Dispute a fine or expiation
If you have received an expiation and feel that a mistake may have been made in issuing the fine, or there are other reasons you would like us to consider, you can dispute the fine.
If you were not the driver at the time the fine was issued, you can nominate the driver.
- Dispute a fine Dispute a fine
- View a photo of the offence View a photo of the offence
- Pay my fine Pay my fine
If a reminder notice has been received and the due date has passed, Council cannot consider an appeal as the matter has been transferred to the Fines Enforcement and Recovery Unit. Any enquiries after this stage need to be referred to the Fines Enforcement and Recovery Unit by phoning 1800 659 538
What you need before you start
- Expiation notice number
- Offence date
- Vehicle registration number
Go to Expiations self-service portal
- Enter the infringement details and click search
- Select Action
- Register – You need to create an account to use the self-service portal to lodge an appeal
- Complete the new user registration
- Actions - Lodge appeal
Include the following information when disputing an expiation
- Explain the grounds for the dispute
- Provide your current address, telephone number, date of birth and driver's licence number
- Include details of the expiation - eg reference number
- Include evidence to support your dispute
- Submit prior to the expiation due date
or
Complete the appropriate form below
Online forms
- Parking expiation notice dispute - online form
- Dog expiation notice dispute - online form
- Expiation notice dispute - online form - not parking or dog expiations
Download and print forms
- Parking expiation notice dispute form
- Parking expiation notice (disabled permit) dispute form
- Dog expiation notice dispute form
- Expiation notice dispute form - not parking or dog expiations
Return printed forms to: Civic Centre or post to: City of Tea Tree Gully, 571 Montague Road, Modbury 5092.
After your dispute has been received
- Council will acknowledge and assess your dispute.
- The expiation notice will be put 'on hold' while it is being assessed.
- You will receive written notification of the outcome with a new payment due date if applicable.
If you are not satisfied with the outcome of your first dispute, you are entitled to lodge a second dispute. The second dispute must be lodged using the appropriate form above and new evidence will be required. The notice will be put 'on hold' pending a decision. You will receive written notification of the outcome.
Allow one working day from expiation issue date to view expiation details and photographs.
You will need:
- the expiation notice number - appears at the top of your expiation notice
- vehicle registration number
- offence date
View a photo of your parking offence
The following information is available when viewing the photos:
- photo taken at time of offence
- date, time and location details
- type of offence.
Payment options for parking, dog and other Council expiations
Allow one working day from expiation issue date to view expiation details and photographs.
- Council's online services - Mastercard and Visa
- Telephone - 8397 7313 during office hours
- Cheques or money orders to City of Tea Tree Gully, 571 Montague Road, Modbury 5092
- In person at the Civic Centre
Payments should be made in full by the due date to avoid a late fee.
If you need a short extension of time to pay, please call us on 8397 7444
To spread your payment over a longer period of time, contact the Fines Enforcement and Recovery Unit on 1800 659 538 to make a payment arrangement.
If you were not driving the vehicle at the time of the offence you can nominate the driver, or if you were not the owner of the vehicle at the time of the offence, you can provide details of the new owner.
- If the expiation notice is issued for an offence under the Australian Road Rules, please complete a Nomination stating the name, address, date of birth and driver's licence number of the driver or the new owner.
- If the expiation notice is issued for an offence under the Private Parking Areas Act, please complete a Statutory Declaration stating the name, address, date of birth and driver's licence number of the driver or the new owner. The Statutory Declaration must be signed by a Justice of the Peace (JP). We have a JP on site who can assist with the statutory declaration form requirements. Find JP availability and times
Do not pay the expiation. A notice will be issued to the nominated driver or new owner once we have received the Nomination or Statutory Declaration and the expiation notice issued to you will be withdrawn.
After 28 days from the date of the expiation, Council will send a reminder notice with a late fee applied.
If payment has not been received by the reminder notice due date, the matter will be forwarded to the Fines Enforcement and Recovery Unit. You will be sent a notice from the Fines Unit advising that an Enforcement Determination has been made.
You can dispute the allegation in Court by electing to be prosecuted. Before going to Court, you can dispute the expiation notice.
If you choose to elect to go to Court it may cost you more than the original expiation amount. Before electing to be prosecuted, you can discuss this process by contacting the Compliance Team on 8397 7313.
Electing to be prosecuted means
- The original expiation notice will be withdrawn
- The decision to elect to be prosecuted is final. You can’t change your mind. You can't have the expiation notice reinstated or make payment after advising us of your decision
- We may ask you to confirm you choice to elect to be prosecuted
- We will arrange for the matter to be heard and determined in Court
- You may receive a summons requiring you to attend Court to contest the allegation.
To elect to be prosecuted you must either:
- Complete the Election to be Prosecuted form on the original expiation notice or reminder notice, or
- Submit an expiation notice dispute and indicate your intention to elect to be prosecuted. We need you to provide your reasons for electing to be prosecuted.
Tickets or fines are officially called expiation notices.
Expiation notices can be sent to you in the mail, handed to you or secured under your vehicle windscreen wiper blade.
Why have I received a parking expiation notice?
Parking restrictions exist to improve traffic flow and to ensure the safe and fair use of roads for the benefit of everyone. Parking restrictions are in line with the Australian Road Rules and are displayed on signage covering an area or space.
- It is the responsibility of the driver to read the parking signs each time they park in an area and before leaving their vehicle.
- An expiation notice will display the type of alleged offence.
How is the parking expiation issued?
A parking expiation can be physically handed to the driver, secured on the blade of the vehicle windscreen wiper, or can be sent by mail to the registered address of the vehicle.
Expiation fees are set by the State Government and apply to all councils. Fee increases are gazetted following the State Budget and take effect from 1 July each year.
Parking and Australian road rules
View the Australian Road Rules
The Driver’s Handbook provides an overview of the road rules in South Australia.
The information contained within this handbook helps to be better informed about road safety, road rules, licensing and vehicle registration.
Private parking areas
Council may provide services in relation to policing of the Private Parking Areas Act 1986 in private car parks within City of Tea Tree Gully. Parking expiations can be issued on private property if the owners and Council have made an agreement for Council enforcement in relation to that private parking area - eg shopping centre car parks. These car parks all display the appropriate signage.