Criminal offences in motoring

There are many criminal offences in motoring and they come with a range of penalties. For example, excessive speeding offences can be met with an automatic driving ban. Other criminal offences in motoring fall within the ‘totting up’ procedure. If you have been charged with a driving offence, you could face a driving ban so you may want to consider seeking advice from a specialist criminal solicitor.

Totting up is the system which allows the criminal court to provide a driver with a penalty other than an instant fine or driving ban. If an individual commits a motoring offence the court will endorse his or her driving licence with a certain number of points which corresponds to the severity of the offence. Speeding offences will be met with an automatic minimum of three points endorsed.

You may not have to go to court for speeding but there is a fixed penalty fee that must be paid. If you are caught drink-driving by the police the courts can endorse up to nine points on your licence and you can face a one year driving ban as a minimum. You can also be requested by the court to retake a driving test once the ban has come to an end before to can drive a motor vehicle again.

If you have totted up 12 points on your licence within a three-year period then you may face a driving disqualification for a minimum of six months. However, the length will vary depending on individual circumstances. In special circumstances you can avoid a disqualification with 12 points but you must present a case of exceptional hardship to the court and it is advised that you engage the services of a criminal solicitor to assist you with preparing your case.

If you would like further advice on criminal offences in motoring, then Contact Law can put you in touch with a local law firm with specialist criminal solicitors free of charge. Please call us on 0800 046 1464 or complete the web-form above.

Last Updated on 04/07/2012