Speeding is the most common driving
offence, with more than 100,000 drivers being pulled over or caught by cameras
every year. Some of these cases go to court, with varying outcomes for the
drivers. Penalties vary and courts treat each case individually and take any
mitigating circumstances into account.
offence, with more than 100,000 drivers being pulled over or caught by cameras
every year. Some of these cases go to court, with varying outcomes for the
drivers. Penalties vary and courts treat each case individually and take any
mitigating circumstances into account.
Here’s what you can expect if you’ve been caught speeding in the UK:
If you receive a Fixed Penalty Notice,
your maximum fine is £100 and you’ll probably get points on your licence. This
is usually for minor and first time offences. Drivers well over the speed
limit, or repeat offenders, will normally see their cases going to Court and
face the prospect of a heavier fine and up to six points or a ban being imposed.
your maximum fine is £100 and you’ll probably get points on your licence. This
is usually for minor and first time offences. Drivers well over the speed
limit, or repeat offenders, will normally see their cases going to Court and
face the prospect of a heavier fine and up to six points or a ban being imposed.
I think I was flashed by a speed camera, when will I know?
If you weren’t pulled over by the police
and informed about a fine or prosecution straight away then the police must
issue a Notice of Intended Prosecution so that it
arrives in the post at the address of the registered keeper within 14 days.
and informed about a fine or prosecution straight away then the police must
issue a Notice of Intended Prosecution so that it
arrives in the post at the address of the registered keeper within 14 days.
How many points?
Between 3-6 points depending on your
speed, the circumstances and your previous record.
speed, the circumstances and your previous record.
Can you get a ban?
If you accumulate 12 points on your
licence within three years, you’ll face the possibility of a totting-up ban of 6 months. Higher level speeding
offences can carry disqualification instead of points.
licence within three years, you’ll face the possibility of a totting-up ban of 6 months. Higher level speeding
offences can carry disqualification instead of points.
I was speeding, but
can I escape the fine?
can I escape the fine?
If you’re a first timer and you were just
over the speed limit – police will normally allow 10% over the speed limit plus
another 9mph– then you might be offered a speed awareness course if you haven’t
attended one within the previous three years. You’ll have to pay for the course
yourself, but you’ll avoid those points.
over the speed limit – police will normally allow 10% over the speed limit plus
another 9mph– then you might be offered a speed awareness course if you haven’t
attended one within the previous three years. You’ll have to pay for the course
yourself, but you’ll avoid those points.
Fixed Penalty
If there’s no speed awareness course
offered, you’ll probably get the fixed fine of £100 and three points. There’s
no court appearance and no other costs. You can’t reduce this fine and this
option doesn’t look at your mitigating circumstances or previous
record. You’ll have to accept the fine within 28 days or wait for your case to
proceed to Court instead.
offered, you’ll probably get the fixed fine of £100 and three points. There’s
no court appearance and no other costs. You can’t reduce this fine and this
option doesn’t look at your mitigating circumstances or previous
record. You’ll have to accept the fine within 28 days or wait for your case to
proceed to Court instead.
Court summons
If your offence is deemed too serious for
a Fixed Penalty Notice, you’ll be summonsed to court. The police have to start
proceedings within six months of the alleged offence.
a Fixed Penalty Notice, you’ll be summonsed to court. The police have to start
proceedings within six months of the alleged offence.
Can I ask for a speed awareness course instead?
The police decide if they can offer you a
speed awareness course and they tend to offer them to first-time offenders or
drivers just over the acceptable limits.
speed awareness course and they tend to offer them to first-time offenders or
drivers just over the acceptable limits.
How long will penalty points stay on my licence?
The points will stay on your licence for
three years from the date of the offence for totting up purposes. Your endorsement
will be removed from your driver record after 4 years but must be declared to
insurance companies for 5 years.
three years from the date of the offence for totting up purposes. Your endorsement
will be removed from your driver record after 4 years but must be declared to
insurance companies for 5 years.
I have a foreign driving licence – what happens?
You can still be prosecuted and you may
still have to go to court. You could face a fine, as well as penalty points
applied to a so-called “ghost licence” that the DVLA creates for you. You could
still face a ban in the same way as another driver and the points would remain
if you obtain a valid UK licence.
still have to go to court. You could face a fine, as well as penalty points
applied to a so-called “ghost licence” that the DVLA creates for you. You could
still face a ban in the same way as another driver and the points would remain
if you obtain a valid UK licence.
