FAQs

Question: I have been flashed by a speed camera while doing between 35mph and 40 mph in a 30 zone. What can I expect?

Answer: Just because you’ve been flashed, it doesn’t necessarily mean you will be prosecuted. However, if you have been, you can expect to receive a Notice of Intended Prosecution (NIP) within 14 days. This will offer you the chance to take a 3 point endorsement on your licence and pay a £60 fine. You can either opt to take this option, or you can go to court and argue your case. If you do this and fail to win the case, you will be liable to pay court costs (normally £45) and potentially a heavier fine.

Question: A friend of mine was clocked by a roads policing officer doing 68mph in a 40mph zone. Is he likely to get a more severe fine than the usual fixed penalty £60 and 3 points penalty?

Answer: If you were caught exceeding the speed limit by this amount in the Thames Valley, you could expect to appear in court. Depending on the circumstances, you may be charged with a more serious offence than speeding, which would alter the punishment you would be likely to face.

Question: My new bike is insured, but not MOT’d or taxed. I’ve just fitted new brake pads and want to make sure its safe for the MOT tomorrow. If I rode the bike around the block a few times to shake the bike down a bit and to get the brakes working would traffic police officers be happy with my explanation?

Answer: This is a hard one to call. You would be breaking the law as soon as you went out onto the public road. Why don’t you put your bike into a van and take it to a private area to test just to be safe?