Answers to common questions about paying and dealing with your infringement fines.

If your fine was issued by a court, see Court fine FAQs.

• I'm the vehicle owner but I wasn't driving when the fine was issued. What should I do?

  You need to tell us who was driving. This is called nominating the driver. You should nominate as soon as possible – for some fines, you need to nominate within 28 days to avoid licence cancellation.

  When you nominate, the fine will be re-issued in the driver's name, with a new due date. When you complete the nomination form, we will ask you for the driver's details and we will also ask for your own details. See Nominate the responsible driver for more information.

• I don't think this fine is fair. What are my options?

  If you believe there is a valid reason why you should not have to pay the fine, you may be able to request a review. Under the law, reviews can only be submitted under certain grounds. If you are eligible, your review may take some time to process, and you will receive a response by post.

  If your fine has not yet progressed to a Notice of Final Demand, you may also choose to take your fine to court.

• I can't afford to pay this fine right now. What can I do?

  You can ask to pay your fine by instalments, including deducting from your Centrelink payments. You can also ask for more time to pay. If you're already paying other fines by instalments, you can apply for a payment arrangement using your new fine details, and combine all fines together - see below.

  If eligible, you may be able to apply to our work and development permit and reduce your fine debt by participating in certain activities and treatment under the supervision of an accredited sponsor.

  Remember that when a fine is issued to you, you must do something about it. If you do nothing, the cost of the fine will continue to go up, and an Enforcement Warrant may be issued. Once an Enforcement Warrant is issued, a sheriff's officer has the power to search for and seize property or your vehicle to sell, wheel clamp or detain your vehicle, or arrest you so that you are brought before a magistrate.

• I have an excellent driving record and hardly ever get fined. Is there anything I can do?

  If you have a good driving record, Victoria Police has the discretion, upon review, to withdraw a traffic infringement and issue an official warning instead. Certain requirements and criteria apply.

  For more details and information on how to apply, visit the Victoria Police website.

• What should I do if my driver licence or vehicle registration has been suspended?

  The Director, Fines Victoria has directed VicRoads to suspend your driver licence and/or vehicle registration because you have outstanding fines.

  You must deal with your fine(s) for the suspension to be lifted. Your options include:

  • pay the outstanding amount in full
  • apply to pay by instalments
  • apply for a review (enforcement review)
  • apply for the Work and Development Permit, if eligible
  • apply for the Family Violence Scheme, if eligible

  If you need assistance with your options, contact Fines Victoria.

  For more information on driver and vehicle sanctions please see Driver and Vehicle Sanctions Information Sheet (PDF).

• What should I do if I have received a ‘Suspension of Driver Licence and/or Vehicle Registration Pending' letter?

  You have received this letter from the Director, Fines Victoria, because you have outstanding fines.

  You must take immediate action to deal with your fines to prevent the suspension of your driver licence and/or vehicle registration.

  • pay the outstanding amount in full
  • apply to pay by instalments
  • apply for a review (enforcement review)
  • apply for the Work and Development Permit, if eligible
  • apply for the Family Violence Scheme, if eligible

  If you need assistance with your options, contact Fines Victoria.

  For more information on driver and vehicle sanctions please see Driver and Vehicle Sanctions Information Sheet (PDF).

• I've lost my fine. What should I do?

  If you have another open fine in your name, you can go to Your fines and use the details of that other fine to log in. You should be able to see your missing fine in there alongside your other fine. When you find it, note down the fine's obligation number and offence date, as you will need these to deal with the fine.

  If you don't have any other fines, or you can't find the lost fine, you can contact us. We will ask you some questions to identify you and then help you to deal with the fine.

• I need help to deal with this fine. What support is available?

  There are Special Circumstances, Work and Development Permit and Prison Program schemes available to those who are eligible.

  Fines Victoria's Family Violence Scheme helps victim survivors with fines if there is a link between the family violence and their fines.

  Further support may also be available if you need legal and financial assistance, and translated information about the fines system is available in 15 languages.

• I already have a payment arrangement and I have received a new fine. How can I add this new fine to my payment arrangement?

