I have had my license for 47 years and I have never had any issues in the UK. I did get an on-the-spot fine in Austria inthe late 90s, which was 300 schillings, ~£15.
It has all changed this year. In Austria I was caught doing 64kph in a 50kph limit, one of those where you slow down coming into the limit, and I didn't slow quickly enough. Rather harsh, I thpought, but the fine was only 20 Euros and the policeman was very apologetic.
This morning, in the post, I received notification from the German authorities in Garmisch-Partenkirchen that I had been photographed speeding on 5th August exceeding the 50kph speed limit by 6kph (They only allow 3kph, less than 2mph tolerance). I can't deny it was me, as my photo was in the documentation. The fine is only 15 Euros.
It is interesting in both of these offences that the fines are considerably smaller than the consequences of speeding in the UK, in that here the fine would be huge and I would get 6 points on my license, but would I actually get fined for these speeds. Also, as a foreign national, do I get treated differently to a German or Austrian caught in the same way.
Another thing is that I was not aware that foreign authorities could or would bother to enforce this type of offence, And how would we in Britain deal with a German or Austrian caught by a speed camera.
So the question is, should I pay it. I wonder what the consequences would be if I ddn't pay. Interesing that you can only pay by credit card, no debit card, and there is an additional 5 Euros for that.
And why are the DVLA supplying them with my delails. Do we get info from Europe as well.
