Motor Offences | Maximum Penalties and Punishments

Motor Offences & Penalties

Motor Offence/Maximum Penalties & Punishments	Prison	Fine	Driving Ban	Penalty Points
Causing death by dangerous driving*	14 years	Unlimited	Obligatory. Min 2 years compulsory re–test	3–11**
Dangerous driving*	2 years	Unlimited	Obligatory. Compulsory re–test	3–11**
Causing death by careless driving under the influence of drink or drugs	14 years	Unlimited	Obligatory Min 2 years	3–11**
Careless driving, inconsiderate driving, driving without due care and attention		£2,500	Discretionary	3–9
Driving while unfit through drink or drugs or with excess alcohol; or failing to provide a specimen for analysis	6 months	£5,000	Obligatory	3–11**
Failing to stop after an accident or failing to report an accident	6 months	£5,000	Discretionary	5–10
Driving when disqualified	6 months (12 in Scotland)	£5,000	Discretionary	6
Driving after refusal or revocation of licence on medical grounds	6 months	£5,000	Discretionary	3–6
Driving without insurance		£5,000	Discretionary	6–8
Driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence	3–6 months	£1,000	Discretionary	3–6
Speeding		£1,000 motorway: £2,500	Discretionary	3–6 (FPN: 3)
Traffic light offences		£1,000	Discretionary	3
No MOT Certificate		£1,000
Seat belt offences		£500
Dangerous cycling		£2,500
Careless cycling		£1,000
Cycling on pavement		£500
Failing to identify driver of vehicle		£1,000	Discretionary	6
Use of hand–held mobile phone whilst in charge of a vehicle		£1,000 £2,500†		3

*	Where a court disqualifies a person on conviction for one of these offences, it must order an extended re–test. The courts also have discretion to order a re–test for any other offence which carries penalty points: an extended re–test where disqualification is obligatory, and an ordinary test where disqualification is not obligatory.
**	If exceptionally not disqualified
†	If driving a bus, coach or heavy goods vehicle
FPN	Fixed Penalty Notice