If you are caught speeding in the UK, you will face a number of possible penalties. These can include a fine, points on your licence, and even a ban from driving if the offence causes you to surpass the 12-point limit.

In this guide, the expert motoring offences solicitors at JMW take a look at the different speeding penalties that you may be faced with in the UK. Whether you're a first-time offender or a repeat offender, it is essential that you know what you are risking by speeding and what you can expect should you be prosecuted.

What Are the Penalties for Speeding?

Depending on the severity of your offence, your penalties may be more or less serious. Either way, the penalties you will incur from speeding should not be taken lightly and can have far-reaching consequences.

• The minimum penalty for a speeding offence is a £100 fine and three points on your licence.
• The maximum penalty for a speeding offence is a £2,500 fine and six points on your licence.

If you accumulate more than 12 points on your licence, it will result in disqualification. For drivers who passed their test less than two years prior, the limit is 6 points on their licence; if they accumulate this number their licence will be revoked.

How Are Speeding Fines Calculated?

Speeding fines are split into three bands - A, B and C. Your speeding offence will fit into one of these bands depending on how far over the speed limit you were when you committed your offence. This will then determine the fine you are given.

• Your offence will fall into band A 
• Your offence will fall into band B 
• Your offence will fall into band C 

The police and the court will decide how high your fine will be depending on which band you fall into.

In some cases, your speeding offence may be treated as a careless or dangerous driving offence, but this will depend on whether you intentionally committed the offence and put anyone in direct danger. The penalties for careless driving and dangerous driving are much more serious than typical speeding offences, and can result in higher fines, more points and even prison sentences (dangerous driving).

How Must You Pay a Speeding Fine?

Paying your speeding fine is a simple process - you can do so on this government portal. You must ensure you pay the right amount, or you may be prosecuted further.

What Happens When You Are Caught Speeding by a Camera?

You may not be aware that you were caught speeding by a camera - it is common for drivers to be surprised by a Notice of Intended Prosecution (NIP), received through their postbox several days after their offence. The NIP will detail your charges or, if your offence is more serious, court summons - a date upon which you will be expected to attend a court hearing regarding your offence.

You may accept the charges detailed on the NIP by filling out one side, or reject them by filling out the other. You must do either of these and return the NIP within 28 days of it being issued - not from when you received it - otherwise your penalties will be escalated by the court.

What happens when you are caught speeding by the police?

If you are pulled over by the police, there are a number of possibilities:

• You may be let off with a verbal warning;
• You may be given a Fixed Penalty Notice (3 Points); or
• You may be arrested and taken to the police station.

Should I Dispute a Speeding Offence?

If you plan on disputing your speeding offence or if you are unsure as to whether you accept it then you should not accept responsibility for your offence or attempt to defend yourself until you have the chance to do so in court. You have the right to legal advice following a speeding offence and you should speak to a solicitor about the best course of action.

In cases where you have lower penalties and it may be difficult to dispute your offence, it may be safer and easier to simply pay the fine. This is because there are significant repercussions for attempting to dispute a motoring offence and failing - your penalties will be escalated, and you may be banned from driving.

The court may also offer to reduce your penalties or remove them completely if you agree to take an educational driving awareness course. If you accept this offer, you will be expected to attend every session of the course on time and demonstrate that you want to improve. This will be evidenced by your progression through the course material. If the court believes you are not improving during the course, or if you fail to meet your legal requirements, your original penalties may be reconsidered.

Therefore, to avoid making costly mistakes, it is essential that you discuss your options with a legal professional, such as those at JMW.

What Can You Expect During Your Court Hearing?

When you are summoned to court, you will be able to bring your solicitor. They will represent you by arguing your case and communicating with the other parties involved, meaning you must attend but will not be expected to make your case.

If you plan to dispute your claim in court, you will need to have solid grounds to do so. This means you must have a valid reason as to why you committed your speeding offence, or evidence that you did not. This evidence may be provided in the form of photographs, video footage, witness reports, or reports from a medical professional who can help to explain why you sped.

Our solicitors have a number of strategies to combat speeding prosecutions. Common arguments include:

• Has the correct procedure been followed by those operating the camera?
• Has the use of the equipment been approved by the secretary of state?
• Was the speed camera calibrated correctly?
• Was the reading a false one?

Our team will work to identify factors that may help to reduce or remove your charges, and we will advise you on whether you are likely to succeed with your dispute, or whether the best option may be to accept the charges.

Examples of reasons for speeding that may be accepted by the court include:

• A a lack of road signs;
• You were not the driver of the car; and/or
• You were not actually speeding.

Examples of reasons for speeding that will not be accepted by the court include:

• You were unaware of the speed limit;
• You were in a rush; and/or
• The roads were quiet.

How Can You Avoid a Speeding Fine?

To avoid committing a speeding offence, make sure you look out for road signs and obey the speed limit. In some cases, it can be difficult to understand a speed limit - this could be due to poor visibility or a sudden turn onto a new road. However, you are expected to remain vigilant when on the road, for your safety and that of other drivers, so you should not take chances and ensure you pay full attention when driving anywhere.