UK’s new increased speeding fines – explained
As providers of a convicted driver car insurance comparison service we thought that we should highlight that incurring a speeding conviction just got more expensive, thanks to a new three-band system, with increased fines for the most serious offenders. From April 2017, the revised Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 states that people caught speeding could face fines of up to 175% of their weekly income. The most severe, a Band C fine, means anyone caught driving at 101mph and above on a motorway – for example – or 51mph and above in a 30mph zone, will face fines of 150% of their weekly income. They will also be disqualified from between seven and 56 days and get six points on their licence. That translates to at least £750 for those earning £25,000 a year. The changes came in after a consultation showed the previous sentencing guidelines didn’t consider “the potential harm” of speeding, with it being the most common driving offence in the UK.
Are the fines unlimited?
No, the speeding fine is capped at £2,500 for people caught speeding on the motorway, and £1,000 everywhere else.
How do the bands work?
The table below sets out the sentencing guidelines, although magistrates will have the power to take mitigating factors, such as a genuine emergency, or aggravating factors like previous convictions, into account.
| SPEED LIMIT (MPH) | RECORDED SPEED (MPH) | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 | 41 and above | 31 to 40 | 21 to 30 |
| 30 | 51 and above | 41 to 50 | 31 to 40 |
| 40 | 66 and above | 56 to 65 | 41 to 55 |
| 50 | 76 and above | 66 to 75 | 51 to 65 |
| 60 | 91 and above | 81 to 90 | 61 to 80 |
| 70 | 101 and above | 91 to 100 | 71 to 90 |
| Sentencing range | Band C fine (150% of relevant weekly income) | Band B fine (100% of relevant weekly income) | Band A fine (50% of relevant weekly income) |
| Points / disqualification | Disqualification for 7 to 56 days OR 6 points on your licence | Disqualification for 7 to 28 days OR 4 to 6 points on your licence | 3 points on your licence |
How can I get car insurance if I have a speeding conviction?
If you have been convicted of speeding, you might be worrying about how this will affect the cost of your car insurance. It’s true that most providers will offer you a high quote as a result. To get a fair quote at a price you can afford, get multiple quotes from a panel of driving conviction specialist insurance providers. They will take your individual circumstances into account to find a policy that’s right for you.
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