The penalty for speeding varies according to the gravity of the offence but it should not exceed £2,500.  The other one is three to six penalty points on your driving licence or you may face disqualification from driving for at least seven days and usually the highest is 56 days. There are also instances that the magistrates would impose higher than 56-day disqualification.

The magistrates have the discretion to go beyond this usual length of time of disqualification where they would think the offence or the drivers record has been so bad, and that an increased period of disqualification would be merited.

If for example, you’re convicted of driving at a speed of 51 mph or above within a 30 mph speed limit, the starting point for the magistrates will be to consider your disqualification from driving for between seven and 56 days.

So, you should know what are the defences to a charge of an offence of speeding?

(1.)   Factual – I was not speeding
(2.)   Expired time limits i.e. Notice of intended prosecution and summons
(3.)  Signage – The speed limit was not identifiable
(4.)  Speed detection devices – was it approved, operating correctly and operated correctly.

If you’re into this situation in your driving career, defend yourself by resorting to the expert’s services of the speeding offence solicitors, because they can assist you if you’ve received a court summons or fixed penalty notice and you intend to challenge the prosecution or minimise the penalty to be imposed.

In each and every case these solicitors will provide a provisional assessment of any grounds for challenging your prosecution, the likelihood of success and the possible penalties which may be imposed according to the gravity of speeding offence.

If you would accept that you were really speeding, then your sentence to be imposed would be mitigated by the magistrates based on your arguments using “special reasons” which would effectively be persuading the court that your case could be addressed with fewer penalty points through endorsement or it would be persuading the court to endorse your licence with points, in more serious cases, as a driving disqualification alternative.

Whether you receive a fixed penalty or a court summons will be up to the discretion of the police officer dealing with your case. As a general rule and subject to guidance from ASPO or the Association of Chief Police Officers, you’ll receive a fixed penalty if you’re marginally above the speed limit and a court summons if you’re well above.

If you accept that you are speeding and you are offered a Fixed Penalty Notice, you are advised to accept the offer, as if you do not you will be summonsed to court and the penalty which you receive will undoubtedly be higher.

The short answer to this question is NO. The court must consider the fine imposed and the issue of disqualification or points separately. This is for the reason that the courts must apply justice fairly and to sentence people in the same way irrespective of their means.