Section 56 fine

S

Salmank

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Hi,

Didnt realise the license on my vehicle expired, and got a section 56 notice with an option to appear in court, or pay the fine and admit to the offence.

The problem with paying the 500 bucks is that it also affect your criminal record.

Since I travel alot, should I just pay, but then might have difficulty in getting visas?

Or should I just go to court and make some excuse?

Or should I just ignore?

Please do advise.

Regards,

Salman
 
Correct me if I am wrong... however I don't think paying a traffic fine would result in a criminal record.
 
Salmank said:
Hi,

Didnt realise the license on my vehicle expired, and got a section 56 notice with an option to appear in court, or pay the fine and admit to the offence.

The problem with paying the 500 bucks is that it also affect your criminal record.

Since I travel alot, should I just pay, but then might have difficulty in getting visas?

Or should I just go to court and make some excuse?

Or should I just ignore?

Please do advise.

Regards,

Salman
Click to expand...

Criminal offence is only for serious stuff. I also freaked out that I might get a criminal record for traffic offence when I received section 56.

I went to court asked for it to be reduced, so I paid half price.
 
I also got a section 56 on August 2016, had no court date on it, so I just paid it.. I started a new job in December 2016 and of course they did the criminal record check and it either came back clear because paying the fine did not affect my record or my record was not yet updated.. I also applied for a schengen visa in September that year, though I dont remember when I paid fine.. Again, either my record was clear for the visa or it was not yet updated..

I went to the traffic office to the fines counter and asked whether I had any warrants of arrest on my name for missing the court date on my fine, which wasnt there to begin with, and they confirmed I don't..

The other possibility may be that, should you have a positive result, people doing the check confirms what the record is for and then dont mind the reason being a traffic fine..
 
Last edited:
Drifter said:
An expired license disc will not get you a criminal record.
Click to expand...
My understanding as well. It's a civil/administrative law offence, not a criminal one.

It can become criminal if you ignore the summons though.
 
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