Traffic Infringement Notices

How is an Infringement Notice issued?

An infringement notice can be issued by a Department of Transport and Main Roads Transport Inspector, the department’s Prosecution Unit or a Queensland Police Officer.

Depending on the offence, an infringement notice may be issued to:

• the registered operator of the vehicle
• the driver of the vehicle at the time of the offence
• a passenger in the vehicle
• a combination of the above.

Infringement notices can be given:

• in person
• by post
• by certified mail
• by attaching or placing a infringement notice on a vehicle.

If you receive an infringement notice, it will state all the relevant details of the offence, including the fine.

What options are available to me if I receive an Infringement Notice?

If you receive an infringement notice, you have 28 days from the date of issue stated on the infringement notice to take one of the following actions:

• pay the infringement notice fine in full or in instalments with a Voluntary Instalment Plan
• complete the statutory declaration nominating another person as the person in charge of the vehicle at the time of the offence
• elect to have the matter dealt with by a court
• contest the issue of the infringement notice with the issuing authority.

What will happen if you do nothing about the Infringement Notice?

If you do nothing within the 28 days, the infringement notice will be sent to the State Penalties Enforcement Register (SPER). Enforcement action may be taken against you to recover the amount, including any additional fees incurred by registering the infringement notice with SPER.

When the notice is referred to SPER, the demerit points (if relevant) will be allocated to your traffic record on the day the offence was committed.

No reminder will be issued.

Pay Infringement Notice

Pay in full

Payment must be received within 28 days of the date of issue stated on the infringement notice.

Note: By paying the penalty for the offence, you are deemed to have accepted liability for the offence. Do not pay the infringement notice if you intend to nominate another person by statutory declaration, elect a court hearing or contest the issue of the infringement notice with the issuing authority.

Once payment of the fine is received the matter is finalised. Any demerit points relevant to the offence will be allocated to your traffic record.

Payment methods – payment in full

On the internet

• At www.tmr.qld.gov.au and follow the links to Services Online.
• Have your infringement notice and credit card details ready (Visa and Mastercard only).

By mail

Send the infringement notice and your payment by cheque or money order, payable to the Department of Transport and Main Roads, to:

Department of Transport and Main Roads
PO Box 525
Fortitude Valley Qld 4006

Do not send cash.

In person

• At a Department of Transport and Main Roads Customer Service Centre.
• Bring your infringement notice and pay the fine by cash, cheque or EFTPOS.

Note: Payment will not be accepted after the due date.

Voluntary Instalment Plan

If the fine is A$200 or more, you may choose to pay the amount in instalments using a Voluntary Instalment Plan.

A voluntary instalment plan may be chosen by filling out the Payment Options section on the back of the infringement notice. If choosing this option, an initial instalment of at least A$60 must be made within 28 days of the date of issue stated on the infringement notice. An instalment plan notice will be forwarded to you by the State Penalties Enforcement Registry (SPER) for payment of the balance.

Note: By paying part of the penalty for the offence, you are deemed to have accepted liability for the offence. Do not pay the infringement notice if you intend to nominate another person by statutory declaration, elect a court hearing or contest the issue of the infringement notice with the issuing authority.

Payment methods - Voluntary Instalment Plan

By mail

Send the infringement notice and the initial instalment by cheque or money order, payable to the Department of Transport and Main Roads, to:

Department of Transport and Main Roads
PO Box 525
Fortitude Valley Qld 4006

Do not send cash.

In person

• At a Department of Transport and Main Roads Customer Service Centre.
• Bring the infringement notice and pay the initial instalment by cash, cheque or EFTPOS.

Note: Payment will not be accepted after the due date. The internet payment method is not available for Voluntary Instalment Plan payments.

For more information about Voluntary Instalment Plans please visit the State Penalties Enforcement Register (SPER) website.

Demerit point offences

An offence may carry demerit points in addition to a monetary fine. When the infringement has been finalised either by way of payment of the notice, determination through the court system or when the notice is referred to the State Penalties Enforcement Registry (SPER), the demerit points will be allocated to your traffic record on the day the offence was committed.

Note: Demerit points are not applied to infringement notices issued to companies or corporations.

For more information see demerit points.

Nominate another person by Statutory Declaration

If you were not responsible for the offence, you must complete the Statutory Declaration on the infringement notice within 28 days of the date of issue on the notice. You will need to declare the full name and address of the person who was in charge of the motor vehicle at the time the alleged offence was committed.

The completed declaration must be witnessed by a Justice of the Peace, Commissioner for Declarations, notary public, a lawyer or another person authorised to administer an oath under the law of the State, the Commonwealth or another state. Send the completed Statutory Declaration and infringement notice within 28 days of the date of issue on the infringement notice to:

Department of Transport and Main Roads
PO Box 673
Fortitude Valley Qld 4006

Do not include the payment of the penalty amount when giving the completed Statutory Declaration.

Note: Please retain a copy of the infringement notice and your statutory declaration for your records.

Election for Court Hearing

You may elect to have the matter dealt with by a court.

If you choose to do so, you must complete Election for Court Hearing on the back of the infringement notice. Send the completed election for court hearing and infringement notice within 28 days of the date of issue on the infringement notice to:

Department of Transport and Main Roads
PO Box 673
Fortitude Valley Qld 4006

Do not include the payment of the penalty amount when giving the completed Election for Court Hearing.

Note: Please retain a copy of the infringement notice and your election for court hearing for your records.

Once the department has received your election for court hearing, you will be issued a summons at the address you have provided. You should receive the summons within two months.

Contest the Infringement Notice with the issuing authority

If you receive an infringement notice that you believe has been unjustly issued, you may send a written request to the issuing authority for consideration. In your letter, you must include your full name, licence number and infringement notice number. You should also list the reasons that you believe the infringement notice was issued unjustly.

If the issuing authority finds that there are sufficient grounds to waive the infringement notice, the notice may be withdrawn. You will be advised in writing about the outcome of your letter.

Note: If you choose to contest the infringement notice with the issuing authority, you must lodge your request within 28 days of the date of issue on the notice.

Police issued Infringement Notices
If you have received an infringement notice from a Police Officer that you believe has been unjustly issued, send your written request to:

Office in Charge,
Queensland Police Service,
(Address of Police Station in the area where the alleged offence occurred)

Transport Inspector and Prosecution Unit Issued Infringement Notices

If you have received an infringement notice from a Transport Inspector that you believe has been unjustly issued, send your written request to:

Prosecution Unit
Department of Transport and Main Roads
PO Box 673
Fortitude Valley Qld 4006

Further information

For further information about traffic infringement notices visit the Queensland Police Service website and the State Penalties Enforcement Registry (SPER) website. The State Penalties Enforcement Registry may also be contacted by phone on 1300 365 635.