According to the RAC Foundation, speeding is by far the most common driving offence in the UK.
If you have exceeded the limit and are facing a speeding charge, you may be unsure about what comes next.
We put together this mini guide on UK speeding fines & penalties to offer clarity on the potential punishments. We will cover the minimum and maximum penalties and how speeding penalties work.
Read on to learn what you can expect when you are caught speeding.
Minimum UK speeding penalty
In the UK, many drivers who are clocked at speeds over the limit will receive a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN).
An FPN is the most common penalty for lower-level offences and normally involves the issuing of a £100 fine, as well as 3 penalty points being added to your driving licence.
Accepting and paying an FPN avoids the matter going to court. This allows the matter to be dealt with quickly without going to court. However, accepting the fixed penalty means admitting the offence.
Speed Awareness Courses
Some drivers may be offered the option to attend a Speed Awareness Course, which replaces points and a fine.
Focusing on improving driving awareness and road safety, these courses are usually offered to lower-level offenders or those caught speeding for the first time. Not all drivers can take this alternative, and eligibility factors include the speed recorded and the discretion of the police force.
How UK speeding fines are calculated
For cases that go to court, there is a structured system used to calculate fines based on the driver’s relevant weekly income (RWI) (a 25-175% share), as well as the nature of the offence.
The court will look at; the speed limit on the road, the vehicle’s recorded speed, and the weekly income of the driver.
Speeding offences which are higher than the limit are liable to have a higher penalty applied.
Now we will look at the various bands of penalties applied to speeding fines in the UK.
Band A penalties (minor speeding)
Band A penalties (including FPNs) are usually for lower-level speeding offences.
They typically include 3 penalties and a fine of 25-75% of weekly income, if not already set by an FPN. You should note that Band A penalties can still contribute toward licence disqualification if points accumulate.
Band B penalties (moderate speeding)
When speeds are significantly higher than the limit, band B limits apply.
In these circumstances, drivers may receive 4-6 penalty points or a driving ban of 7-28 days. When a fine is issued, it will typically be in the range of 75-125% of the driver’s weekly income.
It’s up to the court whether to issue points or a disqualification. They will look at the circumstances of the offence when coming to a decision.
Band C penalties (excessive speeding)
Band C penalties are applied to the most serious speeding offences.
Penalties may include 6 penalty points, a driving ban of 7-56 days, or a fine that’s equal to between 125-175% of the driver’s weekly income.
The vast majority of Band C penalties are issued by the court. They may involve fines that are significantly higher than those issued for Band A or B penalties.
Maximum speeding fines in the UK
Most of the time, the fines issued for speeding penalties are income-based, but there are still ceilings on the sum. In the UK, the maximum fines are £1,000 for speeding on standard roads and £2,500 for speeding on motorways.
In addition to these maximum fines, punishment may also include penalty points or a driving disqualification.
Points and disqualification rules
Accumulating too many penalty points can result in a driving ban. Totting up 12 points within three years usually leads to a minimum six-month disqualification.
New drivers (who passed their test less than two years ago) may have their license revoked if they accumulate 6 points. In this scenario, the driver must reapply for their provisional licence and retake their tests.
Speeding thresholds (approximate guidelines)
The extent to which the speed limit is broken will vary among cases which go to court. However, we can refer to the following guidelines, which are based on National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) recommendations:
20mph limit: Court summons typically for 31mph+
30mph limit: Court summons typically for 42mph+
40mph limit: Court summons typically for 53mph+
50mph limit: Court summons typically for 64mph+
70mph limit: Court summons typically for 86mph+
Despite these approximate guidelines, police may still issues penalties for lower speeds.
If you are facing a speeding allegation, it’s important to understand the possible penalties and obtain the right legal advice as early as possible. Talk with the totting up solicitors at Auriga Advocates today, and receive expert guidance before representing yourself in court. Call us on 01270 509496.