Edited from an article written by SUPRA

Penalty notices

The most common types of fines are penalty notices, also called infringement notices, on-the-spot fines, tickets, or criminal infringement notices. They can be issued in person, attached to a vehicle, or sent to you in the mail, and contain details of the alleged offence and the amount you need to pay. 

LawAccess NSW has a great flowchart on your options for dealing with your penalty notice.

LawAccess NSW also provides detailed information about your options for dealing with a penalty notice, including how to pay the fine, what to do if you disagree with it, what happens if you decide to go to court and what you can do if your driver’s licence is suspended.

If you’ve received a fine for a traffic infringement captured on camera, go to Service NSW to view the photo images.

Court fines

If you go to court and have a fine imposed by the magistrate, you’ll usually be ordered to pay it within 28 days. You’ll be sent a Notice of Penalty which tells you the amount you have to pay and the due date.

Non-payment of a toll

A toll notice requiring payment is not a fine. However, if you do not respond to it, you may be sent a penalty notice for not paying the toll which is a fine. You can use the information here to deal with this fine.

Penalty notices

If you don’t act to deal with any of these fines, Revenue NSW will add enforcement costs and you could have your licence and registration suspended. The additional costs and penalties for unlicensed driving or driving an uninsured or unregistered car are a lot higher and more severe than your original fine.

Updated address

Not knowing about a fine is not a defence, so always remember to update your address if you move, especially if you have a car. Penalty notices sent by mail and reminders will be sent to your last known address. If you haven’t updated it, you could find yourself with large debts for fines, enforcement costs, and additional costs and penalties.

Private fines

You may be sent a letter or given a document that looks like a fine when you breach a rule that applies to private property or organisations. This isn’t really a fine, although the private organisation might call it that. These notices commonly relate to private car parks such as those found at shopping centres, clubs, or on other private land. Private fines can’t be referred to Revenue NSW for enforcement, but the private organisation might take you to court if you don’t deal with it, so you shouldn’t ignore their letters.

Public transport

When using public transport in Sydney, you need to “tap on” when you board and “tap off” with the same card (Opal or credit card) when you arrive at your stop. If you are transferring to another service, you need to “tap on” again and “tap off” at your destination.

When you “tap on” and “tap off” correctly with sufficient balance on your Opal card:

• You’re charged the correct fare.
• You won’t be fined for travelling on an invalid ticket.
• Your trip will count towards your Weekly Travel Rewards.
• If transferring to another service within an hour of tapping off the previous trip, the trips will be combined into a single trip meaning you’ll be charged a lesser fare for your combined travel.

If you’re caught travelling without a valid ticket, not paying the correct fare, or using a concession ticket without being in possession of your proof of entitlement card (usually this will be your student card), you may be issued with a fine of $200 (Maximum $550).

Legal Service

If you would like some advice on a fine you have received call the SRC on 9660 5222 and ask to be referred to our Legal Service.

Disclaimer

This information is current as at July 2024 and is intended as a guide to the law as it applies to people who live in or are affected by the law as it applies in NSW. It does not constitute legal advice.