Featured in...
Dashboard
Council and Police Fines
Fixed Penalty Notice For Speeding

How to Avoid a Speeding Ticket – Updated Laws & Guide

Scott Nelson Profile Picture Janine Marsh Profile Picture
By
Scott
Scott Nelson Profile Picture

Scott Nelson

Managing Director

MoneyNerd’s founder, Scott Nelson, has a decade of financial industry experience, including 6 years in FCA regulated loan and credit card companies. Troubled by a lack of conscience in the industry, he founded MoneyNerd to give genuine advice to those in debt and struggling financially.

Learn more about Scott
&
Janine
Janine Marsh Profile Picture

Janine Marsh

Financial Expert

Janine Marsh is an award-winning presenter and a valuable member of the MoneyNerd team. With a wealth of experience as a financial expert, she's been featured on BBC Radio 4, BBC Local Radio, and BBC Five Live, and is a regular on Co-op Radio.

Learn more about Janine
· Apr 3rd, 2024
Fight back against fines with JustAnswer, get legal guidance now!

In partnership with Just Answer.

Featured in...
Avoid a Speeding Ticket

Did you just get a speeding ticket and don’t know what to do? You’re not alone! In fact, over 130,000 people visit our website for guidance every month.

We understand that getting a speeding ticket can be frustrating. This guide will help you understand:

  • What a speeding ticket really is.
  • If you need to pay a speeding ticket right away.
  • How to question a ticket if you think it’s not fair.
  • Times when you might not have to pay your ticket.
  • What could happen if you choose not to pay your ticket.

We’re here to help you through each step of the way. Remember, every situation is different, and this guide is a good place to start. We hope it helps you make the best choice for you.

Let’s dive in and discuss your options.

Around 50% of Appeals Succeed

In some circumstances, you might have a legitimate reason not to pay your speeding fine.

It’s a bit sneaky, but the last time I needed legal advice, I paid £5 for a trial to chat with an online solicitor called JustAnswer.

Not only did I save £50 on solicitor feeds, I also won my case and didn’t have to pay my £271 fine.

Chat below to get stared with JustAnswer.

*Carwow reports around 50% of appeals are successful, so it’s well worth a try.

How to avoid speeding fines in the UK

The most effective way to avoid speeding fines in the UK is to make sure that you drive safely and conservatively – and always follow road signs. 

  • Try not to become overly familiar with some roads, as these can be prime places for people to drive too quickly. 
  • If your car can limit the speed, use this all the time. Check your car’s manual to see if you have a speed limiter in the car and how to set it up. 
  • When using a SATNAV, ensure that you have allowed speed notifications so that you are alerted to the legal speed limit and your speed. 
  • Pay attention when your SAT NAV tells you there are speed cameras coming up. 
  • Use cruise control if available to maintain a steady speed. 

The answer to the question of how to avoid a speeding ticket in the UK is to adhere to what you were taught in your driving lessons and drive safely and responsibly

How can I avoid getting points on a speeding ticket?

To avoid getting points on a speeding ticket, you must have committed what is considered a minor offence and be offered a speed awareness course

You may be offered a speed awareness course if you have not been convicted of other speeding offences in the last three years and were not going more than 10% plus two mph over the limit. 

Successful Appeal Case Study

Situation

Initial Fine £100
Additional Fees £171
Total Fine £271

The Appeal Process

Scott used JustAnswer, online legal service to enhance his appeal. The trial of this cost him just £5.

Total Fine £271
Cost of legal advice £5

JustAnswer helped Scott craft the best appeal possible and he was able to win his case.

Scott’s fine was cancelled and he only paid £5 for the legal help.

Get started

In partnership with Just Answer.

Is a speed awareness course worth it?

Yes. As I see it, if the authorities offer you a speed awareness course instead of a fine and penalty points, you should consider attending.

That said, you must attend the course because if you don’t, you will be fined and get penalty points on your licence.

That said, it’s up to the authorities whether you get his option and whether you’ve already attended a course in the last three years.

How to avoid paying a speeding ticket

One of the best ways to avoid paying your speeding fine is if you are offered the opportunity to take a speed awareness course.

