Should I pay an overseas speeding ticket?

**ukusa** · 23rd November 2010, 16:34

got one in the post from Aussie. Up in Cairns in the rental car, 70 in a 60 = A$135.00 (about NZ$180). Was running late for the airport (when we got there flights were delayed for 3 hours anyway, bugger).
Anyway, does anyone know what would happen if we didn't pay. Would something get flagged if we entered the country again, or would it eventually just go away.

Surely it's a bigger loss for them (in taxes etc) if I didn't go back there because of a smallish fine.

Interested to know thoughts/experiences of others.

**scott411** · 23rd November 2010, 16:36

Originally Posted by ukusa

got one in the post from Aussie. Up in Cairns in the rental car, 70 in a 60 = A$135.00 (about NZ$180). Was running late for the airport (when we got there flights were delayed for 3 hours anyway, bugger).
Anyway, does anyone know what would happen if we didn't pay. Would something get flagged if we entered the country again, or would it eventually just go away.

Surely it's a bigger loss for them (in taxes etc) if I didn't go back there because of a smallish fine.

Interested to know thoughts/experiences of others.

if it is through a rental car company i think they will make you pay, it will be somewhere in the conditions, i am suprised they did not just take it out of your credit card

**ukusa** · 23rd November 2010, 16:44

Originally Posted by scott411

if it is through a rental car company i think they will make you pay, it will be somewhere in the conditions, i am suprised they did not just take it out of your credit card

We already paid them, they took a A$50 "administration" fee out on my credit card for getting a fine. It was in the fine print (no pun intended). There letter said we will shortly be getting the fine in the mail from the police (or whoever issue them over there). We actually got the fine before the rental car outfits "fine".
I assume their administration charge was for forwarding our details to police/fines dept. then writing to us.

**phill-k** · 23rd November 2010, 16:44

Originally Posted by ukusa

got one in the post from Aussie. Up in Cairns in the rental car, 70 in a 60 = A$135.00 (about NZ$180). Was running late for the airport (when we got there flights were delayed for 3 hours anyway, bugger).
Anyway, does anyone know what would happen if we didn't pay. Would something get flagged if we entered the country again, or would it eventually just go away.

Surely it's a bigger loss for them (in taxes etc) if I didn't go back there because of a smallish fine.

Interested to know thoughts/experiences of others.

Yes you will be flagged and the next time you go back if you are on a kiwi passport you will be locked up for 7 days.

**Tink** · 23rd November 2010, 16:47

Originally Posted by phill-k

Yes you will be flagged and the next time you go back if you are on a kiwi passport you will be locked up for 7 days.

Was thinking the same thing... I would pay!

**Mully** · 23rd November 2010, 17:05

I suspect if you don't pay, the Police will go back to the rental company and make them pay.

Then they'll take it out of your credit card anyway.

Just pay up and slow down, Rossi. Oh wait, it was in a car. Slow down, Vettel

**ukusa** · 23rd November 2010, 17:59

Originally Posted by phill-k

Yes you will be flagged and the next time you go back if you are on a kiwi passport you will be locked up for 7 days.

lucky me, it was the missus who signd it up

I'll tell her to holiday elsewhere.

**cs363** · 23rd November 2010, 18:02

Just pay it, things like that have a nasty habit of biting you in the arse when you least expect it if left unpaid. Besides, as others have pointed out - if you don't the rental car company will have to pay and then they will pass the charges onto you, probably with another 'administration fee'.

**scumdog** · 23rd November 2010, 18:19

I didn't.

And it was my own Caddy.

Probably still a wanted man in Canada

**Winston001** · 23rd November 2010, 18:22

Had the same thing happen. I paid the fine rather than face arrest the next time I'm ever in Queensland. Plus the rental car contract stated the rental company would pay any fine and was authorised to debit my credit card.

Life is too short and Oz too close for a holiday to risk an idiot experience in the future.

**Madness** · 23rd November 2010, 18:24

Originally Posted by ukusa

lucky me, it was the missus who signd it up

I'll tell her to holiday elsewhere.

That's the story. Tell her how wonderful Fiji is, then you can feck off to Thailand!

**Banditbandit** · 24th November 2010, 12:49

Originally Posted by ukusa

got one in the post from Aussie. Up in Cairns in the rental car, 70 in a 60 = A$135.00 (about NZ$180). Was running late for the airport (when we got there flights were delayed for 3 hours anyway, bugger).
Anyway, does anyone know what would happen if we didn't pay. Would something get flagged if we entered the country again, or would it eventually just go away.

Surely it's a bigger loss for them (in taxes etc) if I didn't go back there because of a smallish fine.

Interested to know thoughts/experiences of others.

Only if you want to go back ...

**James Deuce** · 24th November 2010, 13:36

It's a good way to provide the necessary motivation to never return to the horrible red desert land that crawls with poisonous insects, reptiles and pseudo-mammals. Awful place.