Drivers’ licences can be disqualified for failing to pay fines under e-ticketing system

Drivers who fail to pay their tickets, under the new automated e-ticketing system rolled out countrywide, could have their licences disqualified, according to updated laws.

These provisions are also applicable to tickets issued outside of the e-ticketing system.

Provision for non-payment of tickets is provided for under section 45J(4) of the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic (Amendment) Act 2024, which provides for the mutatis mutandis application of the specified provisions of Section 8 of the Summary Jurisdiction (Procedure) Act – more specifically sections 8(6) and 8(8).

Per section 8(8), where a person fails to pay their ticket/notice and fails to appear before the relevant court to answer the complaint made against them on the date specified in the notice, the court may proceed in accordance with sections 13 and 25 of the Summary Jurisdiction (Procedure) Act and the notice shall be treated as a summons.

Per section 13, the court may –

(a) proceed with an ex parte hearing;

(b) adjourn the hearing to a future date; or

(c) issue a warrant to apprehend the person to appear before the court to answer the complaint and further be dealt with according to the law.

Section 8A of the Summary Jurisdiction (Procedure) Act also makes provision for the court to issue an order for the disqualification of the person’s license until payment is made in the sum specified.

The sum shall not be less than the penalty prescribed for that offence under section 8 (2), plus one half of that amount per month for every month or part of each month following the date of disqualification until payment.

Where a disqualification order is made under this section –

(a) the clerk of the court shall send notice of the order to the Licensing Authority established under the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Act and to the Commissioner of Police;. and

(b) the disqualified person shall, on demand by any police constable, surrender his licence to the police constable.

Meanwhile, upon payment of the sum specified in subsection (2) to the clerk of the court, the disqualified person, shall apply for the return of his licence.

As per the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic (Amendment) Act 2024, the fine for speeding and failure to wear a seatbelt is $7,500 each.