Fare Evasion and Criminal Records: What It Means for Jobs, Visas and Your Future

Many people see fare evasion — travelling without a valid ticket — as a minor issue, but in the UK, it is a criminal offence that can have serious and lasting consequences. If you are caught and prosecuted, you could end up with a criminal record, which can affect your employment, ability to travel, and even your personal reputation.

Here’s what you need to know.

1. Fare Evasion as a Criminal Offence

In England and Wales, fare evasion can be prosecuted under:

• The Regulation of Railways Act 1889
• The Byelaws of the relevant transport provider
• The Fraud Act 2006 (in more serious cases)

A conviction can result in a fine, court costs, and — in rare cases — imprisonment. The bigger issue for many people, however, is the criminal record that follows.

2. How a Criminal Record Is Created

If you are convicted of fare evasion in court, the conviction is recorded on the Police National Computer (PNC). This becomes part of your criminal record and will show up on certain background checks, depending on the level of disclosure requested.

In some cases, train companies may offer an out-of-court settlement, which avoids a conviction. This is why it’s important to act quickly and seek advice before the matter reaches court.

3. Impact on Employment

A criminal record for fare evasion can have a direct impact on your job prospects:

• Basic DBS checks will show unspent convictions, which some employers use in recruitment decisions.
• Standard and Enhanced DBS checks (common in education, healthcare, and finance) will show both spent and unspent convictions for certain roles.
• Employers in sectors requiring high trust — such as law, banking, and security — may view any dishonesty-related conviction as a serious issue.

Even if your current employer does not require checks, you may be contractually obliged to disclose convictions.

4. Effect on Travel and Visas

Many countries ask about criminal convictions on visa applications. For example:

• USA: You may be ineligible for the Visa Waiver Program and need to apply for a visa instead.
• Australia, Canada, and New Zealand: Convictions can affect entry requirements and may require a special visa.
• Some countries consider the nature of the offence, and fare evasion (a dishonesty offence) can be viewed more seriously than some minor driving offences.

Even if your current employer does not require checks, you may be contractually obliged to disclose convictions.

5. Long-Term Consequences

Under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, most fare evasion convictions become “spent” after a set period, meaning they no longer need to be disclosed for most jobs. However:

• The time before a conviction is spent depends on the sentence.
• For roles requiring Enhanced DBS checks, spent convictions can still be disclosed.
• Some overseas immigration systems ask about any convictions, regardless of when they occurred.

6. How to Avoid a Criminal Record

• Act quickly if you receive a letter or interview request from a train company.
• Negotiate settlement where possible to avoid prosecution.
• Seek legal advice before responding — early intervention can make a big difference.

7. Final Thoughts

Fare evasion might seem minor, but a conviction can follow you for years — affecting jobs, visas, and travel. If you’re facing investigation, take it seriously. The cost of legal advice or a settlement is almost always far less than the long-term impact of a criminal record.