There are a number of different scenarios if you have been driving above the speed limit. You could be offered a fixed penalty at the roadside, or receive a verbal or written notice of intended prosecution at the time of the offence. You may receive a notice of intended prosecution by post. The outcome will be:

Another option sometimes offered for speeding is a fixed penalty notice. You may be offered a fixed penalty notice at the time of the offence at the discretion of the officer. Although speeding is an offence for which you will receive points it is not necessary for you to hand over your licence or send it off. As everything is computerised the fixed penalty can be given at the side of the road. The only situation this may not occur is if the computers are not working or there is an issue relating to identity or documents.

If you accept the fixed penalty notice, you will receive 3 points on your licence and will be required to pay £100 within 28 days.

What is the penalty?

The magistrates use guidelines to assist them in deciding on a sentence. The magistrates can impose anything from 3 points and a financial penalty to a lengthy disqualification.

It is often the case that although you are only receiving 3 points on your licence you may be disqualified as a result of the totting provisions and reaching 12 points on your licence will mean a disqualification.

Alternatively you may be a new driver link and receiving 3 points would take you to 6 points and result in your licence being revoked.

You could be in the position that you are facing a disqualification for the high speed you were travelling. Sometimes if you have sent the documentation to the court you will receive a letter asking you to attend court for the magistrates to consider disqualification.