Norway and Netherlands implement new traffic and parking fee regulations

In Norway, the Oslo District Court has ordered the invoicing firm Riverty to refund approximately 300 million NOK to motorists. The ruling follows a class-action lawsuit by the consumer organization Forbrukerrådet, which argued that various administrative fees—such as those for “pay later” or “park & go” services—were illegal because they exceeded actual costs. The decision affects over 6.3 million parking invoices, though the specific amount returned to each driver will vary.

Meanwhile, in the Netherlands, the government is proposing a significant increase in fines for running red lights. If implemented, the fine would rise to 330 euros, approximately 2,466 DKK. The proposal has faced criticism from advisory bodies like the Council of State, which argue that traffic fines should focus on changing driver behavior rather than serving as a revenue stream for the state. The new rates are scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2027.