What Are The Outcomes Of Speeding On UK Roads?

Breaking the speed limit is against the law and it is the driver’s responsibility to know the speed limit at that given time. The only requirement for signposting limits is when they change from one section of road to another.

When a speeding offence is committed you will receive a notice of intended prosecution (NIP). You can receive this in two ways, firstly in the post if caught by a fixed speed camera or by a police of at the roadside.  

You must acknowledge these NIP’s, you will have 28days and if failure to do so will result is £1000 fine and 6 points.

Minor Offences

Minor speeding offences are usually resolved through a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN), which means you do not have to appear in court. A FPN for speeding will give you 3 penalty points on your licence and a £100 fine, though sometimes you will be offered the opportunity to attend a speed awareness course instead.

You can dispute these claims if you feel they are incorrect. If you did this it would mean you must attend court. If you can convince the court that you are correct then all charges are dropped. If it turns out that you are guiltily you are liable to increase in fine penalty and you must pay this.

Major Offences

Situations of excessive speeding, usually defined as breaking the speed limit by 20mph or more, may lead to prosecution. If you are prosecuted and convicted, you could receive a fine of up to £1,000, or £2,500 for motorway offences. You could also receive 3-6 points on your driving licence.

You will be summoned to court within 6 months. You have the options to plead ‘guilty’ or ‘not guilty’. If you plead ‘guilty’ you may have a reduced fine. However, if you plead ‘not guilty’ and you are proven in court then the fine could be raised by the judge.