A traffic fine in the mail never feels like good news, whether it’s a speeding ticket or a red-light camera notice. But before you resign yourself to paying up the cash, even if you knew the fine was unfair. What if the fine was a mistake, or your actions were due to a genuine, one-off circumstance?
The good news is that you have the right to request a review, and the process is more accessible than you might think. Having a parking fine reviewed isn’t about trying to “get away with it”; it’s about ensuring fairness. Cars24 is here to navigate the process together for residents of New South Wales (NSW).
Manage your fines online
Good news! You can now add your fines to your MyServiceNSW account, making it easier to track and manage them online.
Getting leniency for your parking fines
If you’ve had your driver’s licence for more than 10 years and maintain a clean driving record, you could be eligible to have your fine reduced to a caution on some offences. Exceptions apply if the offence was serious or posed safety risks.
Proving your driving record:
- If you’ve held a NSW licence for 10+ years, no evidence is needed.
- Interstate licences? You’ll need a certified driving record covering the past 10 years. Revenue NSW cannot accept international driving records.
How to request a traffic fine review
Revenue NSW’s Review Assist Guide is your starting point. It helps you:
- Identify if your fine qualifies for leniency
- Gather the right supporting documents
- Understand common reasons fines may or may not be reduced
You can request a review for any traffic or parking fine, and if you weren’t the driver at the time, you can nominate the person responsible. In many cases, you can even view a camera image of the offence for more context.
Special circumstances
Revenue NSW takes personal situations seriously. If you were dealing with:
- A medical emergency or illness (including mental health)
- Personal hardship or trauma
you can submit supporting documents from your doctor, hospital, or a relevant support agency.
Serious offences
Not all fines are equal. Serious traffic offences, like running a red-light, using a mobile phone while driving, high-speed incidents, or school zone violations, may not qualify for leniency. That said, you can still request a review, even if leniency isn’t guaranteed.
How to submit your fine for review
You can submit a review request online via myPenalty or myEnforcement, or by post using the official form. Make sure to include proof of identification: address, date of birth, and licence number.
Postal Address:
Revenue NSW
PO Box 786
Strawberry Hills NSW 2012
Submit your request before the fine’s due date to avoid extra costs.
What happens next?
Once submitted, your fine is put on hold while Revenue NSW investigates. They’ll review your documents, consider the seriousness of the offence, and may contact you or the issuing authority for more details.
Typical response time: 21 days (complex cases may take longer).
Possible outcomes
- Fine to stand: The fine is valid; you’ll need to pay it.
- Caution: You are responsible, but leniency is granted; no payment required.
- No action: The fine was issued in error; cancelled with no impact on your driving record.
- Cancelled: The issuing authority withdrew the fine.
If you disagree with the outcome, you can either submit a new review with extra information or apply to have your matter heard in court.
Navigating fines doesn’t have to be a stressful ride. By knowing your eligibility, providing the right documents, and understanding the review process, you could save yourself money and maybe even keep your driving record squeaky clean.
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