Mobile Speed Camera Rules – What You Need To Know

Have you been given a speeding fine and feel a bit lost? Don’t worry, this guide is here to clear things up. Every month, more than 130,000 people visit our website for tips on fines and parking tickets. 

In this guide, we’ll go over:

• How mobile speed cameras work
• Whether you always need to pay a speeding fine
• How to appeal if you think the fine is wrong
• What could happen if you don’t pay
• How much you might have to pay if you’re caught speeding

We understand getting a fine can be a bit scary. But with the right advice, you can figure out your next steps. So, let’s dive in and learn more about mobile speed camera rules.

What are the rules?

Local police forces generally use mobile speed cameras in accident hotspots. However, there are guidelines on where the cameras are placed and what they look like.

The guidelines are: 

• Operators must wear fluorescent clothing and be clearly visible. Their vehicles should also have reflective strips on them too
• Signage should be visible where a mobile camera is in operation (although not mandatory)
• A mobile speed camera should be tested and reviewed regularly (every 6 months)

Note: You can’t use any of the above as a defence to get out of paying a mobile speed camera fine! 

How many motorists are caught speeding?

Government statistics reveal that there are UK speeding trends – 50% of motorists broke speed limits on motorways (January to March 2021).

The study revealed that 56% of motorists broke roads’ 30mph speed limit.

Do mobile speed cameras have a Tolerance?

It’s fair to say there is a tolerance for speeding, which is 10%+2mph above the speed limit. So, in short, a speed camera flashes you speeding but allows for this tolerance – in most instances, that is!

However, when a police officer uses a mobile speed camera, they can enforce different levels and rules! Enforcement discretion means that there is no guarantee about not getting fined – if you were going over the speed limit at all, you could be due an FPN.

Note: According to Go Safe, a speed limit is set at the fastest you should go. It’s not a ‘target speed’.

How many mph over the speed limit is a ban?

You may get a disqualification when you’re caught doing in excess of 100mph! The same applies if you’re doing more than 30mph above a set speed limit.

But you may get lucky because a court decides whether a ban is necessary. In short, in some instances, motorists may not get a disqualification for going that fast. Keep in mind that this is an example, and bans are handed out at the discretion of the court.

Note: You can find guidelines for speeding on this link.

Do they need to give warning signs?

Mobile speed cameras can be used in unmarked vehicles without warning motorists of their presence! However, when there’s a sign ahead of the camera, it’s usually enough of a deterrent to slow down.

Do I have to declare a speed awareness course to my insurer?

You might need to tell your insurer about your speed awareness course – it depends on your insurer’s policies.

If you are unsure, you can check your contract and look at the terms and conditions of the policy that you have taken out.

What are the rules about warning drivers of a mobile speed camera?

The general consensus is not to warn other drivers there’s a mobile speed camera ahead. This is because you may be breaking the law. That said, many motorists flash their lights at other motorists to let them know.

Note: The police could deem you are obstructing them from doing their job, and you could end up in court!

» TAKE ACTION NOW: Get legal support from JustAnswer

I did a speed awareness course. Will it go on my licence?

No. Just because you attended a speed awareness course, it won’t go on your licence. However, the National (UK) Driver Offender Retraining Scheme database will hold a record of it.

Note: You won’t be offered the chance to go on a speed awareness course when you re-offend within 3 years. In short, you’ll get penalty points on your licence or a speeding fine instead.

What happens when you don’t attend a speed awareness course?

The police would be informed when you don’t attend a speed awareness course. In short, you’ll end up with points on your licence. Plus, you’ll have to pay a speeding fine.

Moreover, the points may stay on your licence. It can be for anything from 4 to 11 years, depending on the seriousness of the speeding offence.

Let the provider know if you can’t attend a speed awareness course because you’re ill. They may let you reschedule.

Note: You might have to go to court when you don’t attend a speed awareness course.

