Police said a German driver “clearly thought he was on the autobahn” as he sped past their patrol car at 120mph on the M20.

The motorist was clocked by officers travelling at 50mph over the speed limit as he headed for the Port of Dover.

The German autobahn is a highway similar to a motorway, and much of it has no speed limit.

When officers caught up with the driver, he was slapped with a £500 fine - which he was obliged to pay on the spot.

Kent Police’s roads unit tweeted today: “German-registered vehicle clearly thought he was on the autobahn today as it flew past RPU4, vehicle actually on the M20 en-route to the port.

“Vehicle stopped and driver paid the £500 penalty.”

Graduated fixed penalty notices, which can vary depending on the severity of the offence, are issued to offenders with non-UK addresses.

They are required to pay it on the spot or their vehicle is chained up until it can be paid.

The money is treated as a deposit, and the driver can opt to go to court and challenge it later if they wish.