We rented a car from Avis in France this fall and received a charge of 43 Euros on our VISA card after our return. We inquired with VISA to find out that Avis is charging us for an administrative charge in connection with a traffic violation and it cannot be disputed. We were not stopped by French traffic police and have received NO notice of violation. Has anyone else had this happen to them?
Posted by
Bainbridge Island
3115 posts
This will be a traffic camera ticket, perhaps for speeding or other violation. Traffic cameras are very common in Europe.
You will receive the ticket eventually.
Posted by
Chicago
8079 posts
Sometimes the police don't follow through with mailing the ticket -- usually they do and it can take as much as a year. We are very careful but have received a few over the years, eventually. The rental car charge is ridiculously high -- basically it is another cost center for them -- they charge it because they can.
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23302 posts
If you have spent much time on this site, you should have seen a many postings on this subject. More common in Italy than elsewhere but not unknown. The administrative charge is high but you agreed to it in the rental agreement you signed. It cannot be disputed because you agreed to it. And you may get more than one if you have more violations. And you may not get a ticket. Italy is especially aggressive in pursuing traffic tickets. Other countries not so much. Just add it to the cost of transportation. Good luck.
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area
5697 posts
Our speed violation notice came from France within a few months -- with clear instructions on how to pay via credit card using their website (see the English language version). By the time the mailed notice arrived we had only about a week to pay without additional charges. But at least they built the mailing delay in...
Posted by
OP
Seattle, WA, USA
12 posts
Thank you to so many who responded to my inquiry. I am feeling a combination of being a bit naive and truly fortunate that this has not happened to us before in the 35+ years of our travels abroad while renting cars. Well, there was that time in Turkey in the mid-90's getting a speeding ticket but it was a very democratic situation - everyone got a ticket (while trying to pass vegetable truck on a two-lane road, locals and tourists alike) and we had to stop and pay cash before being able to drive on. The police were very efficient, expedient and polite.
Happy New Year and Many Thanks To All~
Naomi