Speeding Offence Guide
Speeding offences fall into 5 general categories
- Offences committed on roads restricted to speeds of 20, 30, 40, and 50 mph
- Temporary speed limits placed on roads with limits of 50-70 mph
- Exceeding the limit on motorways
- Exceeding the speed limit applicable for the class of vehicle driven
- Failing to attain a minimum speed limit set for a specific class of road
Normally there must be two independent pieces of evidence to prove the allegation, one of which may be a speed-measuring device. Use of speed measuring devices are covered by various rules, breach of which may cause the prosecution to fail. The most commonly used devices are:
- Gatso
- Truevelo
- LTI 2020
- Vascar / Police Pilot
- Calibrated Speedometer
Our knowledge guide on speed cameras lists all the common speed cameras in use
What code is speeding offence?
The code for speeding offences that get applied to driving licences is SPXX where XX is a two-digit number specifying the exact nature of the speeding offence. It can be one of the following:
- SP10 – Exceeding goods vehicle speed limits
- SP20 – Exceeding speed limit for type of vehicle (excluding goods or passenger vehicles)
- SP30 – Exceeding statutory speed limit on a public road
- SP40 – Exceeding passenger vehicle speed limit
- SP50 – Exceeding speed limit on a motorway
Do I need an NIP (Notice of Intended Prosecution) for speeding?
Yes, there is a requirement for an NIP for speeding unless one of the exceptions apply. Please go to our Notice of Intended Prosecution guide for further information.
Punishment for Speeding
Fine up to £1,000 (£2,500 on motorways), 3-6 points, and discretionary disqualification for up to 6 months. In extreme cases prison or an unlimited disqualification apply, although these are usually prosecuted as either Careless or Dangerous Driving.
Defences to Speeding
It is necessary for the prosecution to show by 2 separate means that an offence has been committed, which is why they paint the lines on the road to back up the speed cameras. Fuller information on the type of device used in your case and the problems with this can be found in our speed device guides. The police regularly fail to issue the appropriate paperwork and there are a lot of technical defences to this charge, particularly where the device may not have been used correctly. We always recommend that you seek legal advice before accepting that you were either the driver of the vehicle concerned or that you were speeding.
Speed Limits
* The 30 mph limit usually applies to all traffic on all roads with street lighting unless signs show otherwise.
** 60 mph (96 km/h) if articulated or towing a trailer.