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Fines

This section is for people aged 18 and over who have been fined in Victoria. It contains information about your options if you receive an infringement notice and what may happen to you if you do not pay the fine by the due date.

People mainly get fines for:

  • driving offences, such as speeding
  • driving without an e-tag on certain roads
  • parking offences
  • littering
  • not having the right ticket on public transport.

New on-the-spot fines for common offences

As a three-year trial, from 1 July 2008, police can issue on-the-spot fines to people aged over 18 for seven common offences:

  • careless driving
  • indecent language
  • offensive behaviour
  • consuming or supplying liquor on unlicensed premises
  • failure to leave licensed premises when requested
  • shop theft of goods worth up to $600
  • wilful damage to property of up to $500.

Infringement notices

If you are fined you will get an infringement notice that tells you:

  • what law you have broken
  • how much you have to pay
  • when you have to pay the fine.

You usually have 28 days to take action. Make sure you check the date your payment is due. If you do not pay the fine or take other action by this date it may end up costing you more money. See ‘Options for dealing with fines’ (link below).

Young people and fines

If you were under 18 when you broke the law, there is a more flexible system for chasing up unpaid fines. It is called the Children and Young Persons Infringement Notice System (CAYPINS). See the CAYPINS information on the ‘Children’s Court’ page (link below).

More information

Options for dealing with fines

Possible outcomes for traffic offences

Youth issues – Children's Court

Related publications

Fines: your options for dealing with fines

Road to court

Related websites

Victoria Law Foundation – 'Parking, the law and you' publication (new window)

How we can help

Call Victoria Legal Aid’s (VLA) Legal Information Service for free information over the phone about the law and how we can help you with your legal problem. You can speak to a legal information officer in English or ask for an interpreter. Phone (03) 9269 0120 or 1800 677 402 (country callers), Monday to Friday from 8.45 am to 5.15 pm.

VLA’s other free legal services include:

  • advice at VLA offices and other locations across Victoria
  • lawyers who are on ‘duty’ to help at many courts and tribunals.

For some matters, where you have ‘special circumstances’ (such as a mental illness, a disability, a drug addiction or you are homeless), or where your situation is very serious (for example, there is a chance that you will go to jail), we can provide you with a lawyer to help you run your case.

To find out more about any of our legal services see What we do.

Who else can help?

See Getting help with fines.