Metropolitan Police Service Fixed Penalty Notice Payment Guide

If you’ve just received a Fixed Penalty Notice from the Metropolitan Police Service, you may be worrying about what to do next. This guide is here to help you clear up any confusion and make sure you know your options.

In this guide, we will tell you:

• What a Fixed Penalty Notice is.
• If you must pay your Fixed Penalty Notice.
• How you can challenge a Fixed Penalty Notice.
• Times when you might not need to pay.
• What might happen if you choose not to pay.

Every month, over 130,000 people come to our website for help with fines and parking tickets. We understand it can be a big worry when you get a notice like this, but there’s no need to panic. We’re here with simple, clear advice to help you understand what to do.

Let’s get started.

What is a Metropolitan Police Service Fixed Penalty Notice?

A Metrolpolitan Police Service Fixed Penalty Notice is when an FPN is issued by the Metrolpolitan Police Service.

Most FPNs are issued by the police, although they can be issued by local councils and some other groups as well.  

How much is a fixed penalty notice in the UK?

The amount you’ll have to pay will depend on the reason you’ve been issued a Fixed Penalty Notice. 

The smallest possible fine is £60, but certain types of offences have higher minimum fines, such as a speeding FPN which will cost at least £100. 

Can I pay my fixed penalty notice in instalments?

No, Fixed Penalty Notices must always be paid in full and cannot be spread over multiple instalments. 

If you’re having difficulty paying a Fixed Penalty Notice, you may want to get advice and support from a UK debt charity or Citizens Advice. 

They won’t be able to pay the FPN fine for you, but they might be able to help you cut costs in other areas to make your financial situation more comfortable.

Metropolitan Police Service Fixed Penalty Notice Payment

You have 28 days to pay a Fixed Penalty Notice issued by the Metropolitan Police Service.

If you don’t make the payment within 28 days, the fine amount will increase by 50%.

For example, if you received a £100 fine as part of a Fixed Penalty Notice for speeding but didn’t pay within 28 days, your fine will now be £150. 

Ways to pay a Metropolitan Police Service Fixed Penalty Notice

There are several ways to pay a Fixed Penalty Notice that was issued by the Metropolitan Police Service. 

The most common and usually most convenient way to pay is online.

You can pay your Met Fixed Penalty Notice on this government page. 

You will need the notice to hand because you need the reference number to locate your fine. You’ll also need your bank card and possibly your driving licence. 

There are other ways to pay a Metropolitan Police Service Fixed Penalty Notice, which should be explained to you on the back of the notice you received.

You may also be able to pay by:

1. Calling a payment number
2. Sending a cheque in the post
3. Visiting a post office

In my experience, it’s always best to refer to the information you received on the reverse side of the FPN. 

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What happens if you ignore a Metropolitan Police Service FPN?

If you ignore the first deadline, the fine will be increased by 50% and another deadline to pay will be made

Ignoring the Fixed Penalty Notice altogether will result in the matter escalating to court and possible prosecution.

If the matter goes to court and a judge orders you to pay, the fine you have to pay is likely to be increased by the judge.

On top of this, there will be other court fees you’ll have to pay. 

What happens if I don’t pay for a FPN?

The Metropolitan Police sends the matter to the courts when you don’t pay an FPN.

In short, you risk being prosecuted for non-payment which could have far-reaching consequences that will affect your insurance and financial situation.

What reasons can you appeal an FPN?

There are no ‘formal grounds’ to appeal an FPN.

It’s because the laws that govern Fixed Penalty Notices allow you to challenge the fine in court.

However, you could appeal it through the courts for the following reasons:

• Your car was stolen when the FPN was served
• You recently sold or purchased the vehicle and the records held by the DVLA had not yet been updated
• You did not commit an offence

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Do Fixed Penalty Notices affect insurance?

A Fixed Penalty Notice can increase your insurance premiums, especially if you’re a young or inexperienced driver. 

You must disclose these to keep your policy valid.

There are even accounts of insurance companies trying to claw back premiums when drivers forgot to notify them of an FPN.

If you have previous FPNs issued or a previous driving disqualification, you may need to find specialist insurance to get the best deal.

Need more help dealing with a Fixed Penalty Notice?

Still, have questions about a police FPN that wasn’t answered in this post?

It’s likely I’ve answered some of them in one of my many other blogs on these subjects, specifically our main Fixed Penalty Notice guide. 

Head there now to find answers to the most asked FPN queries.