From Tuesday, 29 January, 2019 the way the UK’s Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) collects roadside payments changed. Instead of paying by chip & PIN, fixed penalties are now collected using a secure payment portal.
How it works
Once a member of the DVSA enforcement staff issues you with a fixed penalty:
- You will be asked to provide an e-mail address or telephone number for either yourself or a nominated payee.
- An e-mail or text with a unique code and a link to the payment portal will be sent to you or your nominated payee.
- Follow the link and use the code to enter your payment details to make payment.
- DVSA enforcement staff will receive a text confirming receipt of payment.
- They'll then release your vehicle once any other outstanding issues have been resolved.
- You'll receive an e-mail or text receipt confirming payment.
UK-based drivers will still have 28 days to pay fixed penalties. The new payment system only changes the method of payment, not the rules for payment.
Benefits for operators
The new system means payments can be made from anywhere and by anyone nominated by the driver. It will be translated into several languages and will be available 24/7, so payments can be made at any time. The DVSA says that this should allow drivers to move off quicker.