Fixed Charged Notice Information Videos

Today we’ll talk about fixed charge notices, something that can be confusing, but it's important to understand how to deal with one correctly.

There are a number of reasons why you might receive a fixed charge notice, but simply it means that there is an allegation that you or your vehicle have been involved in an offence.

There are over 1000 different offences which can result in a fixed charge notice.

These range from lesser offences like parking on double yellow lines to public order offences like intoxication in a public place.

They also include offences that can result in penalty points being applied to your driving licence, like speeding, and even more serious offences like drink driving, which can result in a driving ban.

These offences can be detected in a number of different ways.

For example, you may have been stopped by a Garda at a checkpoint or in the street.

If this happens, you’ll likely know that you're about to receive a fixed charge notice.

You might even be waiting for it to arrive in the post.

However, you may have not had any interaction with a Garda before receiving your fixed charge notice.

You may have passed an average speed camera, an automatic number plate recognition scanner or your vehicle may have been observed in your absence.

In these cases, the arrival of a fixed charge notice without any prior warning might come as a bit of a shock.

Let's break it down together to make things clearer.

It's important to recognize that this is not a criminal charge.

It is simply a way to settle a fine without having to go to court.

If you do not accept the details of the alleged offence, you have the right to dispute the matter in court.

When you receive a fixed charge notice, it's important that you act within the correct time frames in order to avoid additional charges or unnecessary court appearances.

The time frames are printed clearly on the top right of your notice above your fixed charge reference number.

How can you pay the fine?

Firstly, you'll notice there are instructions on how to make payment under the payment section on the second page of your fixed charge notice.

If there are no penalty points associated with the notice, then you can pay in any An Post post office, online at gardapayments.anpost.ie or by calling 0818 50 60 80.

You should have the fixed charge notice with you

as you'll need the details in order to make payment.

If there are penalty points associated with the notice,

then you can pay in any An Post post office.

You can also pay using the freepost envelope

which was included with your fixed charge notice.

Please ensure that you complete the declaration

section on the first page of your fixed charge notice

and the payment section on the second page.

You must complete your name, including any middle name,

exactly as it appears on your driver licence.

Remember, it's not advisable to send cash in the post.

If paying by check, only one check for the entire payment amount will be accepted.

How to apply for a cancellation.

An application for cancellation can be made to the cancelling authority or the fixed charge processing office, but only in a very limited set of circumstances.

These circumstances are outlined on our Garda website, www.garda.ie/fcn.

F for fixed, c for charge, n for notice, along with instructions on cancellation.

Ensure you provide supporting documentation for example, a doctor’s letter.

If supporting documentation is not enclosed, your application will be refused.

Further down the page, select your reason for applying to cancel the fixed charge notice.

The statutory exemption section only applies to emergency vehicles.

Please ensure you have signed and dated the declaration section

of the Fixed Charge Cancellation Request Form prior to submission.

Review the form to ensure you've completed all sections.

Submission can be made by post to the Fixed Charge Processing Office, Parnell Street, Thurles, County Tipperary or by email, npo@garda.ie

If you were not driving the vehicle at the time of the offence or your vehicle is registered as a company vehicle,

you must nominate the person that was driving.

A nomination can only be made if the notice was received without any interaction with a Garda member.

This nomination must take place within the first 28 days from the date of issue.

The nomination section located on page two of your fixed charge notice, must be completed and returned to npo@garda.ie.

You can also return your completed notice by post to the Fixed Charge Processing Office, Parnell Street, Thurles, County Tipperary, E41 WV84.

Please ensure you have the following details before completing the nomination section.

The driver's name, their current address, the driver's number.

The nomination section must be signed by the registered owner.

Payment cannot be processed at this stage.

However, if your nomination attempt is successful, a new notice

will issue to the nominated driver who will then have the opportunity to pay.

As per the time frames outlined on the new notice.

If the notice has not been dealt with within the first 14 days, you will receive a reminder notice.

Please disregard this reminder if a nomination has already been sent or payment has already been made.

If your notice remains unpaid after the time frame outlined on the notice, then the matter will proceed to court stage.

When a court date has been set for your case, a summons will issue to you.

At this stage, there will be a final opportunity to pay the fine with an increased fine amount.

If your fine is paid within the time frames outlined on the summons, then your court date will be cancelled and you do not need to appear in court on that date.

Payment can be made up to seven days before the court date.

Remember, staying informed about these matters is key.

If you need additional support, don't hesitate to reach out to the Fixed Charge Processing Office 0818 50 60 80.