Maximum Penalties
Driving Offence |
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. Min 1 year. |
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 | N/A | £5,000 | 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 Scotland: 12 months |
£5,000 | Discretionary | 6 |
Driving after refusal or revocation of licence on medical grounds | 6 months | £5,000 | Discretionary | 3–6 |
Driving without insurance | N/A | £5,000 FPN: £200 |
Discretionary | 6–8 FPN: 6 |
Driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence | N/A | £1,000 | Discretionary | 3–6 |
Speeding | N/A | £1,000£2,500† FPN: £100 |
Discretionary | 3–6 FPN: 3 |
Traffic light offences | N/A | £1,000 FPN: £100 |
Discretionary | 3 |
No MOT Certificate | N/A | £1,000 FPN: £30 |
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Seat belt offences | N/A | £500 FPN: £100 |
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Dangerous cycling | N/A | £2,500 | ||
Careless cycling | N/A | £1,000 | ||
Cycling on pavement | N/A | £500 | ||
Failing to identify driver of vehicle | N/A | £1,000 | Discretionary | 6 |
Use of hand–held mobile phone whilst in charge of a vehicle | N/A | £1,000 £2,500†† FPN: £100 |
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. |
† | Motorway. |
†† | If driving a bus, coach or heavy goods vehicle. |
FPN | Fixed Penalty Notice. |