Foreign Fine Farce Exposed

Drivers of foreign-registered cars are abusing the UK's road rules and getting away with dodging millions of pounds worth of fines.

Auto Express Car Reviews

12th April 2005

A major undercover investigation by Auto Express has revealed the scale of the problem - and just how easy it is to do. Our man Mat Watson used a 1988 Renault 5 bought on the Continent to park illegally, travel in bus lanes and even dodge London's congestion charge.

The vehicle was insured and registered to a French address. Yet the authorities never followed up any of the unpaid penalty notices. And this loophole is being exploited by an unknown number of drivers.
Auto Express editor in chief David Johns said: "We had heard about people doing this, but weren't sure if it was possible to get away with it. Yet it's up to three months since our car got ticketed, and we've heard nothing. The authorities could have traced the car - they chose not to."

He added: "While most generally law-abiding British motorists are penalised left, right and centre, it's outrageous councils can't be bothered to crack down on foreign cars."

Our findings follow news that last year, 1,148 vehicles registered overseas were caught by speed cameras in Kent, yet the offences were never followed up. That's at least ΂£68,880 in fines owing for that county alone. And it's not only tourists getting away with driving offences. Many foreign nationals living in Britain make the most of this lax attitude.

For the full report, see this week's issue of Auto Express magazine.