Got a Speeding Fine or Speed Camera Infringement in Victoria - What Happens Now?

By James Stevens, Director and Solicitor, Go To Court Lawyers. Last reviewed 10 April 2026.

A speeding fine or speed camera infringement in Victoria can cost you hundreds of dollars and valuable demerit points that threaten your licence. You have 28 days from the issue date to either pay the fine or challenge it through the infringement notice review process. If you're considering challenging your fine, acting quickly is crucial - once you pay the fine, you generally cannot appeal it later.

The good news is that many speeding fines can be successfully challenged on technical, procedural, or identity grounds. With expert legal representation, drivers regularly have fines dismissed or reduced, saving both money and demerit points that could otherwise lead to licence suspension.

Do You Need a Lawyer?

You absolutely need a lawyer if you're facing licence suspension due to demerit points, if the fine involves serious speeding charges, or if you weren't the driver at the time. A traffic lawyer can identify technical defences you'd never spot yourself, such as improper camera calibration, inadequate signage, or procedural errors in how the infringement was issued.

Without legal representation, you're essentially arguing against trained prosecutors who handle these cases daily. They know every technical requirement and procedural step that must be followed. Studies show that legally represented drivers are 3-4 times more likely to successfully challenge speeding fines compared to self-represented individuals.

The stakes are particularly high if you're a commercial driver, hold a provisional licence, or are already close to losing your licence. A successful challenge can mean the difference between keeping your job and losing your livelihood. Even if you think your case is straightforward, prosecutors often withdraw charges when they see you have proper legal representation.

What Happens Next - The Process

1. Review your options within 28 days: You can pay the fine, request an internal review, or elect to have the matter heard in court. Missing this deadline severely limits your options.
2. Internal review (if applicable): Victoria Police or the issuing authority reviews your written objection. This process takes 28-60 days and is free, but success rates are low without compelling grounds.
3. Elect to go to court: File your election to have the matter heard at the Magistrates' Court of Victoria within 28 days. This preserves all your rights to mount a full defence.
4. Brief conference listing: Your matter is first listed for a brief conference at your local Magistrates' Court, typically 6-12 weeks after filing your election.
5. Prosecution disclosure: Police provide evidence including calibration records, operator training certificates, and photographic evidence. Your lawyer reviews this for technical defences.
6. Hearing or resolution: Many cases resolve at the brief conference stage when prosecutors identify weaknesses in their case. If not, a contested hearing is scheduled within 3-6 months.
7. Final hearing: A magistrate hears evidence and determines guilt. You can present technical defences, challenge evidence, or argue exceptional circumstances.

Time is critical in this process. Once you've paid the fine or missed the 28-day deadline, your options become extremely limited. Even requesting an internal review can complicate your position if not handled properly.

The Law in Victoria

Speeding offences in Victoria are governed by the Road Safety Act 1986 and the Road Safety Road Rules 2017. The penalties are substantial and increase with the severity of the offence.

Current penalty ranges include:

• Less than 10km/h over: $206 fine, 1 demerit point
• 10-24km/h over: $330 fine, 3 demerit points
• 25-34km/h over: $413 fine, 6 demerit points
• 35-44km/h over: $579 fine, 6 demerit points plus possible licence suspension
• 45km/h or more over: $826 fine, immediate licence suspension, court appearance required

The Infringements Act 2006 governs the administrative process for challenging fines. Under Section 22, you have the right to elect to have any infringement heard in court rather than accepting the penalty. This is a fundamental right that many drivers don't realise they have.

Speed cameras must comply with strict technical standards under the Road Safety (General) Regulations 2019. Cameras require regular calibration, proper signage, and trained operators. Any deviation from these requirements can invalidate the infringement.

Mistakes to Avoid

1. Paying the fine immediately: Many drivers pay fines quickly to "get it over with," not realising this constitutes an admission of guilt that cannot usually be reversed. Even if you think you were speeding, technical defences might still apply.

2. Nominating the wrong driver: If you weren't driving, you must nominate the actual driver using the official process. Simply writing a letter isn't sufficient, and mistakes in the nomination process can result in additional penalties for both you and the actual driver.

3. Missing the 28-day deadline: This is the most common and costly mistake. Extensions are rarely granted, and once this deadline passes, you lose most of your rights to challenge the fine. Calendar the deadline immediately and seek legal advice well before it expires.

4. Requesting an internal review without understanding the implications: Internal reviews have very low success rates and can sometimes strengthen the prosecution's case by clarifying their evidence. This option should only be used in specific circumstances with clear grounds for review.

5. Representing yourself at court: Magistrates hear dozens of traffic cases daily, and self-represented defendants rarely understand the technical requirements needed to mount successful defences. Prosecutors are trained lawyers who know exactly how to present their case effectively.

Likely Outcomes and Costs

With experienced legal representation, approximately 60-70% of contested speeding cases result in either complete dismissal or significant penalty reduction. Success rates are highest for technical defences involving camera calibration, signage issues, or procedural errors.

Common successful outcomes include:

• Complete dismissal: All charges withdrawn, no fine, no demerit points, no conviction recorded
• Penalty reduction: Lower fine amount, reduced demerit points, or conviction recorded without penalty
• Alternative penalties: Community service instead of licence suspension for serious offences
• Exceptional circumstances finding: Fine waived due to emergency or other compelling circumstances

Legal costs typically range from $1,500 to $4,000 for a contested hearing, depending on complexity. This investment often pays for itself through avoided fines, preserved demerit points, and prevented licence suspension. For commercial drivers or those facing licence loss, the financial benefit of keeping your licence far outweighs legal costs.

Self-represented defendants face success rates of only 15-25%, and even when successful, they rarely achieve the best possible outcome. Magistrates appreciate properly prepared legal arguments and are more likely to consider technical defences when presented by experienced traffic lawyers.

Most cases resolve within 4-6 months, though complex matters involving expert evidence on camera accuracy can take longer. The process moves more quickly when you have legal representation because lawyers understand court procedures and can efficiently present your case.

How Go To Court Lawyers Can Help

Go To Court Lawyers has successfully challenged thousands of speeding fines across Victoria using our network of 800+ lawyers who specialise in traffic law. Our lawyers appear daily in Magistrates' Courts throughout Victoria, from Melbourne to regional centres like Geelong, Ballarat, and Bendigo.

We offer a fixed-fee consultation where our traffic lawyers will review your infringement, identify all possible defences, and explain your realistic chances of success. We've achieved a 4.5-star rating from 780+ client reviews because we provide honest advice about your prospects and never encourage you to fight unwinnable cases.

Our lawyers routinely identify technical defences that untrained eyes miss, including:

• Camera calibration and maintenance record deficiencies
• Inadequate or non-compliant speed limit signage
• Procedural errors in how the infringement was issued
• Operator training and certification issues
• Emergency or exceptional circumstances defences

Time is running out on your 28-day deadline. Don't risk your licence or waste money paying a fine you might successfully challenge. Call 1300 636 846 now for immediate advice from a traffic law specialist, or book your fixed-fee consultation online at gotocourt.com.au/book.

Our 24/7 hotline means you can get urgent help even outside business hours. With offices across Victoria and lawyers appearing in every Magistrates' Court, we're ready to fight your speeding fine and protect your driving privileges. Contact us today - your licence and your money are worth the call.