Expert legal defence for all UK speeding charges — from fixed penalty notices to court hearings and exceptional hardship arguments
Speeding is the most common motoring offence prosecuted in England and Wales, with over two million drivers caught each year. The consequences range from a £100 fixed penalty notice and three penalty points, to a discretionary ban from the magistrates' court for the most serious cases. However, being caught on camera or by a police officer does not automatically mean a conviction — the law imposes strict procedural requirements on the prosecution, and experienced motoring solicitors exploit these at every opportunity.
At Motoring Solicitors UK, our team has defended thousands of speeding cases and understands the technical, procedural and evidential arguments that make the difference between a conviction and an acquittal.
When a speeding conviction is recorded on your driving licence, it is noted with a specific endorsement code under the DVLA system:
| Code | Offence | Points | Duration on Licence |
|---|---|---|---|
| SP10 | Exceeding goods vehicle speed limit | 3–6 | 4 years |
| SP20 | Exceeding speed limit for type of vehicle | 3–6 | 4 years |
| SP30 | Exceeding statutory speed limit on a public road | 3–6 | 4 years |
| SP40 | Exceeding passenger vehicle speed limit | 3–6 | 4 years |
| SP50 | Exceeding speed limit on a motorway | 3–6 | 4 years |
Not all speed cameras are equal in the eyes of the law. Each type of speed detection device must meet specific approval and operational requirements — and failures can be fatal to the prosecution's case.
GATSO cameras use radar to measure speed and photograph the rear of vehicles. Key challenges include: whether the camera was correctly type-approved, whether calibration certificates are valid, whether road markings comply with regulations, and whether the two photographs show a consistent speed. Calibration records must be disclosed by the prosecution — errors in these are surprisingly common.
Average speed cameras calculate speed over a measured distance using ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) technology. Challenges include: technical errors in the ANPR reads, obstructions affecting the camera's view, discrepancies in the measured distance, and whether the system was properly tested before and after the alleged offence.
Handheld laser speed guns are operated by police officers at the roadside. The human element introduces additional challenges: incorrect targeting, failure to comply with the manufacturer's operating instructions, inadequate training records, and insufficient separation from the target vehicle. We regularly obtain police officer notebooks and training records to identify weaknesses.
Where police vehicles have recorded speed using an in-car system such as VASCAR, we assess whether the officer's distance estimation and timing were accurate, and whether GPS data from the system is reliable.
Magistrates follow national sentencing guidelines when determining the penalty for a speeding offence. The guidelines divide offences into three bands based on the degree by which the speed limit was exceeded:
| Band | Speed Over Limit | Starting Point | Points Range | Fine Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Band A | 1–10 mph over | Fixed Penalty Notice | 3 points | Up to 75% weekly income |
| Band B | 11–20 mph over | Fine | 4–6 points or disqual. 7–28 days | 75–125% weekly income |
| Band C | 21+ mph over | Fine | 6 points or disqual. 7–56 days | 125–175% weekly income |
Under section 1 of the Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988, a Notice of Intended Prosecution must be served on the registered keeper of the vehicle within 14 days of the alleged offence (or given at the time). Failure to serve the NIP in time is an absolute defence to the speeding charge — subject to limited exceptions for accidents and where the prosecution could not reasonably have traced the keeper sooner.
The NIP is often served with a Section 172 request requiring the keeper to identify the driver. This is a separate legal obligation, and failure to comply is itself a criminal offence carrying 6 penalty points. Before completing any paperwork, call us — we regularly find technical defects that invalidate the process entirely.
If a speeding conviction would bring your total to 12 or more penalty points within three years, you face a statutory minimum six-month driving ban under the "totting up" provisions. However, the court has discretion to avoid imposing this disqualification if you can demonstrate that exceptional hardship would result — for you or for others who depend on you.
Our solicitors are experts in preparing and presenting exceptional hardship arguments. We gather evidence relating to employment dependency, care responsibilities, financial hardship for dependants, and medical transport needs. Our success rate in contested exceptional hardship hearings is over 94%.
For minor speeding offences, the police may offer a National Speed Awareness Course (NSAC) as an alternative to prosecution. Completing the course means no points on your licence and no fine — but attendance does appear on your insurance record for three years. You can only attend one course in any three-year period.
If you have already been offered and declined a speed awareness course, or if you have attended one in the past three years, you cannot attend another and the NIP process will proceed. Contact us if you are in any doubt about whether to accept a course offer.
Our speeding solicitors are available 24/7 for emergency advice. Don't complete any paperwork before speaking to us.
Free Consultation Call 0800 999 7777A standard speeding conviction carries 3 penalty points for minor excess speed (Band A), 4–6 points for moderate excess (Band B), or 6 points (or a short disqualification) for the most serious excess speed (Band C). Where the offence is particularly serious — for example, driving at more than twice the speed limit — the court has the power to disqualify for up to 56 days instead of endorsing points.
Yes. For serious excess speed in the Band C category, magistrates can impose a discretionary disqualification of between 7 and 56 days instead of points. This is most likely where you are significantly over the speed limit — for example, 51 mph or more in a 30 mph zone. A solicitor can present mitigation to reduce the severity of the penalty or argue against a ban altogether.
Ignoring a Notice of Intended Prosecution is not advisable. The registered keeper is legally obliged under s.172 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 to provide the details of the driver at the time of the alleged offence. Failure to do so is a criminal offence in its own right, carrying 6 penalty points and a fine of up to £1,000. It is not a defence that you were the driver and would have received only 3 points from the original offence.
Speeding endorsements (codes SP10–SP50) remain on your driving licence for four years from the date of the offence. During this period the points count towards the 12-point totting up threshold. The endorsement will also be visible to insurance companies, who typically look back three to five years when calculating premiums. After four years the endorsement is spent and must be removed from the licence on renewal.
Yes. A speeding conviction typically increases motor insurance premiums, particularly for younger drivers. The extent of the increase depends on the insurer, your existing driving history, and the severity of the offence. Insurance companies can access the DVLA database and are entitled to ask about unspent convictions when you renew or take out a new policy. Failing to disclose convictions can invalidate your insurance.