Time limit for issue of traffic fine

sandy2_2

I hired a car in the UK in May 2010 for 1 week, Yes that was 6 years ago. I have just recieved a letter (6 years later) at my Spanish address saying the hire car company are charging me an administration fee for supplying my address to 'The Authority' who ever they are and I will be receiving the fine shortly (no mention as to how much that will be.) In 2010 I was a Spanish resident using a Spanish driving licence

I was never stopped by Police etc in UK when driving during this period. There is no information on the letter from the hire car company as to what the offence was or when it took place.

Is there a time limit involved here at all or has anyone else experience of this sort of thing? The Hire company also said they would take their fee directly from my credit card account

Help please

Fat_Walt

Most motoring offences are summary only, so will be timed out after six months. What offence are they chasing you for?

Car_54

Apart from any other considerations, won't the credit card details they hold from 2010 be out of date?

worried_jim

Sounds like a car parking scam.

sandy2_2

Fat_Walt wrote: »

Most motoring offences are summary only, so will be timed out after six months. What offence are they chasing you for?

It wasn't stated in the letter, as they say the fine details will follow I suppose it will be in there, but the car hire company office isn't open until Monday

sandy2_2

Car_54 wrote: »

Apart from any other considerations, won't the credit card details they hold from 2010 be out of date?

I have spoken with my credit card company and confirmed this

agrinnall

You're probably OK anyway as May 2010 is more than 6 years ago so the debt (if it really exists) to the hire company would be statute barred now.

Johno100

Does smell like a private parking company invoice, I'd suggest the OP post on the Parking sub-forum or alert their post and have it moved.

sandy2_2

agrinnall wrote: »

You're probably OK anyway as May 2010 is more than 6 years ago so the debt (if it really exists) to the hire company would be statute barred now.

So if the fine is over 6 years old it's statute barred and I won't have to pay?

Richard53

sandy2 wrote: »

So if the fine is over 6 years old it's statute barred and I won't have to pay?

The fine may be stature barred, but wasn't the charge an admin fee for supplying your details to 'The Authority'? I'm not sure if they are time-limited or not.


Whatever, it sounds highly suspicious.

sandy2_2

Thank you everyone for your advice, I contacted Avis this morning ad explained the situation, they said they would investigate. This is their reply


Dear Mrs. Fry,

We are contacting you regarding the rental Exxxxxxxxx

After our phone call this morning and the corresponding investigation we can confirm you the following: the letter and the invoice were sent to you by mistake, due to an error in our administrative system. We have emitted a credit note to cancel this original invoice, no charge has been made so far. The credit note is attached to this email.

On the other hand we have contacted our TrafficOffence Departament to have them check their registers and make the necessary correction.

In case you receive the fine in the meanwhile from the authority, please ignore it, because the re-identification of it is now being handled.

Please accept our apologies for all the inconveniences caused.

In case you need further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us again.