What happens if I get a fine in my rented car?

Getting any kind of fine while driving can be a bit of a nightmare, especially if you didn’t have any reason to suspect one might be coming. We know that it can be particularly unnerving when you receive a fine after hiring a car, because it can come with the worries about additional (possibly expensive) consequences.

So, you might be relieved to know that it doesn’t necessarily have to be that complex or worrying if you receive a fine from when you were driving one of our vehicles here at Intack Self Drive. (Not unless you’re a serial offender – but we know it’s very unlikely that you will be!) Most of the time, it’s fairly simple to resolve, even if it’s an unwelcome letter to get in the first place.

Here's how it all works.

How fines are issued to rental cars

Fines can come from various sources, depending on the type of offence. Parking fines are usually issued by local councils or private car park operators, while speeding tickets and congestion charges are handled by government agencies. Authorities issue these penalties based on the car’s registration details, and since rental cars are registered in our name here at Intack Self Drive, any fines related to the car are initially sent to us rather than directly to the driver.

Speeding tickets and parking tickets make up a fair proportion of these (as you’d probably expect them to), but it also includes automatic camera-detected offences such as bus lane violations and congestion zone breaches. When this happens, we have to take action to ensure the fine reaches the correct driver.

What happens if I get a fine in a rental car?

If you’re issued with a fine when you’re driving a car, van or minibus you’ve hired from us, most of the time you won’t know instantaneously (although sometimes you might realise it just afterwards – for example, that sinking realisation that you’ve driven in a bus lane).

Most of the time, these tickets come through days or weeks after the offence. Even though we own the vehicle in question, the ultimate liability rests with the driver, so ultimately, you’ll be responsible for paying it. We’ll generally handle it in one of two ways:

Transferring liability (our preferred method)

• If an offence is committed, we’ll receive a fine by post
• We will then formally transfer liability to the named driver (whether that’s you or someone else), and notify you of the fact we’re doing so
• The issuing authority will then be in touch with more detailed information on how to get the amount settled
• We’ll generally do this with speeding tickets and similar fines

In the rare circumstances where transferring liability isn’t feasible, and we may be initially required to settle the fine ourselves, we will instead defer to our claim recovery process.

Claim recovery

• We receive a fine by post
• If we are required to settle it immediately, we will do so
• We will then notify the named driver, and pass on any charges associated with the fine. This will include an administration fee

Once you’ve received a formal notice from us, it’s really important not to delay acting on it. At that point, as far as the authority is concerned it’s your responsibility to pay the fine within the given timeframe to avoid additional charges or enforcement action.

It’s also worth noting that some fines offer a discount for early payment, so handling them as soon as possible can reduce the overall cost. Delays in responding to the fine can lead to higher charges, so we strongly advise paying any penalties as soon as they are received.

As we’ve covered, it’s obviously not an ideal situation for anyone involved, but we’ll always try and make things as straightforward and stress-free for you as possible. So then, if you have any questions or need any information at any stage, don’t hesitate to ask a member of our team.

Will I be charged for entering the ULEZ in an Intack car?

London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) is designed to discourage the use of vehicles that do not meet strict emissions standards, so any vehicle entering the zone that does not meet these emissions standards will be subject to daily charges for entering the zone.

However, if you’re planning to hire a car or van from us to drive in the ULEZ, you don’t need to worry. Almost every car and van in our fleet is fully ULEZ compliant, so you won’t be charged for driving within the zone. We have made sure all our cars meet the required emissions standards, so you can travel freely in London without facing any additional costs – whether you’re renting for business or leisure.

Our top tips to avoid fines while renting

Some fines can be difficult to predict, but there are simple ways to reduce your chances of receiving one. Obviously, cities are the biggest hotspots for potentially earning fines or penalty charges – especially since they can be quite unintuitive to navigate sometimes. Here’s what we’d suggest to minimise your chances.

• Check parking restrictions. Always read the signs before leaving your car, especially in unfamiliar areas. Some restrictions change depending on the time of day.
• Stick to speed limits. It’s quite tempting to nudge that needle up a couple more notches when you’re in a hurry, but it’s not worth the risk. Speed cameras are widespread, and limits can change quickly between different areas. Keep an eye on road signs to stay within the legal limit.
• Check for congestion charges. If you’re driving in a city, it’s a good idea to check whether you’re entering a congestion zone. Paying in advance or on the day can help avoid extra charges.
• Watch out for bus lanes. Many drivers are caught out by bus lane restrictions, especially in city centres. Make sure you're in the correct lane to avoid automatic penalties.

That’s all the essentials covered! Sometimes, having that extra bit of knowledge can go a long way towards helping you with that peace of mind - and our staff know that better than anyone here at Intack Self Drive. If you ever get into a tricky situation (or something that feels like one) with one of our cars or vans, don’t hesitate to give us a call – we’ll always be happy to provide as much advice as we can.

And of course, if you ever have any more general questions about car hire or van hire, we can answer those too! Our fleet has more than 500 vehicles to choose from, including cars, vans and minibuses – so whatever you need, we've got you covered! We offer both daily hire and weekly hire options, and if you’re not quite sure how long you’ll need the car, don’t worry! Our flexi hire gives you the freedom and flexibility to choose what works best for you.