Do I really have to pay for school buses?
During vacation, it can happen in the blink of an eye: you might miss a “No Parking” or “Environmental Zone” sign in a foreign language, or drive a little too fast. But what should you do if you suddenly receive a letter from a foreign police department?
Instead of photos of picturesque landscapes or fine dining, you suddenly receive an expensive “souvenir” from your last vacation: you were caught speeding abroad—darn it! Should you pay right away to put the hassle behind you, or check it out first? Or better yet: just ignore it—it was abroad anyway, right? Not a good idea. Because whether you’re going 15 km/h over the speed limit abroad or parked illegally somewhere, in most cases you’ll have to pay. If you get a speeding ticket abroad, you can still be asked to pay up in Switzerland. This is based on bilateral agreements, and yes, unfortunately, these also apply to traffic fines.
However, not every ticket is automatically valid. It’s important to know exactly what you’re being accused of: where, when, and how fast you were going. If the ticket is unclear or important details are missing, it’s worth taking a closer look. In certain cases, you can file an appeal—especially if you weren’t the one driving or if the facts of the matter are unclear.
Be careful with suspicious payment demands as well. If a debt collection agency writes to you without naming an official authority, you should under no circumstances pay! Such letters may look official, but they have no legal basis. It’s better to check with the official authorities first. Not every fine is lawful, but many are. If you’re unsure or want to contest a fine, it’s best to consult experts.
*This content was created by the Autosprint editorial team in collaboration with Emilia. With Emilia’s digital legal protection insurance, you get easy and hassle-free access to legal assistance. Autosprint readers even get a 10 percent discount. Click here to view the offer.
