What Happens if You’ve Been Charged with a Motoring Offence?

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Loss of your driving license, imprisonment, financial penalty, or an order to take a course – these are some of the consequences that await you in the case of being charged with a motoring offence. Depending on the seriousness of the offence, you may receive different punishment options.

Each driver has a limit of penalty points that can be earned for not following traffic regulations. Young drivers with less than 3 years of driving experience should be extremely vigilant. Newly qualified drivers may have their driving licence cancelled after collecting only 6 points.

On a regular driving license (i.e. if you have had a driving license for more than two years), the cancellation will only take place after you have scored 12 or more penalty points. 

Penalty points are essential determinants for which you must watch out as a driver. In the article below, we will present to you the most common offences and the related consequences.

Invalid MOT

In case of a car accident when you have an invalid MOT, your insurance is cancelled, which is making you responsible for any repairs. Furthermore, the police can fine you up to £1000 when they detect your car in Police Automatic Vehicle Registration Recognition (AVRR) and discover that your vehicle’s MOT should be prolonged.

Remember that driving without a valid MOT is permitted in some specific cases:

  • When driving to the MOT test centre
  • If your car was manufactured less than 3 years ago
  • If you are driving a pre-1960 car, an electric truck, or a tractor

Note: If your car’s MOT was about to expire within the period from 30 March to 30 July, it is automatically extended for 6 months because of the COVID-19. 

Drunk-Driving

Legal alcohol driving limits are:

  • 80 milligrams in blood
  • 35 micrograms in breath
  • 107 milligrams in urine 

It is difficult to say how many drinks it is, as the alcohol level is influenced by various factors that should be considered individually. Your sex, weight, age, and metabolism, as well as the type and amount of beverages you consume, all affect the alcohol content in your breath. Therefore, it is always best to have a breathalyzer with you and check it if in doubt.

If you exceed these values and are caught by the police, you will face serious consequences. Driving the vehicle under the influence of alcohol may result in:

  •  imprisonment for 3 months (or even 14 years, if you cause death by careless driving)
  • up to 2500 pounds fine
  • driving ban

Speeding

If you’re found guilty for speeding, for sure, you can expect a minimum penalty of £100 and 3 penalty points. You can be either caught by the speed camera or by the police. 

In the first case, you will have to send back a so-called “Section 172 notice” within 28 days, and indicate who was driving the vehicle and violated the rules. After that, you will receive a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN), or a document telling you to go to court. If the police stop you, they can give you a warning, FPN, or an order to go to court. 

It is worth understanding the message following the speed limit. It is not the safest speed on the given road; it is the maximum value you can reach on the speedometer. Remember to always adjust the speed to the road conditions, particular weather, and the type of car you drive.

Parking Fines

The price of the penalty for parking without a ticket is strictly dependent on who issued it and what type of parking it is. Depending on the kind of fine, you usually have to pay it within 28 days. However, you may get a discount when you pay within 14 days.

If you frequently park in a particular area, for example, near your home or workplace, you can apply for a parking permit. Such a ticket is bought for a longer period and is cheaper than buying a parking ticket every day. You can get a parking permit by entering your zip code on a government website and finding your parking zone.

Conclusion

You have to be very careful on the road as there are many offences that you will have to answer in case of inattention. The Highway Code describes many situations that may occur on the route for a reason. The main goal is to keep all road users as safe as possible.

Clear rules on how to behave on the road can reduce the severity of motoring offences. However, it must be remembered that if you are accused of them, the severe consequences await you. Knowing that should make you a more careful driver.