Fixed Penalty Notice For Speeding? What To Do Next

Did you receive a Fixed Penalty Notice for speeding and now you’re not sure what to do? Don’t worry, we’re here to help. Our website is visited by over 130,000 people each month who need advice on fines and parking tickets.

In this guide, we’ll explain:

• What a Fixed Penalty Notice for speeding is.
• The importance of paying it within 28 days.
• The process to challenge the fine if you think it’s unfair.
• Situations where you might not have to pay the fine.
• What could happen if you decide not to pay.

We know it’s a frustrating situation to be in, but we’re here to help you make sense of it all. Whether you choose to pay the fine or challenge it, we’ll walk you through each step of the process. We’re in this together.

Let’s get started.

What happens when I get a notice of intended prosecution for speeding?

You’ll be sent a notice of intended prosecution (NIP) if you’re the vehicle’s registered keeper.

The NIP is sent to the leasing company when it’s a company car. Then it goes to the company you work for.

Lastly, the driver gets it.

Can I get out of the fixed penalty notice?

You can refuse to pay the fine when you disagree with the fixed penalty notice.

But there’s no formal appeal to reject a FPN.

In short, you’ll be taken to court, where a judge decides if you have to pay or not.

Check out what happened to one motorist who got a FPN for speeding on a motorway.

Source: Moneysavingexpert

Is getting a speeding fixed penalty a conviction?

A fixed penalty notice is a fine for a driving offence.

As such, it doesn’t appear on a criminal record.

However, if a court convicts you because you were speeding, then it’s recorded on your criminal record.

What are speeding bands?

There are various speeding bands which authorities use when issuing FPNs to motorists and the penalties they have to pay.

I’ve listed them in the table below.

How do I respond to a NIP?

When you’re sent a Notice of Intended Prosecution, you should:

• Make sure it’s in your name, with your address and your date of birth
• If any details in the notice are incorrect, or they are out of date, then write the correct information in the reply you send
• You must sign and date the NIP and keep a copy for your records
• Note down the date of when and where you posted the NIP

What happens if I don’t respond to a NIP?

The police take the matter further. Plus, there’s no time limit because they fulfilled the ‘initial obligation’ by issuing an initial notice.

But, if the police did not send an initial notice of intended prosecution within 14 days, you can’t be prosecuted!

When you ignore the FPN, you’ll end up in the magistrates’ court.

You have the choice to plead guilty in writing by post or to attend court.

If you’re found guilty, the amount you pay could be more than the initial fine. Plus, you’ll have to pay court costs.

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How do I reject a notice of intended prosecution?

The only way to ‘reject’ a NIP is to name the driver. Then ask the court for a hearing so you can challenge it.

In short, you can’t reject a Notice of Intended Prosecution.

However, as stated, only a court can rule whether a NIP is correct or not.

Should I get a lawyer?

Lawyers are expensive so unless you risk losing your licence which will impact your ability to work, you should think carefully about hiring one.

That said, even when you have legal representation in court, there’s no guarantee you’ll win the case and have a speeding ban quashed.

Do I have to declare a Fixed Penalty Notice to my insurance?

You must tell your car insurance providers when you get a fixed penalty notice for speeding.

Plus, it remains on your record for 5 years, so you must disclose the offence every time you renew a policy or change providers.

Note: If you were under 18 when you got the speeding fine, it remains on your record for 2½ years.

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Can I pay a fixed penalty in instalments?

No. You can’t pay a fixed penalty notice in instalments.

You have to pay the total amount within the time limit.

Unless you want to reject the FPN and go to court.

That said, you still have to pay the total amount and more, if you lose your case.

What are the financial consequences?

Chances are your insurance premium will increase when you get an FPN for speeding.

Also, if you lose a court case when you challenge the fine, you will have to pay court costs.

Plus, the judge will likely hit you with a heftier fine and more penalty points.

How long will the conviction stay on my licence?

It depends. The ‘points’ system differs regarding how long they remain on your licence. 

Penalty points can stay valid for:

• 3 years from the date of an offence
• 3 years from the date of a conviction
• 10 years from the date of a conviction

What should you do about a fixed penalty notice for speeding?

There isn’t a formal appeal process when you disagree with a fixed penalty notice for speeding.

But when you don’t pay the fine you get to put forward your argument by going to court.

In short, a court gets to decide whether the fixed penalty notice for speeding is valid or not.

That said, the chances of a successful outcome are pretty slim!

What happens if I don’t declare convictions to my insurer?

Your policy may be invalid if you don’t tell an insurance provider about a speeding conviction.

In short, if you make a claim on the policy, the provider won’t pay out.

Plus, if an insurance company has paid out on a claim and they find out about the conviction, you may have to refund the money.

Does a Fixed Penalty Notice appear on enhanced disclosure and barring service certificate (DBS)?

The FPN doesn’t appear on a DBS certificate because fixed penalty notices are issued for minor driving offences.

They are on-the-spot fines, but you can still be taken to court if you ignore them.

Can I remove the convictions from my DBS certificate?

When you have multiple convictions, they can be filtered.

Providing an offence is eligible and it didn’t result in a suspended or prison sentence.

That’s to say, once the relevant time passes.

Will I have to go on a speed awareness course?

You might be asked to go on a speed awareness course if you didn’t attend one in the last 3 years.

Plus, it could apply when your speed was within the ‘acceptable’ range, which is just 10%+2mph over the speed limit.

So, for example, you were doing 35 to 42 mph on a road with a 30mph speed limit.

Could I be offered a speed awareness course?

You may be offered a speed awareness course but it depends on whether the authorities consider you should go on one.

That said, if you already attended a course within the last three years, you won’t be offered the option.

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