Hi there, As name suggests, Im a foreign visitor; have been here for almost 2 months and will leave in approx. 3 months time. 22 days ago, I was issued with a PFN by LU. I have a monthly Z1 - Z3 ticket on my oyster. I went to visit a friend and exited at a z4 station with no gate/barrier (entered at z2) Ignorance proved pretty bliss at the time and I strolled towards the station exit and failed to tap out. I was called over by a plain clothes tfl officer who identified himself and asked why I didn't tap out. I simply explained that I saw no gate and mindlessly kept walking and apologised for the action. He explained to me that this was a crime and that I could be prosecuted for fare evasion, then asked for my ID. I advised that I only had a foreign drivers license as I was a tourist and that I didn't realise not tapping out was a criminal offense. When he realised that I was foreign he appeared to change his mind and explained that instead he will issue me with a PFN. I didnt have £40 on me to pay it then and there, so he asked for my address, albeit it a temporary one, called some one to verify it (god knows who, since im not registered to any address here?) and told me that if I don't pay the penalty fare, it will be taken over by debt collectors, bad credit will be marked against my name in the UK and that I may be stopped upon leaving or trying to re-enter the country. I completely understand and acknowledge that I failed to tap out - and of course now know that this is a (serious) crime in the UK. I'm hoping to get some advice or clarity around the following questions please, if possible.. 1. I know that I am probably really pushing my luck here and standing myself in front of a firing range, especially as I am somewhat in the wrong, but (here goes...) as a foreigner, how likely is it that I can just close my eyes and pretend that none of this happened (especially as the 21days has elapsed - lost the ticket.. found the ticket!) and leave in a few months without any consequence? I am slightly concerned about the enter/exit UK thing? Though also suspicious of his truthfulness. I have read many things about PFN's initially being a civil matter, but that they can be withdrawn and TOC can choose to prosecute, resulting in a criminal matter for intent not to pay the PF. 2. If advised to pay, would it still be possible to pay the £40 by postal credit card, as I have not received any other 'reminder' type correspondence? 3. Should I just pay the £80 as it's past the 21 day mark and count my blessing I was invited to a court date as he mentioned? Thanks for the help in advance. Much appreciated! It might be worth mentioned that I have done some casual work while here, so am registered with HMRC.

Hi there we are in a very odd situation and would require some advice. My brother is neither a citizen of UK nor he has ever lived here, he is of mature age and sometimes visit UK like once in 2 years for a month or sometimes 2 weeks in a year. He did a mistake without knowing UK motoring law took out dad's car in to the next street at night and got caught my police officer of driving without a third party insurance. He got a fine of £200. But instead of telling us or paying the fine online he gave 2 visits to the local police station, on saturday it was closed on Monday she was told by the officer that he should wait for the letter as its been more than 7 days. He left UK as always, he has no address in UK, he applies for visiting visa on his own basis, we moved property as well (rented) and after 5 month letter came in our old property about his court hearing. We visit our old property twice a week to get letters that still goes to that address. Court hearing date was passed, it was on my brother's name and even if we had got letter on time it his presence to it was impossible. So I wrote a letter to court and explained his case and asked for new fine with mention that his salary is £300 per month only if we compare to UK. I also wrote that he is guilty and if court wants to contact him directly then please ask for our address. I also wrote address of our new house. I gave the letter by hand and it has magistrates court stamp as well. No response came and just this week I got a torn letter from our old property that says NOTICE OF DISTRESS WARRANT an that they have been instructed by court to collect full payment of £830 or remove goods to sell at public auction. Date is like almost one month old and new tenants in our old property are never happy that we still visit their house to get our letters so I dont know may be they threw other letters or I cant really say. Anyway the problem is fine of £830 is too much to pay for him as well. Its like his 3 months salary. My dad is supporting a family of 6 already and his yearly salary is £11K. Yes that much less. He is the only earner in our family. So even if we want to pay on his behalf we cannot and then I dont see the point that why my dad should pay for his 28 years old son. He cannot anyway. No we dont know what to do. I dont think they know that he does not live in UK and was only a visitor. Case is already into bailiffs hand so would they consider monthly instalments? He does not live here so what can happen if we ignore these letters from bailiff? Like lets say when he applies for visiting visa lets say next year or so will his name be in criminal record? We are not financially in good condition. There is no way we can pay £830 so the most we can offer is our car on which by brother got fined. But even if we have to offer this how it can be done? Please advice. I will be very thankful to all of you.

I am British...my partner is not, I do not hold a driving license, she does (one from Guatemala) and has been driving for the past 7 years. We plan to head to the UK for 3 years next year and would love to be mobile (preferably a camper-van). My question is if any of you good people know the ins and out of a foreigner (who has driving experience) would pay for insurance on a car that I buy, but she drives? I looked at a quote on the net and it said £7500 / year.....that surely can not be right, can anyone help? Thank you all and hope i hear from you soon!