What if I’m caught speeding after I attend a speed awareness course?

You’ll get a fixed penalty and points on your licence when caught speeding several times within a 3-year period. Plus, you may have to attend a court hearing. Moreover, you could get a disqualification depending on the seriousness of the speeding offences.

Can I be penalised for going too slowly?

Yes, you can.

Keeping a safe driving speed does not just mean driving really slowly!

The police may view the fact you’re driving too slowly could cause another sort of driving offence. For example, you could cause a tailback or other motorists may try to overtake when it’s not safe to do so.

What are the cost implications of speeding?

As you may be aware, you can choose to plead guilty or not guilty if you receive a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN). Each of these options will have different financial consequences.

If you plead guilty, you will need to pay a £100 fine.

If you plead not guilty, you will need to go to court. You can get fined more than £100 if the court concludes that you are guilty of speeding.

The court fine will depend on how fast you were going over the speed limit. This fine will be determined as a percentage of your weekly income but is capped at £1,000 or £2,500 if you were driving on the motorway.

If in doubt, you can use my free speeding fine calculator for a quick estimate.

Speeding Fine Calculator

Salary (annual)

£

Speed Limit

20 30 40 50 60 70

Alleged Speed

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.

Unlock says a Fixed Penalty Notice is not a conviction. It won’t affect your banking or housing, but the police will record it,¹ so it’s important to keep this in mind before making a decision.

What is the point of speed cameras?

But what is the actual point of speed cameras, anyway?

Research and road safety statistics have shown that there is evidence that speed cameras reduce road speeds.

The presence of speed cameras puts drivers off driving at unsafe or excessive speeds. This, in turn, is part of a host of road safety initiatives that help protect the general public.

For stationary speed cameras, drivers know when the camera is pointing at them so they can adjust their speed appropriately. But what about mobile cameras?

Well, the uncertainty of a mobile camera means that drivers are more inclined to respect the speed limits on any given road because they don’t know when one will appear.

Can You Appeal a Fixed Penalty Notice?

Yes! You can.

There are many valid reasons to appeal a Fixed Penalty Notice that might carry enough weight to help get you off the hook. However, keep in mind that if the appeal is rejected, things can get a little more complicated than necessary.

Here’s a table with some strong arguments against your FPN.

Issue to check	Possible evidence	Important limit
The alleged offence did not occur	Contemporaneous photographs, video or reliable records.	The relevant legal elements and evidence must be assessed.
Valid insurance or entitlement	Policy documents or DVLA records covering the exact time and use.	Holding a document now does not prove cover or entitlement at the time.
A recognised statutory exemption	Evidence establishing the exact exemption, such as an applicable medical exemption.	An emergency or misunderstanding does not automatically amount to a defence.
Identity or vehicle details	Evidence of a mismatch, mistaken identity or cloned vehicle.	Follow the notice’s response requirements; do not invent a driver or account.
Signage or equipment	Photographs and reliable evidence relevant to the alleged offence.	A malfunctioning speedometer is not a general defence to speeding. Seek legal advice before contesting.

FPNs do not use the same appeal procedure as council PCNs. Follow the notice; contesting the allegation may require a court hearing. Paper tax discs have not been required since 1 October 2014.

What you need to know

A local police force can decide where to place a mobile speed camera. It’s typically in accident hotspots. However, it’s up to the police where they put them.

Furthermore, an operator doesn’t need to set up warning signs. Although it’s in the guidelines!

Another point of interest is the police can use unmarked vehicles when using mobile speed cameras. But, again, the guidelines recommend that vehicles have strips on them.

Plus, even when the guidelines are not followed, it does not mean you can dispute a speeding fine. This includes whether a mobile speed camera was assessed every 6 months as it should have been!

Thanks for reading my post on mobile speed cameras. I hope the info helps you understand the rules and how the police don’t really have to stick to them!

References

1. Unlock-Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) / Penalty Notice for Disorder (PND)