What if I do nothing?
What happens if I do nothing?
When you get a fine you can, by the due date (or within 21 days of being served if there is no due date):
- pay the fine in full
- make an arrangement to pay by instalments
- apply to have your fine heard in court
- nominate another driver, or
- ask for a review
If you do not do anything, Revenue NSW will send you a fine reminder notice. The fine reminder notice will give you a further 28 days to take action.
If you still do not do anything, Revenue NSW will send you an overdue fine and will also add enforcement costs of $65.00, or $25.00 if you are under 18 (as at July 2022).
From April 2013, Revenue NSW may send private debt collection companies to visit the homes of some people who have overdue fines.
If you receive a visit from a debt collector, you should get
legal advice.
If you have already paid the fine but want to nominate another driver, you have up to 90 days from the date the fine notice was served to do this.
Consequences of an overdue fine
Once an overdue fine has been issued, if you do not pay the fine and the extra enforcement costs, Revenue NSW can take further action against you, such as:
- cancelling or suspending your driver licence or your vehicle registration
- ordering the Sheriff to take your goods or property and sell them to pay the amount you owe
- take money from your bank account or wages
- registering an interest on any land or property you may owe
- referring your debt to a private debt collection agency
- issue an Examination Notice
- remove permission to drive in NSW.
In most cases Revenue NSW will add $65.00 (as at July 2022) to the fine for each of the recovery steps that it takes.
Before you can apply for a new licence you must pay all your outstanding fines or enter into a payment plan. You may be able to enter into a Work Development Order (WDO) or apply to have the fine written off.
For more information, see
Consequences of an overdue fine.
Responding to an overdue fine
Once you receive an overdue fine, you can:
- pay the overdue fine in full
- apply for a payment plan
- apply to go to court. However you will need to prove that you were prevented from paying or managing your fine before the due date – this is called hindrance. You will need to supply supporting evidence, such as medical or travel documents.
- ask for a review
- apply for a Work and Development Order, or
- apply for a write off of your fine or fines.
A fine will not go away if you try and avoid it. Once an overdue fine has been issued, Revenue NSW can commence recovery action any time, even if it is for an offence that was committed many years ago.
For more information, see
Responding to an overdue fine.