Apply to go to court for a fine

Introduction

If you received a fine (fine notice, fine reminder notice or overdue fine), you can apply to have the matter heard and decided in court.

When to apply

You need to apply before the due date on your fine reminder notice.

If you paid your fine before the overdue date, you have 90 days from the date the fine was issued to go to court.

If your fine is overdue, see Apply to go to court for an overdue fine.

Other options

Before applying to go to court you should consider:

• requesting a review, or
• nominating the person responsible (if applicable).

If you're having difficulty paying your fine, you can:

• set up a payment plan
• apply for a fine reduction
• request a Work and Development Order
• apply to have your fine written-off.

Visit the NSW Government website for a step-by-step guide: Apply to go to court for a fine.

Eligibility

You can apply to have the matter heard and decided in court if you are:

• the person named on the fine notice
• the vehicle owner if there's no name on the notice, or
• the authorised representative of the person named on the notice and have completed the form – Authority to Act.

What you need

To apply to go to court you need:

• your name, date of birth and driver licence details
• your residential address (PO boxes are not accepted) to post your Court Attendance Notice (CAN)
• your fine notice number
• the date of the offence.

Seatbelt offences

For camera-detected seatbelt offences you must nominate the driver for both driver and passenger fines. The driver is responsible for making sure everyone in the vehicle is wearing a seatbelt, or child restraint, and wearing it properly.

Visit the Transport for NSW website for more information on camera-detected seatbelt offences.

How to apply

1. Select the 'Go to myPenalty' button.
2. Follow the prompts to complete your application.

If you cannot apply online

To apply in writing you can either:

1. Complete the:
   1. Request to Have a Fine Decided in Court Form – Individual – PDF, or
   2. Request to Have a Fine Decided in Court Form – Organisation – PDF (if you're applying as a company).
2. Put a request in writing and send it by post to:
   Revenue NSW
   PO Box 786
   Strawberry Hills NSW 2012
   
   If you make a request in writing, you must include:
   • your full name
   • date of birth
   • fine reference number
   • your residential address and
   • any hindrance documents if required (to prove that you were prevented from paying or managing your fine before the due date).

What happens next

• Your application may take up to 6 weeks to assess from the date you submit it. Your fine will be placed on hold while your application is being assessed.
• After you submit your application you can check if a CAN has been posted to you by visiting the online service.
• The court may apply additional costs when the matter is decided.