  Complete and submit the pay by instalment form, using the details for your new fine to log in and apply.

  As part of the form completion process, the form will display your other fines on your existing payment arrangement – leave them there; do not exclude them from this new application.

  We will then cancel the old payment arrangement and set up a new payment arrangement that includes the new fine and your earlier fines. We will confirm the new details with you by post.

• Why has my company vehicle received a traffic fine for more than $3,000?

  For some offences, company vehicles are issued with a body corporate infringement notice, which is much larger than the fine given to a person. This larger amount is to encourage companies to nominate the responsible driver, so that demerit points can be applied to their licence.

  As companies do not have a driver licence on which to apply demerit points, an authorised officer of the company must therefore nominate the person who was driving.

  If the nomination is accepted, that driver will receive a new fine in their name, the demerit points will be applied to their licence and the amount payable will be at the individual rate and should be significantly lower.

  You should nominate the driver quickly. Once the fine progresses to Notice of Final Demand stage, it is too late to nominate the driver and the company will therefore be liable for the fine. Companies failing to nominate a driver three or more times within a 12 month period may be fined more than $20,000.

  See nominations for more information.

• I got a Notice of Final Demand but I did not get the earlier Infringement Notice or Penalty Reminder Notice.

  If you hold a driver licence or permit or have a vehicle registered in your name, you are required by law to update your address with VicRoads if you move house. If you did not do this, your fine will have been posted to your old address. Under the law, fines sent to the vehicle's registered address are deemed served, even if you no longer live there.

  If your fine is for a camera-detected or tolling offence and you were unaware of the fine because you did not receive the earlier notices, you can apply for an Infringement Extension with the Magistrates' Court. You must apply within 14 days of becoming aware of the fine. If granted, an extension will give you more time to deal with your fine.

  If your registered VicRoads address is correct but you still did not receive the earlier notices, you may also be able to request a review and ask us to waive the additional fees that were added to your fine.

  If your fine has progressed to a Notice of Final Demand and you weren't driving the vehicle when the fine was issued, it is now too late to nominate the person who was driving.

• An officer gave my fine to me on the spot and there's no obligation number on it. How can I pay the fine?

  If you would like to pay your fine by an option not shown on the fine, such as BPay, and you need an obligation number, you can call Fines Victoria on 03 9200 8111. Once the fine has been entered into our system (please allow 2 business days), we should be able to provide you with the obligation number.

• I sold my vehicle but I later received a fine for it. What can I do?

  If you, as the seller, receive traffic infringements for your previous vehicle in your name, you will need to submit a Nomination stating that you are no longer the owner of the vehicle. You will need to include details of the buyer and proof that you transferred the registration to the buyer.

  If you have sold your car, both you and the buyer are required to provide information to VicRoads for the registration to be transferred successfully. You may be liable for any traffic offences that the buyer incurs if the registration is not transferred.

  Further information about the transferring of registration is available at VicRoads.

• My vehicle was stolen, or my number plates were stolen/copied, when the fine was issued. What should I do?

  Complete the nomination form, select the option to tell us who was in control of the vehicle and then tell us what has happened.

  You should also upload a copy of the relevant transfer of ownership form or the police report.

• I sold my vehicle in another state, and I have now received a fine for it. What should I do?

  If you, as the seller, receive traffic infringements for your previous vehicle in your name, you will need to submit a Nomination stating that you were not driving and are no longer the owner of the vehicle. You will need to include details of the buyer and proof that you transferred the registration to the buyer.

  If your car was registered in Victoria and you sold it in another state, you should also notify VicRoads of the transfer of the vehicle. On the VicRoads website, see: Transfer a vehicle to/from interstate for more information and to download a transfer form.

• I wasn't driving at the time of the offence but it's now too late to nominate. Is there anything I can do?

  If you need to nominate the responsible driver for your fine, you must do it early – otherwise you will be liable for the fine and demerit points may be applied to your licence.

  Once the fine progresses to Notice of Final Demand stage, it is too late to nominate, except in limited circumstances. See Nominate the responsible driver  to learn more.

