My First Speeding Fine Ever

[Treacle71]

I did 36 in a 30 zone. Do I just pay up and that's it? And then it's forgotten about?

[Prudie]

Doesn't it tell you? You pay up and usually get 3 points on your licence unless they've offered you a speed awareness course (or whatever it's called these days). Have you been offered that? In that case you pay for the course but don't get the points.

[New Judge]

Assuming you were not stopped at the time, first of all you have to respond to the "request for driver's details" by naming yourself as the driver. For that speed, unless the offence was in Scotland (where they are not offered) you should be offered an "Retraining" Course for that speed. This will cost you about £90 and about three hours of your time. If you don't fancy that, you will be offered a fixed penalty of £100 and 3 points. If you fail to accept either of those, the matter will be heard in court.

Check your insurance documents. If you have points imposed you will need to tell them. Some insurers need to know immediately, others at renewal.

[lankeela]

Do the course if offered - it is interesting and informative and if you are going to have to pay anyway you might as well. Then you won't get the points on your licence.

[Treacle71]

I just think it's pretty mean with only 6 over 30mph. I'm in England, btw.

[barry1010]

That is 20% over the speed limit, what do you think the tolerance should be?

[lankeela]

Why is it pretty mean? That 6 mph could be the difference between just maiming or killing someone if you hit them. Speed limits are there for a reason.

[Smowball]

Treacle, but they will say that you were doing 20% on top of the speed you should have been doing.

[gingejbee]

^30mph isn't the speed you should have been doing...it's the maximum speed you are permitted to do!

[naomi24]

//they will say that you were doing 20% on top of the speed you should have been doing. //

They won't say anything. Just take the fine and the points or do the course.

[New Judge]

I have sat as an observer on a Speed Awareness Course (honest! It was in connection with some of the work that I do). This was back in the day when they were held in person (which they rarely are now). It was very informative and revealing. Most revealing was the apparent lack of knowledge of many of the road laws among some of the participants and it made me realise why so many speeding offences are committed.

[Karamia]

If you are offered a chance to pay for the course (which is about £100 - same as the fixed penalty anyway) my best advice would be to take it. You will avoid getting 3 points on licence. If you choose not to and simply pay the fixed penalty then prepare for your car insurance to increase well over £100 per year for the next 3-5 years before it gets wiped out and during the next few years you have to fill all these details in on the car insurance forms each and every year remembering the date it happened and code it was under etc.
Far easier to take the course if it your first offence.

[davebro]

I've had a handful of speeding fines - last one was 36 in a 30 in 2014. Never been offered the driver education course.

[New Judge]

Very strange, dave. They are usually offered up to (Limit + 10% + 9mph). The police are quite keen on them because, unlike fixed penalties, they get a cut of around £35 from each one.

[granny grump]

I've completed a speed awareness course some years ago - I was doing 34 in a 30 so deserved - and found it extremely interesting. There were 3 or 4 rooms - all full. Everyone was asked for a show of hands the speed that they were exceeding and there was someone for every speed 30,40,50,60 & 70

[Treacle71]

How long does the course run for? Thank you for your answers so far xx

[bednobs]

about 3 hrs#

[barry1010]

Usually 4 hours

[ToraToraTora]

First you'll get an NIP (Notice of intended prosecution) you will respond to that confirming you are the driver. Then you'll get an offer of a fixed penalty and/or a course. Opt for the course and also the fixed penalty, for this level of "speeding" you'll probably get the course. The course takes a couple of hours, probably on zoom, you have to actively partake, then they'll let you off the three points. The cost of the course will be more or less the same as the fine.

[ToraToraTora]

Last course I did was on Zoom and it took 2 hours.

[barry1010]

Everything you need to know here https://www.carwow.co.uk/blog/speed-awareness-courses?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=71700000080065409&utm_group=58700006735965072&;utm_keyword=&utm_term=DYNAMIC+SEARCH+ADS&;network=g&;utm_account=700000001745867&gclid=CjwKCAjw__ihBhADEiwAXEazJuaW36Tnb4ykFrAiylgbtY2bHJKEzdKqRdxbn7-qF2PgygQGHVfZ3RoC8lsQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds