Speeding Tickets UK: NIPs, FPNs, Court and Awareness Courses

#How a speeding ticket starts

Most speeding offences in the UK are detected by camera. Fixed yellow Gatso cameras, average speed cameras (the painted lines on motorway roadworks), and mobile police vans all do the work. A small share of tickets come from a marked or unmarked patrol with handheld radar or laser.

After detection, the registered keeper of the vehicle gets a Notice of Intended Prosecution, or NIP, in the post. The NIP is not a ticket itself. It is a request to confirm who was driving. You have 28 days to reply.

#The 14 day rule for NIPs

The police must send the NIP within 14 days of the offence to the registered keeper. If the NIP arrives later than that, you can challenge the prosecution on technical grounds. Note that the rule is about the date sent, not the date received. A late delivery in the post does not necessarily make the NIP invalid.

The NIP comes with a Section 172 form, which is the legal instrument that compels you to name the driver. Failing to name the driver is itself an offence and carries 6 points. Always reply within the 28 day window, even if you intend to dispute the offence later.

#What happens after you name the driver

Once you confirm who was driving, the police decide on the next step based on the recorded speed, the speed limit, and the driver record. There are usually four outcomes.

• A speed awareness course offer, for low level speeding by drivers who have not done a course in three years.
• A Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) of £100 and 3 points, for typical mid range speeds.
• A court summons, for higher speeds or repeat offending.
• No further action, for example if technical evidence is missing.

#The Fixed Penalty Notice

The standard FPN for speeding is £100 plus 3 points. Some forces issue 3 to 6 points depending on the speed. You can pay online with the offence reference number from the FPN. The points appear on your licence record within a few weeks.

#The speed awareness course

For speeds in the lower bracket of an offence, you may be offered a National Speed Awareness Course in place of points. Course thresholds vary by force, but a common rule is 10% of the limit plus 9 mph above the limit at the upper end. Below that range, you get the course offer; above it, you get points or court.

The course costs around £90 to £100, runs for around four hours, and is now mostly delivered online by accredited providers. You can only take one in any three year window. Most insurers do not surcharge for attending, although you should disclose it if asked.

#When speeding goes to court

Higher speeds skip the FPN and go straight to a magistrates summons. The court bands are based on the recorded speed against the limit, in three categories.

• Band A: small overspeed, fine of around 50% of weekly income, plus 3 points.
• Band B: significant overspeed, fine of around 100% of weekly income, plus 4 to 6 points or a short ban.
• Band C: extreme overspeed, fine of around 150% of weekly income, plus a 7 to 56 day ban.

For example, a recorded speed of 100 mph in a 70 mph limit usually lands in band C and triggers an immediate ban. The court will also ask whether the offence is a first time or part of a pattern. Repeat offenders face longer bans.

#Common myths

A few persistent myths cause expensive mistakes. None of them work in practice.

• There is no rule that says you can drive 10% over the limit safely. Tolerances are policy, not law.
• Cameras are not switched off at night. Most fixed Gatsos run 24 hours.
• Painting your number plate or fitting an angled cover is illegal and adds a separate offence.
• A photo without a face does not invalidate prosecution. The keeper duty under Section 172 covers it.

#How to dispute a ticket

If you genuinely believe the ticket is wrong, write to the issuing police force within the deadline and state your grounds. Common grounds include incorrect registration on the NIP, faulty calibration of the camera, or that the road sign was missing or obscured. The force may either drop the case or refer it to court for a magistrate to decide.

#How speeding tickets affect insurance

A single SP30 with 3 points typically raises a young driver premium by 10 to 25% at next renewal. Two SP30s in three years can push it 50% higher. A speed awareness course rarely raises the premium. Always declare points to your insurer when they appear on your licence, even mid policy. For wider context, see our licence points and disqualification guide and the young driver insurance UK page. The first month after passing page covers the most common first year mistakes that lead to a ticket.