If you’ve been unfortunate enough to get a speeding ticket, then you’ll be wondering how you can limit the amount of damage to your licence and bank account. There are a few ways the police can decide to punish you for your offence, some more harsh than others, depending on your speed and how many times you’ve been caught speeding before.
What are the consequences of getting a speeding ticket?
- You’ll be obligated to attend a speed awareness course.
- If you’ve been caught driving at an excessive and dangerous speed, you may be summoned to court and prosecuted. If you’re found guilty, you’ll get a fine and points on your licence, and in extreme cases a driving ban.
- You’ll receive points on your license and a fine.
The majority of speeding fines are £100 but can go as high as £2500. The points you receive on your licence will depend on your offence, but you’re most commonly awarded three points, but keep in mind you only need eight points awarded before the police can decide to prosecute. For new drivers, if you’re still within 2 years of passing your driving test, your driving licence will be withdrawn if you build up 6 or more penalty points.
How will you get notified of a speeding ticket?
You’ll receive a notification of your fine through the post, disclosing the date you made the offence and how to pay the fine.
How do you avoid paying a speeding fine or receiving points on your licence?
It’s important to note the date you receive the letter, as under the Road Traffic Offenders Act of 1988, drivers must be notified of their offences within two weeks. If you obtain the letter after the 14-day cut off point, their claim may be invalid. This is a direct violation of your rights and it would be beneficial to dispute the speeding ticket as it may be written off. Your speeding ticket may be cancelled straight away but you might have to put up a fight to ensure it is written off, especially if you were caught driving particularly fast.
Additionally, it’s important to take note of where you were caught speeding. In the UK there are very strict regulations surrounding the positioning and location of speed cameras, and the signage that must be around them. If you feel the speeding camera wasn’t advertised enough before you drove past it, you may have a case to take to court. However, make sure you research the case thoroughly before you do as it may end up being a costly court case if it’s found your claim is false.
Here at Oaks Services, we pride ourselves in providing a first-rate car maintenance service to all our customers and are happy to answer any queries you may have about your car. Our fully trained and qualified mechanics will provide a high-quality service with a combined 50 years in the industry. If you want to find out more about the services we offer here at Oaks Services, contact our friendly team today!
