Ok, I just went across the the infringements building across the road.

It wasn't anywhere near as bad as I was expecting.

The door was locked, so I stood there for a second wondering if they were open today, and then it was opened by the receptionist.

I went in, explained the situation, how I had tried to pay it, and then not received the letter/refund/reminder until a couple of days ago, after they were due, that I had tried to pay the reminder on the internet, but I couldn't, because it said I already had paid it, I couldn't pay at the post office, because it was overdue.

She asked me my license number, and which fine I was talking about.

I explained that I had contacted Queensland Transport with an alternate postal address, thinking it would effect all communications related to my license, but evidently not.

"Two $579 fines?" she asks,
"Do you still have your license?"
"Yes, I do" I reply.
"Are you sure? How?"
"It's an interstate license" I answered.

That made her quiet.

She said that it would have gone to State Debt Recovery, and there wasn't anything they could do at that point.

She was about to give me the number, when she decided to call someone else.

I think there had been an issue with getting some reminder notices out, effecting specific due dates, she asked the guy if the notice could be brought back from SDRO. It didn't sound promising, but when she got off the phone, she said they could get it back, if I could pay it as soon as possible.

I said I could pay it now, but they don't accept cash payments (gees! do you want me to pay this or not! I've tried to pay it three times, and you won't take my money, now, for the 4th time, you're still having problems taking it!).

I said I could go and pay it at the post office if they give me a new barcode. The woman called some other woman in, and she said something about a faxed credit card payment method, and she had to get a form for me to fill in.

While the other woman went to get the form, she asked me what sort of car it was, I told her it's a motorbike, but then said "I suppose it doesn't make any difference".

She then asked what I did for a living, "I'm an IT Consultant" I told her. "The money must be good" she commented. "Yes, it is" I replied.

The other woman came back with the "form", I was expecting some typical great long form with a million questions on it, but it was just basically:

Infringement number
Name
Credit card number
Credit card expiry
Credit card type
Amount
Signature

I was just about to start filling it in, and the woman joked that I should just give her like a thousand dollars to hang on to, and she can pay the next fine for me.

I filled the form in, and that was it. They didn't fax it or anything, gave me the reminder letter back, and said they'd sort it out.

I thought it was going to go up by $50 as a result of going to SDRO. That's what it was when I didn't pay a train fine on time, back in 2000. She told me it's $90 extra now. Jesus.

If someone had made no attempt to pay a fine, then I could understand going to SDRO and charging extra, but I tried to pay this, within a few days of getting the fine.

There was a stuff up, and then because they don't use the mailing address I advised Queensland Transport of, I don't get the reminder until after it's due. Argh.

At least it's sorted out now.

I might have to look at getting a proper mail redirection setup or something.