Pursuit of Parking and Toll Fines Across Border from 3 March 2010

The Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA) has been working with officials in ROI to implement an agreement for the supply of vehicle keeper details (including names and addresses) across the border to assist the enforcement authorities, DRD Roads Service in NI and the National Roads Authority (NRA) and local councils in ROI, to pursue unpaid parking fines and toll charges incurred on either side of the border.

The release of such information by DVA is permitted under Regulation 27 of the Roads Vehicles (Registration and Licensing) Regs 2002. This is administered in NI by DVA on behalf of the Department for Transport.

This scheme will come into effect from 3 March 2010 and will be piloted for a period of 9 months initially. The scheme may be continued depending on its effectiveness.

Under the new arrangement, DVA will receive requests from DRD’s car parking enforcement unit for vehicle keeper information from ROI in relation to ROI registered vehicles with unpaid parking penalties. DVA will also supply keeper data through the ROI licensing authority to the NRA and local councils about NI-registered vehicles that have incurred toll or parking penalties in ROI.

It is obviously unfair that drivers, on either side of the border, should avoid paying charges due. This exchange of data will help the relevant enforcement authorities to pursue the payment of charges or penalties and DoE is happy to be able to facilitate this process.

Compliant drivers will welcome any action, which helps to lower the incidence of dangerous or inconsiderate parking