All you need to know about speeding fines

1. What are the different speeding fines?

1.1. Minor offenses

If you think you have been flashed by a speed camera, you have to wait 14 days for it to be confirmed or not: that's how long the police have to issue a 'notice of intended prosecution', or NIP.

It is sent to the registered keeper of the vehicle - worth bearing in mind if you drive a company car.

For minor offenses, and if you're eligible, the police can offer the chance to take a speed awareness course, instead of issuing fines and penalty points. You have to pay for this - and it usually takes half a day - but it does help keep your license clean.

Whether you're eligible for an awareness course varies depending on which police force is handling your offense.

1.2. Serious offenses

Speed awareness courses are rarely offered for more serious speeding offenses. According to the National Driver Offender Retraining Scheme, "Most police forces offer a course to drivers who are caught speeding between 10% plus 2 and 10% plus 9 of the legal limit."

Beyond that upper limit usually calls for a minimum fine of £100 and three or six penalty points on your license.

The police give 28 days to nominate the driver and pay the penalty; points will then be issued against the driver's license.

If you don't reply within 28 days, the matter can be referred to court.

Very serious speeding offenses are referred to court anyway, where the penalty could be as high as £1000 - or £2500 if you were caught on a motorway.

If you collect more than 12 points in any three-year period, you face disqualification from driving; you can apply to have points removed after four years.

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1.3. Disqualification from driving

If you've been caught speeding and it's referred to the court, you could face an instant ban.

Generally, magistrates will only consider imposing a ban if you've been caught driving a significant amount above the speed limit.

So, according to the Band C fines: in a 30mph limit you'll need to be driving at more than 51mph, 66mph in a 40, 75mph in a 50, 85mph in a 60, and 100mph in a 70.

Bans generally range from 7 to 56 days depending on the seriousness of the offense.

In extreme cases, they could be as long as 120 days, and you'll need to reapply for your license once the ban is up.

You may need to resit your driving test, or even take an extended driving test.

The court does have some discretion around driving bans.

They'll take into account factors like the road conditions when you were caught speeding.

And you might also be shown some leniency if you were speeding for an emergency, or losing your license could cost you your job.

• How long do the police have to issue a speeding ticket?

  If you're caught breaking the speed limit by a fixed speed camera, you'll be issued with a Notice of Intended Prosecution (NIP) and a Section 172 notice within 14 days.

  If you're stopped by the police, they could issue a verbal warning or give you a Fixed Penalty Notice there and then.

• How many points is 20mph over the speed limit?

  That depends on the speed limit and the circumstances. For example, if you're caught going 40mph in a 20mph limit, the case is likely to be passed to a magistrate's court where you could face a heavy fine and driving ban.

  However, if you're caught at 90mph in a 70mph zone, you may get three points on your license. Avoid getting any points at all by respecting the speed limit of the road you're on.

• How much is a ticket for going 20 mph over?

  That depends on the speed limit and the circumstances. For example, if you're caught going 40mph in a 20mph limit, the case is likely to be passed to a magistrate's court where you could face a heavy fine and driving ban.

  However, if you're caught at 90mph in a 70mph zone, you may get a fine of £100 along with penalty points. Avoid getting any points at all by respecting the speed limit of the road you're on.

• How fast can you drive over the speed limit?

  Technically, you can be issued with a fine for going just 1mph over the limit, although this is unlikely, particularly with fixed speed cameras. In April 2019, the research found most police forces in the UK operate speed cameras with a tolerance level of 10% plus 2mph, which, for example, would see motorists ticketed for driving over 35mph in a 30mph zone.

• How much will my insurance go up after a speeding ticket?

  When it comes to getting cover, the cost of your premium is based on your perceived level of risk, and if you've been caught breaking the speed limit that will increase your perceived level of risk.

  All this means you're likely to face higher premium costs if you've been caught over the limit. Exactly how much more expensive will depend on your driving history and the severity of the offense, but it's definitely something to consider.

• Do you have to declare speed awareness to insurance?

  If your insurance company asks whether you've attended a speed awareness course, you should inform them truthfully as failing to do so could end up invalidating your policy, voiding your cover.

  However, whether your attendance on a speed awareness course is taken into consideration when it comes to calculating your premium will vary depending on your insurance provider.

• What happens if I don't attend my speed awareness course?

  A course no-show will be referred back to the relevant police force, who will then decide how to proceed. You may be offered another date or you could face a Fixed Penalty Notice or other penalties.

  If you're sick or cannot make your speed awareness course for any reason, you should inform the course provider as soon as possible, who will often ask for a doctor's note as proof of any illness

• Can you lose your license for speeding?

  Put simply, yes. While most drivers caught speeding face three points and a £100 fine, for more severe cases you could face a large fine and even lose your license.

  You could also lose your license if you're caught speeding several times in a short period of time, so stay on the right side of the law and respect all speed limits.

• How long do speeding points stay on your license?

  Penalty points, or 'endorsements', stay on your driving record for either four or 11 years, depending on the offense. For a four-year endorsement, the points are 'valid' for three years.

• How do you check if you have been caught speeding?

  There's no way to check if you've been caught speeding, you will have to wait and see if you receive notice from the local police force in the post, which you should receive within 14 days.

• How do you report speeding on your street?

  If you witness a motorist driving dangerously in your local area, you can call the police's non-emergency number 101 and tell them about the incident. You may be asked about the incident and asked for any evidence you may have collected.

• What is the minimum fine for speeding?

  The minimum penalty for a motorist caught speeding is a £100 fine.

• How to complain about speeding cars in the UK?

  If you witness a motorist driving dangerously by speeding in your local area, you can call the police's non-emergency number 101 and tell them about the incident. You may be asked about the incident and asked for any evidence you may have collected.

Speeding fines are in place to protect all road users and disputing them is a task that shouldn't be undertaken if you think you may have broken the limit. Always obey traffic laws and never exceed the speed limit.

However, if you think you have been given a speeding ticket unfairly, you can appeal it by filling out the correct section on the Notice of Intended Prosecution within 28 days.

Consider carefully whether you have grounds for dispute beforehand though because if the police do not accept your appeal, you will have to go to court to contest the conviction.

If this happens it's best to seek professional legal advice, but you should also be prepared for - if it doesn't go your way - the fact that you will probably end up with a much heavier fine than in the first instance.

2.1. Acceptable grounds for dispute

Some successful speeding fine appeals are on the ground of technicalities, such as missing or incorrect details provided on the NIP, or incorrect, absent or obscured road signs.

You can also appeal if you weren't the one driving, or you believe you weren't speeding and can prove it.

If the road signs were unclear, you will need to provide photographic evidence to prove that.

If you are confident you weren't speeding, the only way to prove your innocence will be to go to court.

There you can ask for the relevant calibration certificate for the speed camera that caught you to be produced in court.

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2.2. Unacceptable grounds for dispute

Prosecutors have heard every excuse under the sun for speeding.

Excuses that won't cut it include not being aware of the speed limit, saying the roads were quiet as it was late at night, or being in a rush and saying it was an emergency.

If you accept you were caught speeding, some of these 'excuses' could be used as mitigating factors, however, which could result in a more lenient penalty if you plead guilty in court.

2.3. How to send a mitigation letter

If you decide to dispute a speeding fine, the case will go be heard in magistrates' court.

Although you should consider attending in person (they might be more sympathetic if you show you're remorseful and outline any mitigating factors), you can also argue your case by letter.

Be apologetic - admit you realize you made a mistake, but give the reasons for this.

If you're at risk of losing your license (e.g. if you already have points on your license), outline the consequences should this happen (such as losing your job).