DVSA penalty changes come into force tomorrow - offences that could lead to a roadside fine

The DVSA is shaking things up by switching the company it uses to process payments for roadside fines from tomorrow (May 28), meaning motorists will be able to use Apple Pay and Pay to settle their fines.

You’ll be able to use your smartphone at the roadside to pay for offences like:

• fixed penalties for vehicle defects and other offences, such as breaking the rules around drivers’ hours
• immobilisation fees
• court deposits

This revamp means the payment interface for plastic card transactions will get a fresh look. But luckily, users don’t need to adapt the way they make payments, and many might not even spot the change.

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But the addition of Apple Pay and Google Pay options could streamline the process considerably. A DVSA spokesman has said: "Many people will find this quicker and easier than a standard card payment, especially when using a mobile phone."

In the UK, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) can give roadside fines (also known as Fixed Penalty Notices, or FPNs) for a variety of offenses related to how roadworthy your vehicle is, if you're abiding by driver hour regulations, and licensing —applicable to UK-based and international motorists alike, according to .

Some common reasons for receiving a DVSA roadside fine include:

Driver’s Hours and Tachograph Offences

• Exceeding daily or weekly driving time limits.

• Not taking required breaks or rest periods.

• Failing to use a tachograph.

• Using a defective or tampered tachograph.

• Falsifying or failing to produce tachograph records.

Vehicle Roadworthiness

• Driving with defective brakes, tyres, lights, suspension, or steering.

• Dangerous load securing or overloaded vehicles.

• Failure to carry out proper daily walkaround checks.

• Operating an unroadworthy vehicle (may result in a prohibition as well as a fine).

Licensing and Documentation

• Driving without a valid driver’s licence or correct entitlements (e.g., no HGV licence).

• Operating without a valid Operator’s Licence.

• No MOT certificate (if required).

• Lack of vehicle insurance or road tax.

• Failure to produce required documentation (e.g. vehicle registration, insurance).

Weight and Load Offences

• Overloading axles or gross vehicle weight.

• Incorrect or dangerous load securing.

• Incorrect use of trailers.

Emissions and Mechanical Defects

• Emissions tampering (e.g., AdBlue cheat devices or DPF removals).

• Using a vehicle that does not meet emissions standards.

Driver Conduct and Road Safety

• Using a mobile phone while driving.

• Driving without wearing a seatbelt.

• Poor vehicle condition leading to immediate prohibition.

• Excessive vehicle noise or emissions.

Fines and Penalties

• Fines can range from £50 to £300 per offence, depending on severity.

• Multiple fines can be issued at once (e.g., for both driver hours and vehicle defects).

• In serious cases, vehicles may be immobilised until issues are resolved or fines are paid.

• Foreign drivers/operators may be required to pay on-the-spot deposits.