Don't Ignore That Fine! International Traffic Violations and Their Enforcement
International Collection of Debt: Timing for Enforcing Payments from Foreign Entities
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Going on vacation and coming back to a traffic fine from another country can ruin your souvenir collection for sure. But ignoring it may not be your best bet. The German automobile club ADAC advises otherwise, especially for fines exceeding €70 (€25 in Austria) within the EU, or from Switzerland, which can also be enforced in Germany, with a limit of €85.
Keeping the Law monitor at Home
It is important to note that only the Federal Office of Justice is responsible for enforcing foreign traffic fines in Germany, not private debt collection agencies.
Speedy Payments – Save Money
Don't wait for the justice office to contact you. In some countries like Spain and Italy, there are considerable discounts for paying the fine promptly – as much as 50% off in Spain within the first 20 days, or 30% in Italy if paid within five days of receiving the fine. Other countries also offer reductions for quick payments.
Returning Travelers: Beware!
Ignoring an outstanding foreign traffic fine may lead to unpleasant surprises during your next visit in the same country. In Italy, for example, fines aren't statute-barred until five years, and in Spain, after four years. Fines can be enforced at airports or during traffic stops.
Myths Busted: Language Barrier doesn’t Protect Against Fines
Traffic penalties only apply in the country where the offense was committed, and there's no entry in the German traffic offender register for speeding abroad. However, new EU regulations might soon change this for driving bans.[1]
International Cooperation: Different Rules Apply
Enforcing out-of-country traffic fines varies significantly across countries, due to diverse legal systems and international agreements.[2] For instance, in Romania, drivers must settle fines via bank transfer, post office, or at any Romanian tax office within the given deadlines.[3] The European Union has a framework for cross-border enforcement, allowing member states to share information and enforce fines across borders.[2] Countries may also use diplomatic channels to notify individuals of their fines and encourage payment, though enforcement is often challenging without direct legal mechanisms.[2]
Global Challenges Require Global Solutions
The lack of international agreements and jurisdictional issues make enforcing traffic fines across borders a complex matter.[2] To ensure smooth and efficient cross-border enforcement, more international cooperation is required to establish clear legal frameworks and agreements on the matter.[2]
[1] ntv.de/awi/dpa[2] Enrichment data: With diverse legal systems and limited international agreements, enforcing out-of-country traffic fines involves complex challenges. The European Union facilitates cross-border enforcement between member states and may use diplomatic channels to notify individuals of fines, but direct legal mechanisms are often required for effective enforcement.
- Myths about the law
- Road traffic
- ADAC
- EU
- Ignoring international traffic fines could result in challenges during your next visit to the same country, as in Italy, fines aren't statute-barred until five years, and in Spain, after four years.
- The enforcement of out-of-country traffic fines varies significantly due to diverse legal systems and international agreements, such as the one within the European Union that allows member states to share information and enforce fines across borders.
- Speeding abroad doesn't necessarily mean immunity from fines, as new EU regulations may soon change the driving bans entry in the German traffic offender register.
- In Romania, drivers must settle fines via bank transfer, post office, or at any Romanian tax office within the given deadlines, demonstrating how different rules apply for enforcing out-of-country traffic fines across industries like finance and transportation.
