The Graduated Fixed Penalties and Deposits Scheme was introduced by the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) in 2009. It extends the previous fixed penalty scheme used by police forces in England, Wales and Scotland.

At present, fixed penalty notices are only issued to drivers for offences that are being committed at the time of the inspection. They are being used to deal with the majority of drivers' hours, excess weight and vehicle condition offences, unless the offences are considered too serious or the number of offences too numerous.

Enforcement officers from VOSA can now issue fixed penalties. Previously, only police officers had the power to do this. In addition, a deposit against a fine can be taken from drivers who cannot provide evidence of a UK address.

Under the new scheme, some penalties you will face are graduated - in up to four levels - according to the circumstances or severity of the offence.

For example, if your vehicle is found to be exceeding its maximum permitted axle weight, the following penalties would apply:

• 5 to 10 percent over weight - £60 fine
• 10 to 15 percent over weight - £120 fine
• 15 to 30 percent over weight - £200 fine
• more than 30 percent over weight - court summons

For drivers' hours offences, the penalties for exceeding your maximum driving time are:

• up to an hour - £60 fine
• between one and two hours - £120 fine
• two or more hours - £200 fine

For more information about the fixed penalty scheme: Download: Vosa Fixed Penalties and Financial DepositsFor a complete list of offences and penalty fine levels: Download: Vosa Enforcement Sanctions Endorsements to your driving licence Some offences will result in points being added to your driving licence (endorsements), as well as the fixed penalty notice. For example, if your vehicle is found to have defective brakes, you'll be given a £60 fixed penalty notice (level 2) and three points on your licence.
What happens if you're given a fixed penalty

If you have a satisfactory UK address and are given a fixed penalty notice, you'll have 28 days from the date of issue to either pay the fine or ask for a court hearing.

In Scotland, if you are handed a conditional offer, you have 28 days from the date of issue to pay the fine. After this period the matter will automatically be referred to the Procurator Fiscal for consideration of prosecution.

If the offence is an endorsable one, you must present your licence within 14 days. If you accept the penalty and pay the fine, the points will be added to your licence.

If you don't have a UK address

If you are given a fixed penalty, but aren't able to give the VOSA enforcement officer details of a satisfactory UK address, ie one where you can be contacted, you will have to pay a financial penalty deposit.

This will be the value of all fixed penalty notices issued or, if against attendance at court, £300 per offence. In both cases, the maximum deposit will be £900. The money will be used to pay the fixed penalties or held against any fines imposed by a court. You will be refunded any money left over from your deposit after the fines have been paid.

If you don't pay the deposit, your vehicle will be given a prohibition notice and will be immobilised until the payment is made.

For more information, on vehicle immobilisation:

Download: Vosa Guide to Vehicle Immobilisation