Travelling in a foreign country can feel like playing make-believe; even the currency can feel like a prop. Even if vacation doesn’t feel like real life, “laws are laws, and so often as North Americans we don’t take them as seriously as we should when we’re outside of our country.
When it comes to getting a ticket, “it isn’t a joke, and it doesn’t matter the country you’re in.
Even though some countries might let the ticket go, paying is the right thing to do. The issue can also snowball if you ignore it.
Risks for not paying a traffic ticket can vary from increased fines to further legal actions or impact future visits to the country and your credit score
Here are some takeaways.
The ticket can follow you home
Presumably when you rented the car, you gave the company identifying information, such as your driver’s license, passport details and credit card number. The powers that be can easily send you a ticket long after your vacation. Everything is still tied back to you.
Certain countries have reciprocal driver’s license agreements with Canada and the U.S., meaning if you get a moving violation on their turf, “not paying your tickets can get you in legal trouble. Goes says the specific ramifications of the citation will depend on the country in which you got the ticket.
You can rack up late fees
It could take months to discover you have an outstanding ticket in another country. The Italian government, for example, may send you a bill up to 360 days from the date of your violation. Depending on the country, you may have a few weeks or months to settle your debt. Miss their deadline to pay, and fees can skyrocket.
If you don’t pay it, it’s going to compound penalties just like an unpaid ticket in Canada.
It could even lead to additional penalties being imposed, or the issuance of a warrant for the driver’s arrest.
The rental car company may charge your card
Some people get notified of their international traffic violations by mail. Others just discover a charge on their credit card from their rental car company covering the cost of the ticket, plus an administrative fee.
Sometimes a rental car company may charge you after you’ve already paid directly to the foreign authorities. Keep a record of any tickets you’ve paid just in case.
Unpaid tickets may keep you from renting a car
In some cases, travellers who have showed up to rental car agencies in Europe only to get declined at the counter for outstanding bills.
Whether it’s a speeding ticket, parking fine or unpaid damage to a rental car, “if the rental car company ends up having to foot that bill, they will put you on a list and say, ‘This person can never rent a car’.
You could be stopped from entering the country
Maybe you got a ticket somewhere you’re pretty sure you’ll never visit again. This is not a good reason to dismiss a fine. You ignore that ticket in Italy, and four years later, you go back not even remembering, and all of a sudden you’re at the airport with outstanding fines in the country.
You could be on the hook for paying thousands of dollars or risk being turned away at the border.
Some countries may refuse entry or impose restrictions for outstanding traffic tickets or legal issues. This could result in difficulties traveling to or through the country where the offense occurred, as well as potential issues when returning to your home country.
It could also mean you could have your driving privileges in that country suspended or revoked.
Exceptions when you may not have to pay.
Although you should pay most of the time, here are a few exceptions to the rule:
- You spot an error or inaccuracy on the ticket, such as the wrong vehicle information or incorrect date. You may then want to contest the ticket. You have your legal rights, and there are international travel lawyers who can help with this.
- You have diplomatic immunity or a similar special designation and are exempt from paying traffic tickets abroad. This typically applies to diplomats, consular staff and other individuals with diplomatic status.
- The ticket’s statute of limitations has passed. In some cases, there may be a statute of limitations on traffic violations, meaning that, after a certain period of time has passed, the ticket can no longer be enforced.
No matter the case, contact the appropriate authorities to see whether you’re in the clear. Ignoring a valid ticket will not make it go away.
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Disclaimer: Current travel rules and restrictions can change without notice. The decision to travel is ultimately your responsibility. Contact your consulate and/or local authorities to confirm your nationality’s entry and/or any changes to travel requirements before travelling.