no mot.

[trt]

If you are caught driving by the police without an MOT, do they tow it away or are you given a few days to get it done with a fine?

[New Judge]

You don't usually get a few days to get it done. They don't usually tow it away (unless it is in a dangerous condition).

What you do usually get is a fixed penalty (which I think is �30, but I may be wrong). No penalty points are applicable.

[trt]

Thanks Judge,

[Ethel]

�60 fixed penalty notice

[chrissa1]

You should watch Road Wars, it's always happening on there.

[trt]

chrissa1,

Whats happening on road wars, a fine or taking your car?

By the way, when the police check your registration number plate, does it tell them its not got an MOT, I know it does for a driving licence and insurance?

[ojread2]

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport /Highwaycode/DG_069870

A fine of up to 1,000 pounds according to directgov.co.uk

[New Judge]

Yes oj, that is the statutory maximum fine if the matter is taken to court.

Most offences of no MoT are dealt with by way of a fixed penalty. The matter is usually taken to court only if the offence is committed along with other more serious matters, such as no insurance.

If it is prosecuted in court, magistrates' sentencing guidelines suggest a starting point fine of half a weeks net income (reduced by a third for a guilty plea).

Although I could not be sure, I would hazard a guess that nobody has ever been fined anything like the maximum of �1,000 and I doubt that few, if any, have been fined even half that amount.

[New Judge]

By the way, Ethel, I believe the usual fixed penalty for no MoT is �30. This is according to magistrates' sentencing guidelines page 196.

This would make sense as it is half the �60 levied as a FP for speeding, and the starting point fine for no MoT heard in court is half that for speeding.

[ojread2]

thanks for explaining Judge :-)

1,000 did seem a bit harsh

[up4it]

New Judge - I would suggest the fixed penalty for no MOT is �60 - at least thats what I got done last year (yes I accepted the fixed penalty)

[New Judge]

You woz robbed!

Seriously, the only info I have is taken from the Magistrates' guidelines. (Details of FPs are given there to help them when matters which normally attract an FP are brought before them).

Maybe it varies between areas, I really don't know.