Fixed penalty issue for drivers in Northern Ireland

Police officers appear to be discriminating against UK drivers from Northern Ireland in an aspect of the new fixed penalty scheme, warns the Road Haulage Association.

Under the new scheme, enforcement officers can require payment if they have grounds to suppose that the driver may not have a permanent UK address. Normally, for a UK driver, showing his vocational driving licence is accepted as evidence and he is given additional time to pay, to complain about the fixed penalty, or to decide to go to court.

But while the vocational licence details can be quickly checked in respect of addresses in England, Scotland or Wales, no such check is available in respect of Northern Ireland when they come to the mainland. “There is one regulation on fixed penalties in respect of UK drivers but there appears to be two enforcement policies in respect of proof of address,” RHA director of policy Jack Semple says.

“What seems clear is that Northern Ireland drivers are having to provide extra information because the administrative systems for licensing vary between Northern Ireland and the rest of the country.

“This should have been made clear to the industry, but wasn’t. As a result, Northern Irish drivers have already suffered delays that would have been entirely avoidable. Members have told us of drivers who have been prevented from continuing their journey until they have paid fines (or deposits to the same value), even although they have provided evidence of their home address.

“The RHA has advised members that drivers living in Northern Ireland should carry additional evidence, such as a recent utility bill or an employment contract, as well as their vocational driving licence. All UK drivers are advised to carry their vocational licence,” Semple says.

The RHA is seeking confirmation from the police as to what additional evidence Northern Ireland drivers should carry in their cabs so that, other things being equal, he would be allowed to continue his journey in the same way as any other UK driver.

“The Graduated Fixed Penalty, Deposit and Immobilisation scheme came into force on April 1 and is being used by some police forces. We are monitoring the working of the scheme closely, with members already providing feedback. We expect a number of issues to be highlighted and we will be raising them with VOSA and the police,” Semple says.