Portuguese Toll fine

Stefano123

Hey everyone,

I'm hoping someone can give me some advice on how to resolve an issue that's been going on for months now. I recently went on a work trip to Portugal and hired a car for transportation. When I picked up the car, I was informed that I would need to pay tolls for my journey, which I did. The outward journey caused no problem. However, when I returned the car and tried to go through the toll road, the barriers never opened. I pressed the intercom and was told I needed to pay 90 EURO for non payment. I explained that I had paid at the car hire centre and I didn't have that money on me and eventually, I was let through. I informed the car hire place of the issue on the return journey, and they assured me there as nothing to worry about and that they would sort it there end.

Now, months later, I'm still being pursued for this payment with seemingly no way to appeal. I'm not sure what to do, and I'm hoping someone has some advice or suggestions on how to get rid of this issue.

Has anyone else experienced a similar situation when renting a car in Portugal? Does anyone have any experience with toll roads in Portugal or with resolving issues with car hire companies? Any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you in advance!

ellenvan

This will not be much use to you - but when we hire in Algarve the car hire firm ask do you want a transponder. This then beeps when you go through a toll but no physical barriers. You then settle up the bill through your credit card bill at the end of the hire. If you have not used any toll roads you are not charged for transponder.
We also use Zest UK based sort of car rental brokers. They sort out any problems with the car hire company.

user1977

Stefano123 said:

Now, months later, I'm still being pursued for this payment with seemingly no way to appeal.

"Pursued" by whom, and how? It isn't going to be worthwhile for someone in Portugal to take legal action to recover 90 Euros from somebody in the UK.

Grey_Critic

I was reading a few days ago that the EU wants traffic violations/penalties to apply and be recognised cross border. It was also suggested that the driving test be standardised throughout the EU.

Just imagine you go on holiday and get banned whilst there

Cloth_of_Gold

user1977 said:

Stefano123 said:

Now, months later, I'm still being pursued for this payment with seemingly no way to appeal.

"Pursued" by whom, and how? It isn't going to be worthwhile for someone in Portugal to take legal action to recover 90 Euros from somebody in the UK.

If the OP doesn't get this issue resolved though and goes back to Portugal s/he might have problems.

user1977

Cloth_of_Gold said:

user1977 said:

Stefano123 said:

Now, months later, I'm still being pursued for this payment with seemingly no way to appeal.

"Pursued" by whom, and how? It isn't going to be worthwhile for someone in Portugal to take legal action to recover 90 Euros from somebody in the UK.

If the OP doesn't get this issue resolved though and goes back to Portugal s/he might have problems.

Possibly, though I don't know how sophisticated their systems are and how they'd determine that Joe Bloggs, a car hirer from the UK, is the some one from a few years ago who had an outstanding charge.

Stefano123

user1977 said:

Stefano123 said:

Now, months later, I'm still being pursued for this payment with seemingly no way to appeal.

"Pursued" by whom, and how? It isn't going to be worthwhile for someone in Portugal to take legal action to recover 90 Euros from somebody in the UK.

Pagamento de Portagnes, if that means anything? The Notice to Owner is in English and is coming from Euro Parking Collection PLC it seems ...

KeithP

There are several threads about EPC on the Parking Board.

Here is just one comment made there by @Umkomaas which coincidently, was also in a thread mentioning Portugal...

Umkomaas said:

EPC attempt to 'collect' on any opportunity presented from anywhere in Europe. They are just debt collectors with no enforcement powers. They can't pursue you in the UK courts for an alleged debt incurred outside of the UK. Even more confounded I guess by Brexit!

The advice given from this forum to the few who have asked for it about EPC, is to ignore the letter(s) entirely - don't respond and encourage them to follow up.  We don't know if advice was followed, but on the basis that no one has come back with further queries/request for more help, one might assume that the advice worked.

There are more threads on the Parking Board about EPC 'fines', but we have never seen anything more than threatening letters.