• I have paid my fine - but I wasn't driving and I should have nominated the responsible driver. What can I do?

  Fines should not be paid if you intend to nominate the responsible driver. This is stated on all infringement notices. Once you nominate, a new notice will be issued to the nominated driver for them to pay.

  If you have paid but you need to nominate, you can download and complete an Infringement Nomination form (for fines with a Victoria Police logo) or Nomination form (for fines with a Transport Safety Victoria logo).

• Why have I received a Failure to Vote fine from Fines Victoria?

  If you failed to vote in the 2020 local government elections, and you did not resolve your fine with the Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC), a Notice of Final Demand is issued by Fines Victoria.

  What steps were taken to inform me about my fine?

  After you did not vote, an Apparent Failure to Vote Notice would have been sent to you by the VEC, to give you the opportunity to explain.

  After this notice was sent, if:

  • a response to the Apparent Failure to Vote Notice was not received from you, or
  • your excuse for not voting was not considered valid or sufficient

  an Infringement Notice would then have been issued to you.

  If you did not pay this Infringement Notice, a Penalty Reminder Notice was issued.

  If you still did not pay, the fine was then registered with Fines Victoria. A Notice of Final Demand has now been issued to you.

  What are my options?

  If you have received a Notice of Final Demand, you can:

  • pay the fine
  • apply for a payment extension
  • apply to pay by instalments
  • request a review if you believe the fine was unfairly issued or there is a valid reason why it should be withdrawn

  For more information, see Notice of Final Demand.

  Can I deal directly with the VEC, instead of Fines Victoria?

  No – once a matter is registered with Fines Victoria, the VEC cannot consider requests for payment plans, payment extensions or reviews.

  For more information regarding fines issued for this election, please visit Victorian Electoral Commission.

• Will my fine ever expire?

  No. Once a fine is registered with Fines Victoria it does not expire and can be enforced at any time.

• I've been getting fines at my address, but the person doesn't live here.

  If you received a fine that does not belong to anyone living at your address, you do not need to pay the fine and you will not be held liable for it. The person whose name is on the fine is the one responsible.

  You can send the fine back in the post, marked 'Return to Sender'. If Fines Victoria can establish an updated address, records will be amended accordingly.

  The law requires drivers to update their address with VicRoads within 14 days of changing their address.

• How does Fines Victoria handle my personal information?

  Fines Victoria collects personal and health information necessary to perform its functions of the administration and enforcement of fines.

  Information on our privacy responsibilities is available on the Department of Justice and Community Safety’s website.

  For information on how personal information is submitted via this website, please refer to the Fines Victoria website privacy statement.

• How can I make a complaint about a breach of privacy?

  You can submit a complaint about a suspected breach of privacy on this website at Fines.vic.gov.au/Feedback.

• Why is Fines Victoria contacting me by phone when I have not provided my consent to be contacted?

  If you have a fine that has not been resolved by the due date, Fines Victoria may contact you through a phone call or SMS. We do this to help you resolve your fine before it progresses, more fees are added, and it becomes more serious.

• How can I get information on fines issued to deceased person?

  Information on a deceased person's infringements can only be provided to the person listed as the next of kin on the death certificate or to the executor of the estate.

  The next of kin or executor of the estate can contact us to get information on any outstanding fines with Fines Victoria.

• What should I do if a fine has been issued to a person for an offence that happened either before or after they died?

  Please send a copy of the death certificate (or coroner's report if applicable) to us, along with the details of the fine(s).

  If you don’t have a death certificate or coroner’s report, you can write to us with as much information as you have.

  Submit online

  Use our Online Enquiry form – select "Submit an enquiry about..." then select "The person named on the notice has died'.

  Submit by post

  Send to:

  Fines Victoria
  GPO Box 1916
  MELBOURNE VIC 3001

  Once we receive the death certificate or coroner's report, we will investigate the fines that are with Fines Victoria for the deceased person.

  If the date of the offence(s) happened on or before the date of their death, any fines issued to the deceased person will be closed.

