Overseas Driver getting a traffic fine in the UK

FlatTyre

Hi,

A family friend came to the UK and used my car and I received a fine as the keeper for him driving on a bus lane. I am happy to give the council his name, phone, and address. But because he lives outside the European continent, would the council force me to pay the fine or would they deal with him instead and leave me alone?

Thanks.

Zbubuman

More senior forum posters potentially know better. But my understanding is that initially the driver of the vehicle would be held liable, and they would only resort to pursuing you as the keeper if they are unable to identify the driver.

I could be wrong, but on this one I think you should be safe to write back and provide the details of the driver ( then leave it up to them as to whether they want to spend the time & money to pursue someone overseas). If you have any paperwork to evidence that he was driving your vehicle ( like a cover note adding him as a temporary driver on your insurance, etc) it might also help. 

The_Unready

Why don't you ask him to send you the money for the fine and you pay it?

FlatTyre

The_Unready said:

Why don't you ask him to send you the money for the fine and you pay it?

It would take time to get the money before the 14-day discount period, even with the assumption of them not taking their time. I need to make a decision before that date lands. Thanks.

FlatTyre

I think you should be safe to write back and provide the details of the driver ( then leave it up to them as to whether they want to spend the time & money to pursue someone overseas). If you have any paperwork to evidence that he was driving your vehicle ( like a cover note adding him as a temporary driver on your insurance, etc) it might also help. 

This is my current thinking too. Thanks.

Keep_pedalling

Not that simple you are going to have to appeal the ticket because unlike criminal traffic offences, it is the registered keeper who is responsible for PCNs. Sending a note saying you were not driving is not going to cut it. 

For the best advice on how to proceed go to the FTLA forum.

https://www.ftla.uk/index.php

LDast

Keep_pedalling said:

Not that simple you are going to have to appeal the ticket because unlike criminal traffic offences, it is the registered keeper who is responsible for PCNs. Sending a note saying you were not driving is not going to cut it.

Not necessarily. Only if the NtK is fully compliant with PoFA can the keeper be liable in the absence of the drivers identity. Even if it was fully compliant with PoFA, the keeper can supply the drivers details, even if they are overseas, and the operator can decide whether they want to pursue it. As long as the keeper has given a valid name and address for the driver, even if abroad, they have absolved themselves of liability.

KeithP

@LDast, remember this is about driving in a bus lane so PoFA is not relevant. 

Umkomaas

As we major on private parking tickets here, Free Traffic Legal Advice (FTLA) forum will be your best bet for council penalty charges. Register there but please note that a Hotmail address may not work - try using a throwaway Gmail account instead if you do have trouble registering, and post a new thread; here's your link:

https://www.ftla.uk/index.php?board=3.0

Read the sticky 'Read this first before posting your case' as well as reading through some of the other threads there ahead of posting your own details, to get the hang of what information they need from you in your opening post - but as a minimum you will need to post redacted photos/scans of all correspondence you've received from the council (both sides, if appropriate), as they need to see all the small print.