When offered the speed awareness course, while you will need to pay for it, you will no longer have to pay the fine. 

Getting the support of a Solicitor can take a huge weight off your mind.

Get started

Reviews shown are for JustAnswer.

Are there mitigating circumstances for breaking the speed limit in the UK?

Receiving a speeding ticket in the case of an emergency and you were rushing someone to the hospital may be a mitigating circumstance.

You will need to provide details of the events and proof that supports this when you return the NIP to the police. 

However, speeding is against the law, and it’s taken very seriously in the UK.

Should I pay or appeal my speeding fine? 

Unlike appealing parking fines and parking tickets, overturning an FPN is difficult. 

You can read more about how to contest a speeding ticket or what you can do if your speeding fine doesn’t arrive after 14 days

How much is a speeding fine?

The minimum penalty for speeding is £100, and three points are added to your licence.

If you accrue more than 12 points on your licence (from speeding and other offences), you can lose your licence and be disqualified from driving

You can use my free speeding fine calculator to get an estimate of how much your speeding fine will be.

Speeding Fine Calculator

£

This is a guidance tool only and not an assessment. For accurate speeding fine figures, contact the issuing authority credit. Do not rely solely on this calculator’s results.

What happens when the police stop you for speeding?

If the police stop you, they will decide one of the following: 

  • Send a letter ordering you to go to court about the offence
  • Issue you an FPN there, or send one via post
  • Give you a verbal warning 

What happens if you are caught speeding on camera?

You will receive a notification through the post saying that you were caught speeding.

You’ll get the following: 

You must send the Section 172 notice back within 28 days to say who was driving the car.

This is because it may not be the vehicle’s owner who was driving. 

After the Section 172 Notice is received, you will be sent one of the following: 

  • A letter telling you to go to court
  • FPN – Fixed Penalty Notice

» TAKE ACTION NOW: Get legal support from JustAnswer

Can you contest a speeding ticket?

You might disagree with the speeding ticket, and there are some reasons the fine can be overturned: 

  • There was no signage of the speed limit
  • The vehicle was not yours 
  • The car was stolen
  • You were not speeding

Your local police force may accept informal appeals for speeding tickets, while others might not.

You can appeal using the information on the Fixed Penalty Notice. 

Will a speeding ticket go on my record?

Don’t worry; you don’t need to wonder how to avoid a speeding ticket on your record.

Being caught speeding and issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice will not go on your criminal record

The situation changes if you avoid paying the speeding ticket beyond the 28-day limit or do not attend the speed awareness course. 

If you ignore these things, are taken to court and are found guilty, this will be recorded as a criminal conviction

However, you must let your insurance know you have speeding tickets.

If you don’t declare speeding fines to your insurer, your policy is invalid, and future claims can be turned down

Will a speeding ticket affect my insurance?

Yes, getting a speeding ticket will mean you pay more for your car insurance.

The more serious the speeding offence, the higher premium you’ll likely have to pay.

Hire a Solicitor for less than a coffee.

If you’re thinking about appealing your speeding fine then getting some professional advice is a good idea.

Getting the support of a Solicitor can make your appeal much more likely to win.

For a £5 trial, Solicitors from JustAnswer can look at your case and help you create an airtight appeal.

Try it below

Get started

In partnership with Just Answer.

Did you like this article?
Show your support ❤️
We're glad you liked the article! As a small team, your support means everything to us. If you could rate us on Google, it would be amazing. Thank you!
We are so sorry...

Is there something missing? We’re all ears and eager to improve. Send us a message and let us know how we can make our article more useful for you.

You can email us directly at [email protected] to share your feedback.

The authors
Scott Nelson Profile Picture
Author
MoneyNerd’s founder, Scott Nelson, has a decade of financial industry experience, including 6 years in FCA regulated loan and credit card companies. Troubled by a lack of conscience in the industry, he founded MoneyNerd to give genuine advice to those in debt and struggling financially.
Janine Marsh Profile Picture
Appeals Expert
Janine Marsh is an award-winning presenter and a valuable member of the MoneyNerd team. With a wealth of experience as a financial expert, she's been featured on BBC Radio 4, BBC Local Radio, and BBC Five Live, and is a regular on Co-op Radio.