What Is A Fixed Penalty Notice And When Might You Receive One?

Driving offences that can and do occur on the UK roads are many and their severity, as well as their consequences, vary. Accordingly, the penalties that are enforced as a result of a driving offence also vary, depending on the severity of the offence, from fines, penalty points, disqualification and imprisonment. Fixed Penalty Notices are usually appropriate for the more ‘minor’ offences. The police can pull you over at anytime whilst you are driving and if you fail to stop or purposely try and evade the police you will be committing a criminal offence.

‘Minor’ motoring offences such as not wearing a seatbelt, having a broken side light or ignoring a sign prohibiting you from turning left or right, can result in you being pulled over by the police and issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice. A Fixed Penalty Notice is a one off fine which, depending on the severity of the offence that has been committed, can range from £30 to £200. Again, the severity and type of offence will determine whether you also receive an endorsement of penalty points on your licence. Endorsable offences include speeding, traffic light offences and driving without insurance.

If you are pulled over and issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice you are not legally required to pay the fine there and then (though you may). Instead, you will have 28 days to pay the Fixed Penalty Notice and if you do not pay within this time the fee may increase by 50% and/or you may be prosecuted.

It may be your intention to argue that the Fixed Penalty Notice was issued unjustifiably. If this is the case then you have 28 days in which to request a court hearing whereupon you will be able to put forward your argument that the issuing of the Fixed Penalty Notice was unjust or that there were mitigating circumstances. It would be advisable, if you are to dispute that the Fixed Penalty Notice was not justifiable, to seek advice from a motor offence lawyer who will be able to advise you on the chances of your being successful at court and on how best to proceed to avoid incurring even further costs.

If you have been issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice you should either pay the fine as soon as possible (within 28 days) or, if you are intending to dispute the fine and/or endorsement, seek advice from a specialist motor offence lawyer as soon as possible.

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