Have you been accused of committing a speeding offence? Are you concerned about what might happen next? Our speeding offence solicitors are readily available to support and represent you if you are facing an accusation, putting their wealth of combined expertise to good use.
Speeding is one of the most common road traffic offences, but that does not mean that the potential penalties cannot be severe. Depending on the circumstances, speeding could result in penalty points on your license, a fine, or even a driving disqualification. So, if you are facing a charge of speeding, it is highly advisable to seek legal advice at the earliest opportunity.
At JD Spicer Zeb Solicitors, we understand the sort of impact a speeding offence can have on both you and your family and how daunting it can be to face an accusation. Our motoring offence solicitors are therefore able to provide immediate support, helping you to avoid charges or minimise penalties if it appears that conviction is unavoidable.
Our highly qualified speeding solicitors offer:
- 24/7 legal support in person and over the phone, 365 days a year
- Representation anywhere in England and Wales
- Accredited Police Station Representatives to support you during a police interview
- Clear, effective legal advice in any language (see our languages spoken)
Whether you have been accused of speeding, have been arrested, charged or released on bail or under investigation, get in touch with our driving offence solicitors as soon as possible.
Speak to our speeding offence solicitors in London, Manchester and Birmingham today
For an initial consultation on your legal position and the available options, please call 020 7624 7771.
For urgent advice at any time of day or night, please call our emergency number 07836 577556.
You can also email: [email protected] or fill out our quick online enquiry form and we will get back to you quickly.
Our speeding solicitors can represent you at Willesden Court if you are due to make an appearance there. This means that our costs will likely be lower, as we are a local firm to the court.
Our speeding offence expertise
Exceeding the speed limit
If you are caught exceeding the speed limit, you will likely receive some form of penalty. Depending on how far you have exceeded the limit, and whether you commit any additional offences, the penalty you receive may include:
- Undergoing a speed awareness course
- Receiving three to six penalty points
- Receiving a driving ban
- A fine
The majority of speeding offences are treated with a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN). This is a fixed fine of £100 and three penalty points on your license.
While many people automatically assume that being caught speeding is a cut and dry affair, the complexity of the procedures required to catch and prosecute offenders mean that there are opportunities to defend the charges.
Our speeding offence solicitors are highly experienced in supporting people who are facing a charge for exceeding the speed limit, helping to negotiate reduced penalties or have penalties overturned altogether.
We can also advise in relation to appealing a conviction, or a FPN that has already been issued. Time is of the essence in these situations, as there are strict time limits for making an appeal.
Penalties
The maximum fine for speeding is £1000 (or £2500 if on a motorway). The number of penalty points that can be imposed range from 3 – 6.
As mentioned above, the court has the power to disqualify you from driving. The court, when deciding on the appropriate penalty, will look at how excessive the speed was by reference to guidelines. For example, if the speed limit is 20mph and the speed driven was in excess of 41mph, the court would look to impose the maximum number of points – i.e., six or to disqualify for a period of time.
If the speed was 21 – 30 mph in a 20mph area, the court may impose three points. However, each case is different, and the court would take into account aggravating or mitigating features and adjust the penalty accordingly.
If the number of points imposed totals 12 within three years then the court would look to impose a disqualification under the “totting up” procedure.
There are defences available to speeding offences. For example, “necessity” could be argued. However, this is a complex area and appropriate legal advice should be sought.
Other legal issues that can be argued relate to whether a notice of intended prosecution was served in time or whether there was the requisite signage in place. Again, it may be advisable to seek legal advice in these cases.
Dangerous driving caused by speeding
While simply exceeding the speed limit can carry relatively minor penalties, these can become much more severe if you are also charged with dangerous driving.
Dangerous driving is where your standard of driving falls far below what is expected of a competent and careful driver. Dangerous driving includes offences of driving too fast, or racing.
The penalties for dangerous driving include an unlimited fine, up to 11 penalty points, a driving ban and a prison sentence. Where you have caused death by dangerous driving, this can escalate to a 14-year prison sentence.
Why choose our speeding offence solicitors?
If you have previously attended the police station or are due to make a court appearance for a speeding offence, it is imperative that you seek out legal advice from a specialist driving offence solicitor as soon as possible.
If you are under investigation for a serious speeding offence, and require legal representation, you will usually have the option of working with a duty solicitor. However, you should be aware that this may not be the best approach, as a duty solicitor may lack the specific expertise required to provide you with robust representation.
