Letter from collection agency – bizarre national confusion after driving without a vignette

It was mid-August when a woman from Wulkaprodersdorf in Hungary was driving. “Usually I know the way, but that day I relied on the navigation,” she says. And then it happened: the digital signpost pointed them to the autobahn. It was only a short stretch, but it was already too late. Because she didn’t have a vignette.

The punishment came months later
The trip had no consequences for the time being. Weeks passed before a letter landed in the 57-year-old’s mailbox at the end of November. The very source of the letter made her suspicious. This was sent from Sweden, she reports. Inside the envelope was a letter from a collection agency in London, UK. The driver was informed of her violation and requested a payment of 117 euros – to a German account. Alternatively, a Hungarian bank account was also provided.

Lots of question marks
Since it all seemed strange to her, she started calling around. In Hungary she was told that traffic violations by foreigners always went directly to collection agencies. Even the phone call to the British company shed little light on the matter. “The connection was bad, I barely understood anything.” And further: “Are there no collection agencies in Hungary?”

Double the fine
The amount demanded also causes annoyance: 41.82 euros is the fine. As an “administrative effort” there is an additional 76 euros – almost double! If payment is not made within 60 days, a total of 235.43 euros is due (see fax).

“I understand the fine, but why is it so high and why are four countries doing it?” She has now turned against the data protection authority.