Skip to main content
Youth Legal
Debt and Money Advice, Priority Debts· 3 min read

Priority Debt: Fixed Penalty Notices

A Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) is issued by the police or another authorised officer for offences like speeding or littering. This is a priority debt because not paying can lead to a court summons, an increased fine, a warrant for your arrest, or even imprisonment. Contact us for free advice.

Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs)

Getting a Fixed Penalty Notice can be stressful, especially if you are not sure what to do next or worried about the consequences. The good news is that you have options, but you need to act quickly.

A Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) is issued by the police or another authorised officer for offences like speeding or littering. This is a priority debt because not paying can lead to serious consequences, including prosecution and imprisonment.

If you have received a parking or bus lane fine (a Penalty Charge Notice), see our separate article on Penalty Charge Notices.

What happens if you do not pay

If you do not pay an FPN within the time given, this usually results in either:

  • A court summons, meaning you will have to attend court
  • The fine being registered with the court at an increased amount (typically one and a half times the original penalty)

If you still do not pay after that, the court can issue a warrant for your arrest, and you could be imprisoned for non-payment.

Challenging an FPN

If you believe the fine was issued in error, you must act quickly. You may be able to challenge it by:

  • Requesting a court hearing instead of paying the fixed penalty
  • Completing a witness statement or statutory declaration (a legal statement explaining why you believe the fine should not stand)

Valid reasons for challenging include:

  • You did not receive the original notice
  • You made formal representations but received no response
  • You appealed against a rejection but received no response
  • You already paid the penalty in full

You must act within the deadline specified on the notice or you will lose the right to challenge it.

Consequences of inaction

If not paid or challenged, a warrant of control may be issued. This allows bailiffs to visit your home to collect the debt, and additional fees will be added on top of the original fine.

What you can do

  • Act quickly. The sooner you deal with an FPN, the more options you have
  • Pay if you can. Paying within the time limit is the simplest way to resolve it
  • Challenge it if you believe it was issued in error
  • Contact us for advice. We can help you understand your options and what to do next

Get help

All our advice is free and confidential. You can also check your rights at GOV.UK or Citizens Advice.

Get Help