Getting a traffic fine is never fun. It’s just a waste of money, especially during your holiday. But in some countries you get a discount if you pay the fine quickly.
It can of course happen that you find a traffic fine on your doorstep after your holiday. And from a foreign agency! The good news is that a number of countries reward quick payment with a discount. We list them.
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Spain: within twenty days
If you receive a fine from the Directorate-General for Traffic (DGT) in Spain, you will receive a 50 percent discount if you pay the fine within twenty days. The second condition is that you do not appeal against the violation. After the first twenty days, the normal ticket rate applies until the 45th day after the date on the notice. If you pay later, you pay 20 percent more. In addition, the details of the driver of the car when the violation was discovered must be known. This has to do with Spain’s points system. The discount does not apply if you used a radar detector, because it is prohibited in Spain. In addition, you can take advantage of the discount if you damage traffic signs or traffic monitoring systems or if your behavior can lead to other road users ending up in unsafe situations.
France: within fifteen days
In France you have fifteen days to pay your reduced fine. This reduction in the fine is especially interesting if you have committed an offense of speeding between 20 and 50 km/h, driving a car without a registration certificate or not wearing the mandatory seat belts. The normal fine in those cases is €90. You can save around €45 by paying quickly.
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United Kingdom: within fourteen days
In the UK it may vary, but if you get a fine from Transport for London you can deduct 50 percent of it if you pay within fourteen days. However, if you pay late, you will pay 50 percent more than the original fine amount.
Italy: within five days
Italy charges a lower rate if you pay a fine within five days or even on the spot. In that case, the discount can amount to 30 percent. On the other hand, if you are stopped for larger violations, you may be asked to pay an advance while waiting for the actual fine. If you pay on site, you must always receive proof of payment or a formal fine.
– Thanks for information from Autoweek.nl