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A driver commits a speeding offence when they drive faster than the legal speed limit for that road, resulting in a minimum £100 fine and 3 penalty points.

You risk disqualification from driving if you reach 12 penalty points within a period of 3 years.

At Moeen & Co. Solicitors, our team of specialist speeding offence solicitors in London can help reduce penalties or even dismiss your case.

If you have been charged with a speeding offence or caught by a speed camera, call our speeding offence solicitors in London at 0203 959 7755 today.

Table of Contents

What constitutes a speeding offence in the UK?

A speeding offence happens when a driver exceeds the road’s legal speed limit, leading to penalty points, a fine, and possibly disqualification.

Unless specified by road signs, the following speed limits apply in the UK:

  • 30mph in built-up areas
  • 60mph on single carriageways
  • 70mph on dual carriageways and motorways

However, many roads have specific speed limits, such as 20mph zones in residential areas or 40mph limits on certain dual carriageways. Exceeding these limits, even by a small margin, can result in a speeding offence.

How can you be caught speeding?

Speeding is the most common motoring offence in the UK, with over two million speeding tickets issued in 2023.

Drivers are caught in two main ways:

  1. Pulled Over by the Police
  2. Detected by a Speed Camera

Pulled Over by the Police

Officers use handheld speed detection devices at known hotspots. If you speed, you may receive a fixed penalty notice or be required to visit the police station within 7 days.

Detected by a Speed Camera

Speed cameras are used across the UK. If caught speeding, a Notice of Intended Prosecution (NIP) will be sent within 14 days.

If you have received a speeding fine, penalty points, or a court summons, contact a speeding offence solicitor at 0203 959 7755 for legal assistance.

What are the penalties and fines for speeding offences?

The minimum fine for speeding is £100 and 3 penalty points on your licence. But, if it goes to the Court, the fine could be up to £2,500 for motorway offences.

Penalties for speeding can include:

  • A fine between £100 to £2,500
  • 3-6 penalty points on your driving licence
  • A possible ban from driving

If you have received a speeding fine, penalty points, or a court summons, contact a speeding offence solicitor to get advice and protect your driving licence.

What are the penalties for speeding in London?

If you are caught speeding, your penalty will depend on how much you exceeded the speed limit:

Speed Over Limit Fine & Penalty Points Possible Consequences
Minor offence (e.g., 35mph in a 30mph zone) £100 fine + 3 points May be offered a Speed Awareness Course
Moderate offence (e.g., 50mph in a 30mph zone) Higher fine + 4-6 points Risk of court summons
Excessive speeding (e.g., 100mph on a motorway) Fine up to £2,500 + possible driving ban Court summons mandatory

If you accumulate 12 or more points within three years, you may be banned from driving under the "totting-up" rule.

What are the different speeding penalty bands?

The UK follows a banding system for fines, based on how much the speed limit was exceeded:

Speed Limit Band A (3pts, £100 fine) Band B (4-6pts, Fine 100-125% of weekly income) Band C (6pts/ban, Fine 150%+ of weekly income)
30mph 31-40mph 41-50mph 51mph+
40mph 41-55mph 56-65mph 66mph+
50mph 51-65mph 66-75mph 76mph+
60mph 61-80mph 81-90mph 91mph+
70mph 71-90mph 91-100mph 101mph+

 A driver could also be required to attend a Speed Awareness Course instead of receiving penalty points, but this is only offered in some cases.

How long do speeding points stay on your licence?

Speeding points stay on your licence for four years, but they only count for disqualification purposes for three years. Car insurers may keep records of driving offences for five years.

Can you lose your licence for speeding?

Yes, you might lose your licence if you get 12 or more points in three years. New drivers with 6 points in their first two years will have their licence revoked.

What should I do if I receive a Notice of Intended Prosecution (NIP)?

If you get a Notice of Intended Prosecution (NIP), you must respond within 28 days.

You can:

  • Accept the penalty and pay the fine
  • Nominate the actual driver if it wasn’t you
  • Contest the charge if you believe it was unfair (legal advice is recommended)

While speeding charges are often straightforward, some valid defences can be used to challenge them:

  1. Faulty or Incorrect Speed Detection Equipment
  2. Lack of Proper Notice (NIP Delay)
  3. Mistaken Identity or Incorrect Driver Details
  4. Emergency Situations
  5. Road Signage Issues

1. Faulty or Incorrect Speed Detection Equipment

Speed cameras and police speed guns can be wrong. If the device was faulty, not set up right, or used wrongly, the case might be challenged.

