To ignore speeding fine

[wowimamazing]

Found out I had a speeding fine sent to an old address. Didn’t respond obviously and it’s been 10 weeks and not heard anything else. Should I just keep quiet.

[DJBaggySmalls]

Your 'defense' is that you didnt update your address? Its going to end in tears...

[xqwertyx]

OP they will eventually find you and the fact you didn’t change your address will go against you too if you ever used that as an excuse. It wont go away it will definitely just get bigger and badder. You need to pay this one and get your address changed ASAP.

[xqwertyx]

Sorry seen you have changed address already

[silverbell64]

Ummm. do you dispute that you were speeding? If so contest it, if not pay it.

[bridgetoc]

I would never ignore a speeding fine myself, and I'm not advising that you should. However, those that are suggesting that you wont get away with it if you ignore it are wrong. You most likely will..........

[allthegoodusernameshavegone]

You have to inform the dvla of any changes by law or a big fine.

[BeALert]

Now you've updated your address they'll send the fine to the correct address surely?

[CloseToTheBone]

"However, those that are suggesting that you wont get away with it if you ignore it are wrong. You most likely will.........."

This is really bad advice. You are probably already guilty of 'failure to furnish', which is 6 points plus a fine. Leaving it longer just means that it goes to court, when you can expect much higher penalties than if you owned up. I have NEVER known a case where the courts gave up and went away like some people are suggesting. It's not a parking ticket we are talking about.

[Redglitter]

If it was as simple as just ignoring it and it'll go away no-one would pay them. If it then goes to court they now have your new address. Don't embarass yourself by having police turn up at your door

[blueskyinmarch]

Of course you can't ignore it. How idiotic. They will find you and you will pay more or you will end up in court.

[coconuttella]

Agree with consensus opinion... Ignoring this is putting your head in the sand.

[Monkeypuzzle32]

Eventually your case will be heard in court and in your absence you'll be found guilty then you'll be wanted for failing to attend court.

[wowimamazing]

Some helpful advice thanks. I will hold out and see if the paperwork comes to new address now I’ve updated it. If it does I shall probably argue it anyway as almost certainly not speeding.

[Namechangetempissue]

My friend (who works for the police) got a fine (and a massive bollocking from work) for not updating her address with the dvla so it does happen!

[Sirzy]

Argue on what basis? For them to have sent a speeding fine they have proof that your car was caught speeding so you either say “yes it was me” or identity who you had given permission to drive your car at the time.

You seem determined to dig yourself into a deeper hole!

[Lagerthaisfabulous]

So you are convinced you werent speeding. And instead of challenging it you are going to ignore it, despite not being guilty of the offence?

I am going to guess thete is a high probability that you were.

[HerSymphonyAndSong]

You would do better to call them and be pro-active about it now that you are aware of it. How did you find out?

A relative got caught speeding the same week that they moved house, so of course their details hadn't been updated yet. The forwarded post arrived after the deadline for the lower penalty. They replied straight away with a letter explaining the change of address, and were able to still get the lower penalty as a result.

[SantasLittleMonkeyButler]

It’s NOT just a fine though is it? There is also the law breaking element of it resulting in 3 points on your licence.

They most definitely will pursue it at some point. Why put yourself through the stress of wondering when they’re going to catch up with you?

[WitchesHatRim]

Some helpful advice thanks. I will hold out and see if the paperwork comes to new address now I’ve updated it. If it does I shall probably argue it anyway as almost certainly not speeding.

Are you really that daft?

[Quietvoiceplease]

Something that rarely gets mentioned on threads like this is the value people place on their peace of mind. To me, knowing I have paid a fine or a bill, and that I needn't worry, is worth a million times more than a chance I might 'get away with it' but to always wonder whether the envelope or knock on the door might be a summons.
There's also the legal and moral reasons too, which others have articulated.
I am genuinely wondering on what grounds ignoring it feels like the best or right option. Even if you're in financial circumstances which mean you aren't able to pay it, then contact them and make arrangements to pay in instalments.
Oh, and slow down. It's boring, I know, but it saves lives.

[MagentaRocks]

You do know that the police don't just guess how fast you were going and decide to find you. They use calibrated cameras and will have evidence.

[OnionKnight]

Don’t be an idiot OP, it won’t go away.

[AnneTwacky]

It's not like a private parking ticket. It will not go away and you would be looking at 6 points and a hefty fine for not responding.
They have your name and old address and they will find you.

[Sukistinks]

I can't believe you think ignoring it is a good idea. Have you informed your insurance company of your change of address? If not, please do it before you drive again.

People are fined or taken to court every day for cases that could have been avoided by sorting out their licence, insurance and penalty points. Just because you don't know anyone doesn't mean it never happens.

First, your insurer is legally entitled to void your policy because you have committed fraud by deliberately failing to notify them of something that will alter your premiums. This will stay on your records and almost certainly increase your premiums. It will be forwarded to future insurers too. If there are any circumstances that affect how an insurance company calculates your premium you MUST notify them immediately.

Failure to change the address on your licence may also void your insurance but clearly the DVLA can't notify you of this because you have moved house... If so, when you are in an accident and they refuse to pay out you can come back here and tell everyone your insurance company are dick heads.

The DVLA automatically add the points, fine and offence code. Check your license online to see if they have done this. If they haven't you need to contact them ASAP because there are plenty more charges they can slap you with (fraud, perjury, driving without a valid license or insurance)

I have met over 100 people who thought. It wasn't worth bothering to change their licence details or thought they could save money by not dealing with a penalty notice and not one of those people thought it 2ws worth it.

I am an independent fraud and accident investigator and I am the person who knocks on your door to take a witness statement about why you failed to do the basic stuff... You'd be surprised how many people think it's clever, until they are involved in an accident.

[Sukistinks]

Nickynack I don't know how to tag your name, but it's so good to see someone else working (or worked) in the same industry with some good advice.

The amount of people who think it's OK to ignore these things should shock me but it doesn't any more.

The worst I had to deal with was a driver who didn't let his insurer or DVLA know about a change of address. He was sent to prison for killing someone. Before it went to court the driver was unbelievably arrogant (he made me feel repulsed by his attitude). The judge took MY witness statement into consideration because of his blasé attitude towards the life he ended and 'fraud by misrepresentation and fundamental dishonesty because he didn't want a premium increase. He is still in prison.