Can I Pay a Fixed Penalty Notice Online? How to Guide

Have you just received a Fixed Penalty Notice and are unsure what to do next? This guide will help you. Every month, over 130,000 people find answers about fines and Fixed Penalty Notices on our website.

This article will explain in simple words:

• What a Fixed Penalty Notice means.
• When you should pay a Fixed Penalty Notice.
• How you can challenge a Fixed Penalty Notice.
• Times when you might not need to pay.
• What could happen if the notice is not paid.

We understand that receiving a Fixed Penalty Notice can be a worry. You might be feeling upset or confused, but don’t fret! We’re here to help with useful advice and clear examples to make things easier for you.

Let’s get started.

Do you have to pay a Fixed Penalty Notice?

You have to pay a Fixed Penalty Notice within 28 days or the fine amount will increase by 50%.

If you decide not to pay the Fixed Penalty Notice because you want to appeal it in court, you could end up paying even more due to court fees. 

What happens when you don’t pay an FPN?

An authority could issue a warrant for your arrest If you don’t pay an FPN.

Plus, you risk having a County Court Judgement recorded on your credit file which stays there for six years.

Can I pay an FPN online?

Yes, you can pay a Fixed Penalty Notice online.

This is often the quickest and most convenient way for motorists to pay. 

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How much is it?

A Fixed Penalty Notice fine differs based on the reason for the FPN.

In general, an endorsable FPN will cost between £60 and £300, whereas a non-endorsable FPN will cost around £30.

This may be subject to change.

Learn more about the cost of Fixed Penalty Notices on our dedicated blog post discussing this subject here. 

Check out why one motorist posted a message on a popular forum because they had a valid Blue Badge but still got an FPN.

Source: Moneysavingexpert

How you can pay online

To pay your Fixed Penalty Notice online, you need to go to this UK government website page.

You will need the FPN to hand as it includes an FPN number you have to enter to identify your fine.

You might need your driving licence to hand as well. 

Can I pay a Fixed Penalty Notice at a post office?

Yes, you may be able to pay your Fixed Penalty Notice at a post office or even a PayPoint location.

The FPN should provide all of the possible ways to pay on the back of the notice. 

However, there is some conflicting information online.

Some resources suggest you can make payments with cash, presumably when attending a post office. But there are police resources that state you cannot pay using cash anymore. 

Can I pay it in instalments?

No, it’s unfortunately not possible to pay a Fixed Penalty Notice in instalments.

There is also the issue of failing to pay within 28 days, which would increase the fine amount by 50%. 

If you’re struggling to pay, it’s best to get advice from Citizens Advice or a UK debt charity.

These organisations might be able to help you pay by focusing on other areas of your budget and financial obligations. 

Need more information about FPNs?

Want to know more about Fixed Penalty Notices, appealing them and your rights?

I suggest heading to our main Fixed Penalty Notice information page. 

This free-to-read page provides all you need to know about FPNs and police fines. 

Quick recap

You can pay a Fixed Penalty Notice online using the UK government’s website.

You can log in with your FPN reference number and make a payment with a valid debit or credit card. You may need your driving licence to hand.

There are other ways to pay an FPN, which should be listed on the back of the notice itself.