  If the date of the offence(s) occurred after the date of death, a nomination statement needs to be completed by the next of kin or executor of the estate.

• What do I do if I want to nominate a fine issued to a person who has died?

  A nomination statement should be completed, nominating the person who was driving the vehicle at the time of the offence. The nomination statement must be completed by the next of kin or the executor of the estate.

  A certified copy of your authority to represent the deceased person (for example, a death certificate listing you as next of kin, or evidence that you are the executor of the deceased's estate) should be provided with the nomination statement.

  • If you have an Infringement Notice or Penalty Reminder Notice with a Victoria Police logo, download the  Nomination Statement, follow the steps to complete it.
  • If you have an Infringement Notice or Penalty Reminder Notice with a Transport Safety Victoria logo, download the TSV Nomination Statement, follow the steps to complete it.

  You can submit the nomination statement and supporting documents though our Online Enquiry form or by post to:

  Fines Victoria
  GPO Box 1916
  MELBOURNE VIC 3001

• What should I do if a vehicle is registered in the name of the deceased person?

  You should contact VicRoads as soon as possible to update the vehicle registration records.

• I have received a fine for speeding. Can I see a copy of the camera test certificate?

  You can find a copy of the camera test certificate for fixed cameras on the Victorian Government's Cameras Save Lives website.

• How do fixed, mobile and point-to-point cameras work?

  Victoria's road safety camera system includes:

  • fixed cameras (permanently positioned at approved locations)
  • mobile cameras (devices that are rotated across approved mobile camera locations)
  • point-to-point cameras

  You can find out more about these cameras on the Cameras Save Lives website.

• How often are fixed/mobile/point-to-point road safety cameras tested?

  All Victorian fixed digital, mobile, and point-to-point road safety cameras are tested annually by an independent testing officer in accordance with the Road Safety (General) Regulations 2019.

  You can find out more about the testing of cameras on the Cameras Save Lives website.

• How are red light offences detected?

  Some fixed road safety cameras enforce red light offences only, while others detect both red light and speed.

  In-road sensors are used at an intersection to detect if a vehicle crosses over the stop line against a red traffic light. This triggers the camera to take an image.

  The camera is designed to take 2 images of an offending vehicle that combine to prove that it:

  • entered the intersection after the light turned red, and
  • continued through the intersection against the red light.

  The camera also captures the time elapsed between a traffic light turning red and the vehicle entering the intersection.

  If a light turns red while you are already in the intersection, you will not be issued a fine (the camera is only activated by a vehicle driving over the stop line after the light has turned red).

  You can find out more on the Cameras Save Lives website.

• There are two vehicles in my fine photo. How do you know the person speeding was me?

  Before a speeding fine is issued, each offence is scrutinised thoroughly.

  Fixed road safety cameras can monitor multiple lanes of traffic with the use of sensors embedded into the road surface or radar technology.

  In addition, offences are reviewed by two qualified independent officers, who must agree that an offence has occurred for the matter to proceed. The fine is only issued once Victoria Police has then assessed the matter and is satisfied that an offence has occurred.

  You can find out more about the speed verification process on the  Cameras Save Lives website.

• I have a speeding fine on the Hume Freeway or Peninsula Link. Why is there more than one time-stamp on my offence photo?

  Both the Hume Freeway and Peninsula Link camera systems enforce point-to-point (calculated average speed) and instantaneous speed (the speed as detected at the location of a camera).

  If you have more than one time-stamp on your offence photo, it is likely you were fined because your average speed between two cameras on the freeway was higher than the speed limit.

  The point-to-point cameras on the Hume Freeway and Peninsula Link determine vehicle speed by taking time-stamped, digital photographs of all vehicles and calculating the time taken to travel between one camera site and the next. The average speed is calculated by distance divided by time. If the average speed exceeds the speed limit, a fine is issued.

  The distance between two road safety camera sites is measured with accuracy, using licensed surveyor's survey certificates. You can find a copy of the survey certificates on the Victorian Government's Cameras Save Lives website.

