TV Licensing
- Visits, prosecutions and finesLink for Visits, prosecutions and fines
- / Paying any fines
Paying any fines
If the courts find you guilty, the magistrates will decide the level of fine. You may have to pay a maximum fine of up to £1,000 (up to £2,000 if you live in Guernsey).
You might also have to pay:
- If you live in England or Wales
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- A victim surcharge of 40% of the fine.
- Prosecution costs of around £120.
- If you live in Scotland, the Channel Isles or Isle of Man
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Loss of revenue costs requested by us.
- If you live in Northern Ireland
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- An offender levy of £15.
- Loss of revenue costs requested by us.
- Prosecution costs of at least £25.
You’ll also still need to buy a TV Licence if you need one.
Need this translated?
Call us on 0300 790 6044* if you want to speak to someone about this in another language.
You cannot be sent to prison for a TV Licensing conviction
But the court may decide to send you to prison for deliberately refusing to pay your court fines.
Please contact the court in your region to pay your fine.
You’ll find the telephone number for the court on the letter you’ll receive. The letter may come from the court or an enforcement officer.
- If you live in England or Wales
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You can also pay a court fine online. You just need your ‘notice of fine’. And a debit or credit card. Lost your notice? Please contact the court that gave you the fine.
You can also pay a court fine by phone:
Call 0300 790 9901 to pay a fine in England.
- If you live in Scotland, Northern Ireland, Isle of Man or Channel Islands
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Please contact the court using the details on the letter you received from them. We can’t provide a telephone number unfortunately, as letters are sent by the courts.
*Calls to our 0300 numbers cost no more than a national rate call to an 01 or 02 number, whether from a mobile or landline. If you get inclusive minutes, calls to an 0300 number will be included free of charge.