Common queries

Published on 18 Oct 2022

Do you have a question about your fine? Here are answers to our most common queries.
 

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.
  

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.
 

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.
  

My vehicle was sold or stolen / my number plates were stolen or 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 got a very large fine for my company vehicle. Why is this company fine so high?

The larger company fine is to encourage companies to tell us who was driving, so that demerit points can be applied to the driver's licence. This process is called nominating the driver.

Once you nominate the driver, the fine will be re-issued to the driver, with a new due date, and the fine payable will be at the much lower individual rate. See Nominate the responsible driver for more information.

You should nominate the driver as soon as possible. When you complete the nomination form, we will ask you to enter the driver's details and your own details.
   

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.
  

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.

Do you have other questions or concerns?

See Infringement FAQs for answers to more questions. You can also visit Your options and Infringement fines for more information. If your fine was issued at court, see Court fines and Court fine FAQs. If you need further assistance, there is additional support available to those eligible, including support for victim survivors of family violence and for those who have special circumstances.

You can also submit your enquiry online and we will respond as soon as we can.