Speeding Offences

Speeding offences in England and Wales are much different from other countries where some offences are not considered criminal. A speeding offence in England and Wales is one of the easiest ways to damage your credit history, immigration history etc.

That is why if you are a subject to any speeding offence proceedings you are strongly advised to get help from a legal professional. Dillex Solicitors are happy to provide you legal advice regarding any speeding penalties.

Speeding penalties

The minimum penalty for speeding is a £100 fine and 3 penalty points added to your licence.

You could be disqualified from driving if you build up 12 or more penalty points within a period of 3 years, so you need to check your licence to ascertain whether you have any points or not.

If you are caught by a speed camera

Within 14 days of your car being caught speeding you’ll be sent a:

• Notice of Intended Prosecution (NIP), and
• Section 172 notice

You must return the Section 172 notice within 28 days, telling the police who was driving the car.

You may have to go to court if you ignore the notice. It might become a criminal case of perverting the course of justice if you mislead the police regarding the identity of the driver.

After you’ve sent the Section 172 notice back, you’ll be sent either a:

• Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN), or
• letter telling you to go to court.

If you are stopped by the police

If you are stopped by the police, they can:

• give you a verbal warning,
• give or send you an FPN,
• order you to go to court - you’ll be sent a letter telling you what to do

Getting a Fixed Penalty Notice

If you get an FPN you can choose to plead guilty or not guilty.

If you plead guilty

You will have to pay a £100 fine and have 3 points added to your licence, unless you’re given the option to attend a speed awareness course.

If you plead not guilty

You will have to go to court if you plead not guilty.

You can be fined more and get more penalty points if the court decides you are guilty of speeding.

The amount you are fined depends on what the speed limit was and how much over it you were driving. It is usually a percentage of your weekly income, up to a maximum of £1,000 (£2,500 if you were driving on a motorway).

You could also be disqualified from driving or have your licence suspended.