2. Lack of Proper Notice (NIP Delay)

A Notice of Intended Prosecution must reach the car owner within 14 days of the alleged offence. If it's late, the charge might not stand.

3. Mistaken Identity or Incorrect Driver Details

If the car owner wasn't driving, they must give the real driver's details. Not doing so can lead to more penalties.

4. Emergency Situations

Drivers might argue they were speeding in an emergency. But proving this is hard and rarely works.

5. Road Signage Issues

Speed limits need clear signs. If signs were missing, unclear, or wrong, you might contest the charge.

Can you appeal a speeding conviction?

Yes, you can appeal If you think you were wrongly fined for speeding. Common reasons include:

  • Incorrect or faulty speed detection equipment
  • Failure to receive a Notice of Intended Prosecution (NIP) within 14 days
  • Unclear or missing speed limit signage

Facing a speeding offence charge? Contact our speeding offence solicitors in Hayes, London at 0203 959 7755 for legal advice and help with the appeal process.

What to do if you receive a speeding ticket?

  • Verify the details (location, date, time).
  • Pay the fine or appeal the charge.
  • Seek legal advice from a speeding offence solicitor.

If you have received a speeding ticket, call our speeding offence solicitors on 0203 959 7755 to challenge the speeding ticket or minimise the penalties.

Why do you need a speeding offence solicitor in London?

London has many speed cameras, mobile police units, and congestion zones where speed limits can change frequently.

If you are caught speeding, you could face:

  • A Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) with a fine and penalty points
  • A Notice of Intended Prosecution (NIP) requiring a response within 28 days
  • A court summons for excessive speeding or repeat offences
  • Potential disqualification from driving if you accumulate too many points

Our specialist speeding offence solicitor in Hayes, London can help you reduce fines, avoid penalty points, or even have your case dismissed by identifying legal defences.

When should I contact a solicitor for a speeding offence?

You should contact a solicitor if:

  • You have received a Notice of Intended Prosecution (NIP)
  • You are facing a court summons for speeding
  • You risk losing your licence due to excessive points
  • You want to challenge a speeding conviction

Contact our speeding offence solicitor

Charged with a speeding offence? Contact our speeding offence solicitors in Hayes, London at 0203 959 7755 for advice and challenge your speeding ticket.

There are several ways to contact our solicitors based in Hayes, London:

We are located near Hayes and Harlington Station on Hayes High Street, in Hayes Town Centre. 

FAQs about speeding offences in the UK

If caught speeding, you'll get a Notice of Intended Prosecution (NIP) within 14 days. You might get a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN), a Speed Awareness Course, or face court for serious cases.

The minimum speeding fine is £100, but if the case goes to Court, fines could reach up to £2,500 for motorway offences.

The points you get depend on how much over the limit you were:

  • 3 points for minor offences
  • 4-6 points for more serious offences
  • 6 points or a driving disqualification for excessive speeding

Accumulating 12 or more points in three years can lead to losing your licence.

Speeding alone usually doesn't lead to jail. But, if it's seen as dangerous driving, you could face prison time.

Yes, speeding points can raise your car insurance premium. Insurers see convicted drivers as higher risk. The increase varies by the offence's severity and your insurer.

No, not all speed cameras issue fines. Some monitor traffic. But, if a camera catches you speeding, you'll likely get a Notice of Intended Prosecution (NIP).

The police must send a Notice of Intended Prosecution (NIP) within 14 days of the offence. If they miss this, the ticket might be invalid.

Ignoring a speeding ticket can lead to higher fines, more penalty points, or a court summons. If you ignore it, you might also face penalties for failing to provide driver details.

Yes, you can check your driving record and penalty points online through the DVLA website.

Yes, a solicitor can argue "exceptional hardship". They can show that losing your licence would cause significant trouble. This could prevent a disqualification.

Legal Disclaimer

The information provided is for general informational purposes only and should not be taken as legal advice. While we make every effort to ensure accuracy, the law may change, and the information may not reflect the most current legal developments. No warranty is given regarding the accuracy or completeness of the information, and we do not accept liability in such cases. We recommend consulting with a qualified lawyer at Moeen & Co. Solicitors before making any decisions based on the information provided on this website.

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