• I have a fine for driving through a red light. Why are the time stamps the same?

  Red light offence photographs of alleged offences can have the same time stamps if the photographs are taken less than one second apart.

  In this instance, the first photograph is taken when a vehicle enters an intersection after the light has turned red. The second is taken when a vehicle reaches a designated point in the intersection. If the second photograph is triggered less than one second after the first, the two images can display the same time stamp.

  Vehicles travelling faster through a red light are more likely to have the same time stamps on the fine photo.

• I saw a camera flash but I was not speeding. Did I get fined?

  If you see a road safety camera flash and you are certain you were not speeding or driving against a red light or red arrow, do not panic.

  There are a couple of reasons why the camera may have flashed:

  • it may be in a testing phase
  • it may have been capturing an offence in another lane.

  You can find out more at the Cameras Save Lives website.

• How can I suggest a road safety camera location?

  If you would like to suggest a location for a fixed road safety camera, you can submit a Suggest a Camera Location online form to the Fixed Camera Site Selection Committee (Committee).

  The Committee is chaired by Victoria Police and has representatives from Department of Transport and the Department of Justice and Community Safety.

  When considering camera requests, the Committee also considers whether other road safety measures may be more suitable. This includes:

  • mobile camera enforcement
  • increased police presence via Highway Patrol
  • additional signage at the location
  • road maintenance works.
• Can you tell me how many demerit points I have on my licence?

  To see how many demerit points are recorded on your licence, visit Check driver history on the VicRoads website.

• What happens if I am bankrupt?

  What is bankruptcy?

  Bankruptcy is a legal process where a person is declared unable to pay their debts. When a person is declared bankrupt, a person (known as a trustee) is appointed to manage their bankruptcy. The law of bankruptcy is governed by the Bankruptcy Act 1966 (Cth).

  How long is a person bankrupt for?

  A person is normally bankrupt for three years and one day.

  Which fines can the Director of Fines Victoria enforce?

  The Director can enforce:

  • registered infringement fines with an offence date after the person became bankrupt and that are at the enforcement and warrant stage of the Infringement Fines Lifecycle (for example, a person who was declared bankrupt on 25 March 2020 and received an infringement on 3 April 2020), and
  • fines or orders imposed by a court and that are at the enforcement and warrant stage of the Court Fines Lifecycle (for example, court fines or enforcement hearing orders).

  The bankrupt person is responsible for these fines and retains the right to deal with them. If these fines are outstanding, the Director can enforce the fines including by applying sanctions (for example, driver and vehicle sanctions) or by applying for a warrant.

  Which fines cannot be enforced by the Director?

  The Director cannot enforce registered infringement fines with an offence date before the person became bankrupt and that are at the enforcement and warrant stage of the Infringement Fines Life Cycle (for example, a person who was declared bankrupt on 25 March 2020 and received a speeding fine on 3 April 2019).

  The Director cannot take steps to enforce these fines, however the bankrupt person retains the right to deal with them if they want to. The bankrupt should seek advice from a financial counsellor or a lawyer before making arrangements to pay fines that cannot be enforced by the Director.

  Which fines can enforcement agencies enforce?

  Enforcement agencies can enforce infringement fines that are not registered with the Director, such as by taking the person to court or taking other action. The bankrupt is responsible for these fines and retains the right to deal with them. These are fines at the infringement stage of the Infringement Fines Lifecycle.

  The bankrupt should contact the enforcement agency and advise them of their bankruptcy as soon as possible.

  Who can notify Fines Victoria that a person is bankrupt?

  The person (or their authorised representative), the Australian Financial Security Authority (AFSA) or the bankrupt's trustee in bankruptcy can notify Fines Victoria.

  What information should be given to Fines Victoria?

  The person making the notification must provide Fines Victoria with:

  • the bankrupt's name and address
  • the bankrupt's bankruptcy number
  • the date bankruptcy commenced
  • the bankrupt's date of birth
  • the name and contact details of the trustee in bankruptcy.

  If this information is not provided, there could be some delays with processing the notification.