Our dedicating motoring offence solicitors have many years of combined experience in defending individuals who are facing accusations of speeding. We use this knowledge to provide expert advice and representation.
When instructed, our team can carefully guide you through the entire process of responding to a speeding allegation with clear, straightforward advice that allows you to understand your situation, rights, options and potential outcome.
Our dedicated speeding offence solicitors are readily available to act in your defence, around the clock – including on weekends and bank holidays.
Note that we can also represent you at Willesden Court if you are due to make an appearance there for a speeding offence. This means that our costs will likely be lower as we are a local firm to the court.
Funding your motoring law defence
Funding police station representation
If you have been arrested, or are facing an interview under caution, for speeding, you are entitled to receive legal representation. It is important to note that this can be from a duty solicitor, or one of your choosing and is not means-tested.
Funding your legal defence if you are prosecuted
If you are charged with a speeding offence, it may be possible to have some or all of your legal defence covered by a ‘Representation Order’. This is also commonly known as ‘legal aid’.
The level of financial assistance you might receive and the process you use to make an application will usually depend on the type of court the prosecution takes place in.
Private fees
You also have the option to self-fund your legal representation. If this the approach you would like to take, your preferred approach, we will be able to clearly explain all of the costs and our fee structures. Whether or not you receive legal aid funding, any contribution you make to your own legal defence will be refunded if you are found not guilty.
Frequently asked questions about speeding offences
How many penalty
points will I get for speeding?
The number of penalty points you receive if you are found guilty of speeding will depend on various factors – including whether you elect to appeal a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) and whether this is unsuccessful.
If you receive a FPN and choose not to appeal it, you will receive 3 penalty points on your license, unless you are given the option to attend a speed awareness course.
If you are not given an FPN and go through court proceedings (or challenge the FPN), the number of penalty points you could potentially receive will increase, depending on the amount you exceeded the speed limit by.
Can I lose my license for speeding?
Yes, you can potentially lose your license if you are found guilty of speeding. There are two ways this can happen.
The first is if the penalty points you receive for speeding take your total to above 12 points over a period of three years. If you have only been driving for two years, you can only build up six penalty points before you lose your license.
The second is if you are handed an immediate driving disqualification as a direct penalty. This could happen if you head to court for a speeding offence.
Are there any mitigating circumstance for speeding?
While it is usually a matter of fact that you have exceeded the speed limit, there may be certain mitigating circumstances which can be used to strengthen your defence against the allegations.
This might include circumstances such as:
- A lack of evidence of the permitted speed limit
- Speed limit signage requirements not being adequately met
- Doubts over the reliability of speed measuring equipment
- A genuine reason for speeding (such as a medical emergency)
How much is a speeding fine?
If you are given a FPN for speeding, you will be handed a £100 fine, unless you are given the option to attend a speed awareness course.
If you go to court, this fixed £100 fee will no longer be applicable. Instead, the amount you could be fined will depend on what the speed limit was and how much you exceeded it by. It will usually be a percentage of your weekly income, up to a maximum of £1,000, or £2,500 if you were driving on a motorway.
How long does it take for a speeding ticket to come through?
If you are caught exceeding the speed limit by a speed camera, you should either be sent a Notice of Intended Prosecution (NIP) or Section 172 notice within 14 days.
You are then required to respond to this within 28 days, where you will then be told whether you will be handed an FPN, or told to attend a court hearing.
How long will points for speeding stay on my license?
Speeding points will remain on your driving record for at least four years. Depending on the offence, they could remain on your license for 11 years.
How much will my insurance go up for speeding?
It is a matter of fact that a speeding offence will increase your insurance premium. Insurance providers base their pricing on claims statistics, with individuals with driving offences on their record considered to present a greater risk of being involved in a claim.
A public road speeding offence (SP30) is likely to add around £36 a year to your bill, whereas a motorway speeding conviction (SP50) could add an extra £101 to your bill. These are average figures and the increase you receive may be more or less, depending on various other factors.
Contact our speeding offence solicitors today
For urgent specialist advice, immediate representation or to speak to our solicitors in London, Manchester and Birmingham confidentially about a speeding offence, please call 020 7624 7771 or email [email protected].
Alternatively, you can fill out our quick online enquiry form and we will get back to you quickly.
For immediate representation and advice, call our emergency number 07836 577556 and we will provide you with the urgent assistance you need.