Things To Do if You Get a Traffic Fine in a Rental Car

You can dispute a traffic fine if you believe it was a mistake. First, go through your rental agreement to find out the deadline and process for filing an appeal.

Getting a traffic fine while driving a rental car can dampen your travel spirits. Whether it’s a speeding ticket or a parking violation, dealing with a fine is the last thing you want to do on a vacation. It can happen that you accidentally break traffic rules and get a traffic fine, especially in an unfamiliar place. There are several ways to handle these situations without letting them ruin your trip. In this article, you’ll learn how different rental companies deal with these fines and how you can avoid them in the first place.

Dealing with a traffic fine during your rental

Each rental company has its own way of handling traffic fines. Some companies often pay the fine directly on your behalf and then charge you for the fine. Others directly charge the credit or debit card listed on your rental agreement.

If you get caught speeding or running a red light, a fine will be sent to the rental car company because they are the registered owner of the vehicle. Some rental companies will then check who was driving at the time and pass on your details to the authorities, letting you pay the fine directly. Alternatively, there are companies that’ll cover the fine themselves and then charge your credit or debit card. Either way, it’s always best to settle the fine as soon as possible.

Unexpected admin fees on your rental bill

Admin fees are charged when the rental company has to fix something or pay something on your behalf. These fees are often charged on top of damage and traffic fines. So if you’re being charged admin fees, it’s probably because your rental company paid a traffic fine for you. A few companies charge the admin fee as a percentage rate noted in the rental agreement, while others charge an additional fixed amount.

Since admin charges usually come with penalty fees, the best way to avoid them is to steer clear of situations that lead to those penalties in the first place.

Disputing a traffic fine

You can dispute a traffic fine if you believe it was a mistake. First, go through your rental agreement to find out the deadline and process for filing an appeal. Once you know what to do, you’ll need to contact the authorities directly – no need to involve the rental car company at this point. When you dispute the fees, however, it’s still a good idea to inform the rental company so that they can gather evidence to support your claim.

If you weren’t driving the car when the violation happened, check the rental dates with the company. Once it’s settled that you weren’t responsible, the rental company should refund you both the fine and the admin fees.