There’s nothing that ruins your day quite as much as a letter from the DVLA enclosing a driving fine. But how do the penalties for the UK compare to the rest of the world?
GoCompare has researched 31 OECD member countries and analysed their lowest possible fines (with no added surcharges) based on:
- Speeding 21km/h over the limit
- Using a mobile phone while driving
- Driving a red light
Speeding
Norway is the most expensive place to be caught speeding, with a fine costing £584. The UK also makes the Top 5 list of most expensive places for speeding fines.
- Norway, £584
- Iceland, £426
- Estonia, £356
- United Kingdom, £338
- Australia, £322
- Sweden, £234
- Switzerland, £206
- Israel, £160
- Netherlands, £158
- Italy, £150
(Data is based on that the motorist committed the offence on a highway or motorway by driving 21 km/h above the maximum speed limit)
The monthly average salary of a person in the UK is £2,930.25 so the average person would have to work 2.50 days to pay back a speeding fine.
Using a mobile phone while driving
Canada’s penalty ranks as the most expensive, with a fine in British Columbia worth £215. The UK once again makes the Top 5 list, with a fine costing £200.
- Canada, £215
- Israel, £213
- Iceland, £213
- Netherlands, £205
- United Kingdom, £200
- Australia, £184
- Spain, £178
- Norway, £155
- Italy, £142
- Denmark, £137
In the UK, the average person would have to work 1.48 days to pay back the above fine, this is equivalent to 6.83% of the country’s average monthly salary.
Driving through a red light
Greece tops the ranks with a red light violation costing £622. The UK ranks 19th, with a fine costing £100.
- Greece, £622
- Norway, £620
- Israel, £319
- Slovenia, £267
- Sweden, £251
- Australia, £245
- Netherlands, £205
- Switzerland, £198
- Denmark, £182
- Estonia, £178
19. United Kingdom, £100