  What will Fines Victoria do when they receive a bankruptcy notification?

  Fines Victoria will:

  • identify the fines that are subject to the person's bankruptcy, and
  • send a letter to the bankrupt person informing them of all the fines that will not be enforced by the Director (that is, registered infringement fines with an offence date before the person became bankrupt), and
  • suspend enforcement of the fines that are subject to the person's bankruptcy so that they cannot be enforced during the bankruptcy period.

  When will these notifications be actioned?

  If all the bankruptcy information is provided, the notification will usually be actioned within three business days.

  Will enforcement action stop when you receive a bankruptcy notification?

  Yes, the fines (subject to bankruptcy) will not be enforced during the person's term of bankruptcy.

  Can enforcement agencies commence proceedings or collect a debt that is already registered with the Director of Fines Victoria?

  No, registered fines sit with the Director and cannot be enforced by the enforcement agency.

  Can enforcement agencies de-register a fine once it is registered with the Director of Fines Victoria?

  Enforcement agencies cannot deregister a fine, however they can ask the Director to refer the fine back to them. The Director will only refer a fine back to the enforcement agency if the Director considers it is appropriate to do so.

  Will the Director consider a debt agreement as an alternative to bankruptcy?

  The Director will consider any debt agreement provided by a person as an alternative to bankruptcy.

  If a person enters into a debt agreement and the Director of Fines Victoria is listed on the agreement, the Director will honour the terms of the debt agreement, provided that unpaid fines are treated substantially the same as any other unsecured creditor.

  If the debt agreement is subsequently terminated, enforcement action will continue for any unpaid fines.

  Will the Director consider a personal insolvency agreement as an alternative to bankruptcy?

  The Director will consider a personal insolvency agreement (PIA) under the Bankruptcy Act if it is accepted by a majority of creditors.

  If a person has a PIA (as described above) they will be treated similarly to a bankrupt. If the PIA is subsequently terminated, enforcement action will continue for any unpaid fines.

  Will the Director be taking steps to prove a fine debt?

  It is important to note that while bankruptcy may lead to certain infringement fines being unenforceable under the Fines Reform Act 2014 (Vic), the Director may seek to recover these fines by proving the debt under the Bankruptcy Act.

  It is not proposed that the Director would routinely seek to prove fine debts. There may however be cases where the Director considers it appropriate to do so.

  What will happen at the end of the person's bankruptcy period?

  AFSA, the bankrupt or their representative are advised to notify the Director when the bankruptcy period ends so the fines can be written off. They should also provide supporting information so these notifications can be processed quickly.

  When the Director becomes aware that the person's bankruptcy period has ended, infringement fines registered with the Director with an offence date before the person became bankrupt will no longer be enforceable.

  Can a bankrupt person still deal with their fines?

  Yes, a bankrupt person can still deal with their fines by:

  • paying in full
  • applying for a payment arrangement or time to pay order
  • submitting a nomination statement
  • applying for an internal review or enforcement review
  • applying for a work and development permit through a sponsor
  • applying under the family violence scheme.

  There may be some eligibility criteria. Visit Family Violence Scheme for more information on these options.

  Before taking any of the actions listed above, the bankrupt person may wish to consider whether it is likely that the Director or enforcement agency will enforce the fine, noting that:

  • infringement fines registered with the Director (with an offence date before the date of bankruptcy) will not be enforced during and after the person's bankruptcy period.
  • court fines, infringement fines not registered with the Director and infringement fines registered with the Director (with an offence date after bankruptcy) will be enforced during and after the person's bankruptcy period.

  Who can a bankrupt person contact for more information?

  To learn more about bankruptcy or to get financial advice and information, visit:

  • Money Smart
  • Australian Financial Security Authority
  • Consumer Action Law Centre
  • National Debt Helpline.

  For legal advice about specific circumstances, visit Federation of Community Legal Centres to find a local community legal centre or visit Consumer Action Law Centre for legal help.

  For general information on how bankruptcy operates under the Fines Reform Act, please call (03) 9200 8222 between 8am and 6pm weekdays, except public holidays.