contact us immediately. Our Traffic Offence Lawyers will answer your legal questions and provide you with professional strategies to safeguard your rights.