DRIVING OFFENCES
What is the conviction code for speeding?
For every type of speeding offence there is a conviction code. These are used by law enforcers as a shorthand for the offence committed. Each conviction code will indicate the type of speeding offence, together with the corresponding penalty.
The following stay on a driving licence for four years from the date of offence.
Code | Offence | Points |
SP10 | Exceeding goods vehicle speed limits | 3-6 |
SP20 | Exceeding speed limit for type of vehicle (excluding foods or passenger vehicles) | 3-6 |
SP30 | Exceeding statutory speed limit on a public road | 3-6 |
SP40 | Exceeding passenger vehicle speed limit | 3-6 |
SP50 | Exceeding speed limit on a motorway | 3-6 |
What happens when I am caught speeding?
The majority of drivers caught speeding will be classed as having committed a ‘minor offence’. As a result, they will receive a Fixed Penalty Notice of a £100 fine and be given three points on their license.
You may be offered an alternative of a Speed Awareness Course – but this is only an option if it is your first speeding offence, or if you haven’t attended a speed awareness course in the past three years.
Serious speeding offences
However, in some situations, you may face a more severe punishment, which may see a prosecution in court. This will lead to a higher fine, more points on your license, a driving suspension or even a driving disqualification.
Prosecutions will normally only occur if the driver is deemed a serious offender – if they’ve either severely exceeded the speed limit or have repeatedly committed the offence.
In these serious offences, the police will give you 28 days to nominate the driver and pay the charge, the points will then be issued to the license.
If you don’t reply within 28 days, your case is referred to court, where the penalty could be as high as £2500.
Since 24 April 2017, your sentence will follow these guidelines:
Legal speed limit (mph) | Recorded speed (mph) | Recorded speed (mph) | Recorded speed (mph) |
Category | Band A | Band B | Band C |
20 | 21-30 | 31-40 | 41 and above |
30 | 31-40 | 41-50 | 51 and above |
40 | 41-55 | 56-65 | 66 and above |
50 | 51-65 | 66-75 | 76 and above |
60 | 61-80 | 81-90 | 91 and above |
70 | 71-90 | 91-100 | 101 and above |
Points/disqualification | 3 points | Disqualify 7-28 days or 4-6 points | Disqualify 7-56 days or 6 points |
Fine | 50% of relevant weekly income | 00% of relevant weekly income | 150% of relevant weekly income |
If you need any advice regarding speeding, contact our team of lawyers at DPP Law who are specialised in all matters relating to driving offences.