Speeding Ticket on International DL

[kenfrapin]

Hi,

I have gone through a lot of posts and theres mention of many scenarios of speeding ticket but not clear for International license holders.

While legally driving on Int DL in May 2008, I was given a ticket for going at 42mph in a 35mph zone. As there is no record with DVLA, all fines for International License holders are sent to Court.

By the time they sent the letter to my address in June 2008, I had shifted resulting in me not knowing about this. Anyway, it went to court, got upheld and got another letter stating I must pay £120 mid July 2008. Luckily, by this time, my collegue moved into my old appartment and informed me and I duly paid the £120.

So my question is
1. Is this a criminal conviction. Im guessing yes as the court made me pay the fine
2. Does this fall under minor offence and hence considered spent after 1 year from date of conviction or does it fall under 5 years?
3. It would not have gone to court and I would have got a Fixed Penalty had it been a UK license or if normal process was followed. So it look unfair to get a conviction for a speeding offence when others with UK licenses would not get the same treatment.


Thanks
KP