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Council and Police Fines
Fixed Penalty Notice For Speeding

Mobile Speed Camera Rules – What You Need To Know

Scott Nelson MoneyNerd Janine Marsh MoneyNerd
By
Scott
Scott Nelson MoneyNerd

Scott Nelson

Debt Expert

Scott Nelson is a renowned debt expert who supports people in debt with debt management and debt solution resources.

Learn more about Scott
&
Janine
Janine Marsh MoneyNerd

Janine Marsh

Financial Expert

Janine is a financial expert who supports individuals with debt management, cost-saving resources, and navigating parking tickets.

Learn more about Janine
· May 21st, 2024
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Mobile Speed Camera Rules

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.

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 fees, 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.

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’.

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.

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.

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

Get started

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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

£

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.

Violation Category Specific Offense Common Appeal Reason
Traffic Signal Running a Red Light Traffic light was malfunctioning/out
Insurance Driving without Insurance Proof of valid insurance at the time
Speed Limit Exceeding Speed Limit Incorrect speed limit signage/malfunctioning speedometer
Seat Belt Not Wearing a Seat Belt Belt was worn but not visible or medical exemption
Mobile Phone Use Using a Mobile Phone while Driving Emergency situation or not in use
Vehicle Condition Driving a Vehicle in Poor Condition Recent vehicle maintenance or misjudgment of condition
Parking Illegal Parking Unclear, obscured, or misleading parking signs
Documentation Failure to Display Tax Disc Disc was displayed but not visible
Driving License Driving without a Valid License License was valid but not present
Vehicle Registration Driving Unregistered Vehicle Registration was in process/delayed

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!

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

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In partnership with Just Answer.

References

  1. Unlock-Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) / Penalty Notice for Disorder (PND)
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The authors
Scott Nelson MoneyNerd
Author
Scott Nelson is a renowned debt expert who supports people in debt with debt management and debt solution resources.
Janine Marsh MoneyNerd
Appeals Expert
Janine is a financial expert who supports individuals with debt management, cost-saving resources, and navigating parking tickets.