The Speeding Offence Codes

The Speeding Offence Codes

If you commit a driving offence and incur points on your licence, you will also receive an ‘endorsement’. Each endorsement is associated with a different code, depending on the type of offence. These codes can indicate how serious your offence was and, if you have had multiple offences, they can be used to track them to give a more detailed insight into your pattern of driving.

In the following guide, we have broken down the various types of speeding offence endorsement codes to explain what each one means and shed some light on their implications for your driving record in the event that you are convicted.

The Different Categories of Endorsement Codes

Each endorsement code begins with a two-letter abbreviation that indicates the type of motoring offence with which it is associated. This can also give you an indication of the types of sanctions you might face should you commit such an offence. The different categories of endorsement codes are:

• Accident offences (AC)
• Disqualified driver offences (BA)
• Careless driving offences (CD)
• Construction and use offences (CU)
• Reckless and dangerous driving offences (DD)
• Drink driving offences (DR)
• Drug driving offences (DG and DR)
• Insurance offences (IN)
• Licence offences (LC)
• Miscellaneous offences (MS)
• Motorway offences (MW)
• Pedestrian crossing offences (PC)
• Speed limit offences (SP)
• Traffic direction and signs offences (TS)
• Totting-up code (TT)
• Theft or unauthorised taking offences (UT)
• Mutual recognition (MR)

For example, a speeding code might be formatted like this: SP10. You can find more information on a specific code, or the category with which an offence is associated, on the UK Government’s website.

Speed Limit Offence Codes

Driving offence codes stay on a driving record for four years from the date of the offence. The speeding offence codes are as follows:

SP10 - Exceeding goods vehicle speed limits 

The speed limits for goods vehicles sometimes differ from the maximum speed limit for a designated area - the number you will see on speed limit signs. For example, a heavy goods vehicle may not be legally allowed to exceed 40mph, whereas a car can reach 50mph. Exceeding the goods vehicle speed limit can result in 3-6 points on a driver’s licence, which will remain for four years. 

SP20 - Exceeding speed limit for type of vehicle 

Similar to SP10, being found guilty of SP20 can result in 3-6 points on a driver’s licence, which will remain for four years. This regulation applies more broadly than SP10, which is exclusive to goods vehicles.

SP30 - Exceeding statutory speed limit on a public road

Speeding usually comes with a £100 fine and 3 penalty points, which remain on your licence for four years. This is the minimum penalty for a speeding offence, and depending on the location of the offence and the speed at which the offender was driving, the punishment can often be more severe. 

SP40 - Exceeding passenger vehicle speed limit 

If you are found to have been speeding in a passenger vehicle, you will be deemed to have committed an SP40 offence for which you are likely to receive between 3-6 penalty points. This is similar to the above offences, and the endorsement code helps to provide more detail. In some cases, you may receive multiple endorsements for the same offence, which can offer a clearer picture of the incident.

SP50 - Exceeding speed limit on motorway

Exceeding the speed limit on a motorway can result in 3-6 penalty points being added to your licence, and could result in a discretionary ban, depending on how fast the vehicle was going. If you accumulate 12 points on your licence, you will be at risk of a driving disqualification.

What to Do if Charged With a Speeding Offence

If you are charged with one of the above offences and intend to dispute it, you should contact the expert motoring offence solicitors at JMW. We will be able to assess your situation and offer you advice and guidance, to give you the best chance of a positive outcome. 

Call us today on 0345 872 6666 or fill out our online contact form to arrange a call back.