Speeding Fine Appeal Letter Sample for in the UK
Did you receive a speeding ticket and feel a bit lost about what to do? Don’t worry; this guide is here to clear things up. Every month, over 130,000 people visit our site seeking advice on fines and parking tickets.
In this article, we’ll go through:
- What a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) means
- If you must pay the FPN right away
- How to fight the FPN if you think it’s not correct
- Times when you might not need to pay
- What could happen if you choose not to pay
We know it’s hard when you get a fine. But you’re not alone; we’ll guide you through all the details so you can make the best choice for you.
Take a deep breath, and let’s dive in.
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.
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*Carwow reports that only around 1% of speeding tickets are appealed each year, and only about 50% of those appeals are successful. In partnership with Just Answer.
What are the consequences of getting a speeding ticket?
You could face prosecution and receive a hefty fine depending on the severity of the offence. Furthermore, you could get a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) if caught over 20 mph in a 20 mph zone.
It’s deemed a serious speeding offence which merits a Band C fine and six penalty points on your licence. It can even end up with a disqualification. That said, 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
Note: The fine can range from 125% to 175% of your earnings.
Also, if you end up with points on your driving record (you can only have a maximum of 12), you can almost certainly expect to see an increase in your insurance premiums.
If you’re unsure, you can use my free speeding fine calculator for a quick estimate on how much your speeding fine will be.
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.
Should I appeal the speeding fine?
Appealing a speeding fine is a gamble because a court could rule against you. In short, a minor speeding penalty could suddenly become more expensive, so a risk assessment is crucial.
According to experts, fewer than 1% of speeding fines in the UK end up being contested. Plus, only half of the ones that go to appeal are successful! You need to have a valid reason to appeal the parking ticket; otherwise, you’ll likely find yourself in an uncomfortable position. Here are some examples of valid reasons for an appeal.
| 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 |
Note: An unsuccessful appeal against a speeding fine could set you back as much as £2,500 when you won’t or can’t identify who was driving when a ticket was issued. Plus, you could get a driving ban!
Another option is to plead guilty with mitigating circumstances. This is commonly known as pleading ‘special reasons’. This means that you accept you are guilty of the offence but were only speeding due to extenuating circumstances.
For instance, you could have been fleeing from danger, or it might have been a medical emergency. If the court accepts that mitigating circumstances are a factor in your case, the magistrates will likely show leniency during sentencing.
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.
In partnership with Just Answer.
What happens after I get a speeding ticket?
There’s no official procedure for appealing a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN). You have two choices:
- Paying the speeding fine means you automatically accept you broke the law
- Going to court to dispute the fine and therefore not admitting guilt
If you decide to go to court, there’ll be court costs if you lose and other legal implications. Plus, it will take up a lot of your time.
My advice? Think carefully before deciding what to do about a speeding fine, and seek advice from an independent legal adviser if you’re unsure about challenging a ticket.
Should I pay for the speeding ticket instead of appealing it?
If you think you might lose a case if it goes to court, I strongly recommend paying the speeding fine.
You’ll need to provide the following information:
- Your details or the driver at the time details if you weren’t driving
- Fixed Penalty Notice reference number
- Date of the speeding offence
- Offence code
- Your email address and mobile number
Note: you can also pay the speeding fine with a credit or debit card by following the instructions on the Fixed Penalty Notice.
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How do I write a speeding fine appeal letter?
You can contest a speeding fine, although I recommend seeking independent legal advice beforehand.
First, you should contest the fine by replying to a Fixed Penalty Notice with a plea of ‘not guilty’. Next, write your letter of appeal against the FPN.
A speeding fine appeal letter should look something like this template:
Add the current date
Your name
Contact details which should include a postal address and phone number
Fixed Penalty Notice reference number
To whom it may concern,
The main body of the letter
On (date of the ticket), I was wrongly accused of going over the speed limit by (officer name and number)
Explain what happened in the main section of your appeal letter.
Please advise of the steps I should take to contest the speeding fine.
Yours sincerely,
Your signature
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What happens after I send a speeding fine appeal letter?
You’ll receive a court summons after sending your speeding fine appeal letter. You’ll have to attend a magistrates court hearing which allows you to present your argument.
My advice? Although you can represent yourself, you should get a solicitor if you’re sure you have valid grounds to contest the speeding fine. But it could cost you lots of legal fees during the court proceedings if you choose to have representation.
Contesting a speeding fine is challenging at the best of times. Not only is the process time-consuming, but it’s pretty tedious too.
Moreover, if you lose the appeal, it could cost you double the original speeding fine!
On what grounds can you contest a speeding ticket?
There are common and sometimes acceptable grounds for contesting a speeding ticket. This includes that you weren’t the driver when the fine was issued.
Other valid reasons to write a speeding fine appeal letter include the following dispute criteria:
- The Notice of Impending Prosecution (NIP) was incorrect
- Road signage indicating the speed limit was wrong or missing
- The equipment for measuring speed was not calibrated or not used correctly.
How long does it take for a speeding fine to arrive?
A Notice of Intended Prosecution (NIP) must be sent by post within 14 days of the alleged speeding offence to the registered keeper. Then, the registered keeper has 28 days to reply to the NIP as part of te process timeline.
If you are the registered keeper and the driver at the time, you must provide all the information requested in the NIP. But, of course, this applies to whether you intend to file an appeal or not!
What about foreign drivers?
It is far more difficult for the Court to issue penalties for driving offences committed by persons with international driving permits. The Court cannot endorse foreign driving licences. Therefore, alternative sanctions may be issued.
Foreign drivers are normally summoned directly to the court. The DVLA keeps records of any penalty points that should have been issued to a driver. The points may be applied retroactively if that driver subsequently applies for a UK driver’s licence.
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.
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