Speeding Fines Victoria

A speeding fine in Victoria will be issued if you are caught doing either of the following:

• Caught driving 25km or more over the permitted speed limit
• Driving at more than 130km if the speed limit is 110km

Depending on the severity of the offence, you will either receive:

• Demerit points applied to your license – demerit points range from 1 to 10 and remain valid for 3 years
• Licence suspension – this is dependent on how over the speed limit you were

Demerit Points

For more speeding offences, you should expect to receive demerit points. The number of demerit points applied to your licence will depend on your driving offence. It is important to note that the number of demerit points applied to your licence cannot be changed by the Magistrates Court.

Check the balance of your demerit points.

Licence Suspension

If you were more than 25km over the speed limit, you should expect to have your licence suspended. ‘

The minimum suspension periods are as follows:

• 25 km/hour or more but less than 35 km/hour – 3 months suspension
• 35 km/hour or more but less than 45 km/hour – 6 months suspension
• 45 km/hour or more – 12 months suspension

Once your licence is suspended, you cannot drive at all throughout that period of time. If you are found to be driving while suspended, you are likely to find that the magistrates will choose to extend your suspension period. This is due to the fact that you have not taken your suspension seriously.

The magistrates can also choose to cancel your licence for a certain period of time, as well as make a court order that stops you from applying for a licence for a specific period of time.

In some circumstances, the magistrate will decide that jail is the best form of punishment for driving with a suspended licence. You can be imprisoned for up to 6 months.

Disputing a Speeding Fine Victoria

If you are caught speeding, you will be issued an infringement notice. You have 28 days to dispute a speeding fine in Victoria, so it is paramount that you act quickly.

There are a few reasons you can give when disputing your fine:

• If you believe the decision to serve the notice was contrary to law
• Another person was driving your vehicle at the time of the offence
• Your conduct at that point in time was out of the ordinary
• If special circumstances apply

If you fail to pay or dispute your fine within 28 days, a Penalty Reminder Notice will be issued and the fine you were originally issued will go up. You then have the option to pay the fine or contact the agency that originally issued the fine.

Failing to pay once receiving a Penalty Reminder Notice will then result in a Notice of Final Demand. This will see the amount of the fine increase further.

If you are to fail to make the payment again, there is the possibility you may be issued an Enforcement Warrant. Once this has been issued, a sheriff’s officer may then get involved.

Legally, a sheriff’s officer can do any of the following:

• Search for and/or seize property
• Obtain, wheel clamp and/or detain your vehicle to sell
• Arrest you to ensure you are brought before a magistrate

To avoid any further action against you once you receive your Enforcement Warrant, you have the following payment options:

• Pay your fine in full
• Ask to pay your fine in instalments
• Ask if you can have more time to pay your fine