If you’ve received a speeding fine after 14 days, you’re probably wondering if it’s valid and what to do. According to UK law, a Notice of Intended Prosecution (NIP) must be served within 14 days of the alleged offence. This means the notice has to arrive at the address of the registered keeper of the vehicle within this time limit. However, there are circumstances where you can still receive a fine after 14 days. Knowing your rights under the 14 day rule and how to respond will help you know what to do if you’ve been caught speeding. For further guidance, visit #1 Motoring Solicitors.
What’s the 14 Day Rule for Speeding Fines?
Normally, the police have to issue a Notice of Intended Prosecution (NIP) within 14 days of the speeding offence. This is sent to the registered keeper of the vehicle involved in the offence. The NIP will usually come with a fixed penalty notice, telling the driver of the fine and the penalty points to be added to their licence.
If you’ve been caught by a speed camera or other means, the NIP should be posted and arrive within 14 days. If it doesn’t, under the 14-day rule you may have grounds to appeal the fine, but this isn’t always the case as there are exceptions.
Exceptions to the 14 Day Rule
In some cases, receiving a fine after 14 days is still valid, depending on the circumstances. The law allows for mitigating circumstances where the NIP may be late. These exceptions include:
- Wrong address: If the keeper of the vehicle hasn’t updated their details with the DVLA, the notice may be sent to the wrong address and arrive late. In this case, the fine will still stand as the police sent the notice to the last known correct address.
- Hire company: If you were driving a hire car, the fixed penalty notice may be sent to the hire company first and they will then send it to you. This can extend the process but doesn’t automatically invalidate the fine.
- Bank holidays or postal delay: The 14 day rule does allow for delays due to bank holidays or postal services. As long as the notice was posted in time for it to arrive within the 14 day period, the fine will still be valid.
- New car ownership: If you’ve recently bought the vehicle, the police may have sent the NIP to the previous owner, which can cause delays.
What to Do If You Get a Fine After 14 Days?
If you get a fine after 14 days, the first thing to do is check the date of the offence and the date the NIP was issued. If the notice wasn’t sent in time and arrives late with no reason, then you may be able to appeal the fine.
Here’s what to do:
- Check the dates: Check the date of the alleged offence and when the NIP was issued. If the NIP was issued after 14 days, you may have grounds to appeal.
- Review the details: Check the NIP is addressed to the correct registered keeper. If the notice went to a previous owner or the wrong address, the fine will still stand if the police acted on the information they had at the time.
- Get legal advice: If you think the fine is invalid, contact a solicitor who specialises in road traffic offences. They can help you understand your rights and whether you have grounds to appeal.
- Respond within 28 days: Even if you plan to appeal the ticket, you must respond within 28 days of the NIP to avoid a court summons.
Appealing a Fine After 14 Days
If you’ve got a fine after 14 days, you can appeal if you think there’s no valid reason for the delay. However, appealing a fine can be a complicated process, so you’ll need to prove the NIP wasn’t sent in time under the 14 day rule.
The courts will look at whether the NIP was sent to the correct address and served correctly. If you can prove the police didn’t follow the correct procedure, the penalty may be dismissed. However, in many cases, the courts will find there’s a valid reason for the delay and the fine will still stand.
Minimum Fine for Speeding
If you’re caught speeding, the minimum penalty is usually a £100 fixed penalty and 3 points on your licence. For more serious offences, or if you’ve been caught significantly over the speed limit, you could face a higher fine, more points, or a court summons.
In some cases, you may be offered a speed awareness course instead of points so you can avoid points on your licence and learn more about speed limits and road safety.
How to Avoid Speeding Fines
The best way to avoid the hassle of getting a fine is to follow the law and stick to speed limits. Driving within the speed limits keeps you safe and prevents the risk of getting fined, points, or a court summons.
If you do get caught speeding, follow the process correctly when responding to a speeding ticket. Make sure your vehicle details (your address) are always up-to-date so you don’t have any issues with NIPs or fixed penalty notices.
Summary
Getting a fine after 14 days can be frustrating, especially if you think it was issued late. However, understanding the 14 day rule and the exceptions is key when deciding if the fine is valid. In some cases, delays in getting a Notice of Intended Prosecution (NIP) may be justified, and in others, you may be able to appeal.
By reviewing your situation and getting legal advice if needed, you can make a decision on whether to pay the fine or challenge it in court. Whatever the outcome, staying informed and compliant with the road laws will help you avoid future speeding fines.