You open the post, and there’s a Fixed Charge Notice from An Garda Síochána for a driving offence. Speeding, mobile phone use, no seatbelt — whatever it is, the notice tells you to pay a fixed amount within a specific timeframe. What are your options, and what happens if you don’t pay?

What is a Fixed Charge Notice?

A Fixed Charge Notice (FCN) is an out-of-court resolution offered for certain road traffic offences. Instead of being prosecuted, you can pay a set fine (and accept any associated penalty points) and the matter ends there — no criminal record, no court appearance.

The FCN system covers offences including:

• Speeding
• Using a mobile phone while driving
• Not wearing a seatbelt
• Driving without insurance or NCT [VERIFY — some no-insurance offences may not be eligible for FCN]
• Breaking a red light
• Parking offences
• Driving in a bus lane

The three stages of a Fixed Charge Notice

The base amounts vary by offence. As of [VERIFY current rates], common amounts include:

• Speeding: €160 [VERIFY] + 3 penalty points
• Mobile phone while driving: €120 + 3 penalty points
• No seatbelt: €120 + 3 penalty points
• Breaking a red light: €160 + 3 penalty points

Your options

Option 1: Pay the FCN

If you accept that you committed the offence, the simplest course is to pay. You can pay online via the AGS payments portal, by phone, in person at a post office, or by post.

Paying the FCN means:

• No criminal record
• No court appearance
• Penalty points are added to your licence (if applicable)
• The matter is closed

Option 2: Dispute the FCN

If you believe the FCN was issued incorrectly (mistaken identity, wrong vehicle, valid defence to the alleged offence), you can choose not to pay and contest the matter in court.

However, going to court is risky:

• If you lose, the court can impose a higher fine than the FCN amount
• The court may impose additional penalty points (often more than the FCN equivalent)
• You will have a criminal conviction recorded
• Court costs may be added
• The conviction may affect insurance, employment, and travel to some countries

Disputing is appropriate when you have a genuine defence — wrong driver identified, defective speed equipment, emergency justifying the conduct, or procedural defects in the notice. It is rarely worth disputing simply because the fine feels harsh.

Option 3: Do nothing

Ignoring an FCN is the worst option. The charge will increase after 28 days, a court summons will follow, and you’ll end up paying significantly more — with the prospect of a criminal conviction and additional penalty points.

“Not receiving” the FCN is generally not a defence. The notice is sent to the registered address of the vehicle owner. If you’ve moved and not updated your address with the NVDF (National Vehicle and Driver File), you’re still considered notified.

Penalty points: what they mean

Penalty points are recorded against your driving licence. They remain on record for 3 years from the date of the offence.

Note the lower threshold for learner and novice drivers (within 2 years of passing their test).

If you go to court

If you don’t pay an FCN and a summons is issued, you’ll be required to attend the District Court on a specified date. You can:

• Plead guilty (the court will impose a penalty)
• Plead not guilty (the matter proceeds to a contested hearing)
• Be represented by a solicitor or appear yourself

Failing to attend court can result in a bench warrant for your arrest and additional charges.

What if you have a legal defence?

Common defences to traffic offences include:

• Mistaken identity — you weren’t driving the vehicle
• Defective equipment — the speed camera, breath test, or other detection equipment was faulty
• Necessity or emergency — you had to commit the act to avoid worse harm
• Procedural defects — the FCN was incorrectly issued (wrong address, missing information, etc.)
• Insufficient evidence — the prosecution can’t prove the offence beyond reasonable doubt

If you have any of these defences, get legal advice before deciding whether to dispute. A solicitor can assess the strength of the case and the likely outcome.

Final thoughts

The Fixed Charge Notice system is designed to keep minor traffic offences out of court — to your benefit. Paying the FCN, while annoying, is almost always the right call unless you have a genuine defence. The 28-day window matters: pay within it and you avoid the 50% surcharge. Ignore the notice entirely, and you risk far more serious consequences than the original fine.