Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988

[F1 90C Making of payment in compliance with requirement U.K.

(1) This section applies where a person on whom a financial penalty deposit requirement is imposed in respect of an offence makes a payment of the appropriate amount in accordance with section 90B(1) of this Act (and any order made under it).

(2) On payment by the person of the appropriate amount the person by whom the payment is received must issue him with a written receipt for the payment specifying the effect of the following provisions of this section.

(3) If the person was handed a conditional offer—

(a) the person is entitled to give notice requesting a hearing in respect of the offence, and

(b) the written receipt must specify the manner in which such notice is to be given.

(4) In a case where—

(a) a fixed penalty notice relating to the offence has been given to the person or a conditional offer so relating has been handed to him,

(b) the person does not give notice requesting a hearing in respect of the offence before the end of the relevant period in the appropriate manner, and

(c) proceedings are not brought in respect of the offence by virtue of this Act,

subsection (6) below applies.

(5) In subsection (4)(b) above “the appropriate manner” means—

(a) if the person was given a fixed penalty notice, the manner specified in the fixed penalty notice, and

(b) if he was handed a conditional offer, the manner specified in the written receipt under subsection (2) above.

(6) Where this subsection applies, the Secretary of State must—

(a) apply so much of the payment as does not exceed the amount of the fixed penalty in or towards payment of the fixed penalty, and

(b) take the appropriate steps to make any appropriate refund to the person.

(7) In any other case—

(a) if the person is informed that he is not to be prosecuted for the offence, is acquitted of the offence or is convicted but not fined in respect of it, or the prosecution period comes to an end without a prosecution having been commenced against him in respect of it, subsection (9) below applies, and

(b) if a fine is imposed on the person in respect of the offence (otherwise than as a result of a conviction obtained on a prosecution commenced after the end of the prosecution period), subsection (10) below applies.

(8) In this Part of this Act “the prosecution period” means the period of twelve months beginning with the imposition of the financial penalty deposit requirement or, if shorter, any period after which no prosecution may be commenced in respect of the offence.

(9) Where this subsection applies, the Secretary of State must take the appropriate steps to make the appropriate refund to the person.

(10) Where this subsection applies, the Secretary of State must—

(a) apply so much of the payment as does not exceed the amount of the fine in or towards payment of the fine, and

(b) take the appropriate steps to make any appropriate refund to the person.

(11) Where the Secretary of State is required by this section to take the appropriate steps to make an appropriate refund, he must take such steps to trace the person and to make the refund to him, by such means, as are specified in an order made by the Secretary of State.

(12) In this Part of this Act “the appropriate refund”, in any case, is a refund of—

(a) where subsection (6) above applies, so much of the payment as exceeds the amount of the fixed penalty,

(b) where subsection (9) above applies, the amount of the payment, and

(c) where subsection (10) above applies, so much of the amount of the payment as exceeds the amount of the fine,

together with interest calculated in accordance with provision made by order made by the Treasury.]

Textual Amendments

F1 Pt. 3A (ss. 90A-90F) inserted (5.1.2009) by Road Safety Act 2006 (c. 49), ss. 11(1), 61(1)(10) (with s. 61(3)); S.I. 2008/3164, art. 2(b)