Quick question related to NIP for speeding

[TeaNoSugar]

Before I put the details of this query; i have used the search facility but the threads are inconclusive and most are quite old and I wanted to try and find up to date information.

Anyway, it (should be) quite simple I think:

1. I was photographed by a mobile camera at 36mph in a 30 zone, on 4th October.
2. I am the registered owner of the car, have been since 26th May this year, and I haven't moved house or changed any details with the DVLA since 2010, so one would think there should be no issue with the police sending the notice out on time??
3. I received an NIP, dated 21st October (and I received it 22nd October) - 17 days after the date of the offence.

Having read the FAQ's, there's one that says something like "I've received this NIP more than 14 days after the date of the offence. What should I do?". The answer they give is to state that the law requires them to issue a notice within 14 days, but says I should still fill in the form and return. That's fair enough, I've no desire to commit an offence by not replying and confirming my details etc.

So, assuming I play by the rules, fill in the form, confirm it was me driving, I'm the registered keeper etc., and then what?

Given that their NIP wasn't even produced until after the 14 day limit? Do I politely point this out with the returned completed form, and request a response, or use one of those generic template letters which waffles on for about 3 pages, or do I just suck it up, pay the fine and do the Speed Awareness course (I haven't done one in the last 3 years and they do state that they offer the courses at their discretion).

If it makes any difference, I think I have a clean license at the moment (or if not, there are 3 points just about to expire).

Not sure what the best course of action is. I know rules are rules, but without trying to dress it up, I'll be honest and if there's an easy way out to avoid the fine/points/SAC, I'll happily have a go, as long as I'm opening myself up to anything more serious.

Like I said, there are 3 or 4 relevant posts using the search facility but some are years old and they don't really say anything conclusive.

Any ideas?

[TeaNoSugar]

Thanks for the link, I'd never heard of Peppipoo, it looks like quite a useful service. Unfortunately the "NIP Wizard" wouldn't work as their system wouldn't send me a validation email. Regardless of that, by reading around on the forum, I think I have found the information I was after.

Doesn't seem like the "expiry date" defence would work in this case. Oh well, 3 points or the SAC it is then!

Much appreciated.

[TeaNoSugar]

Sorry I haven't replied to these further points. To clarify, I was being slightly dense I think. The car is leased from VWFS however when i asked the lady I dealt with at the VW dealership I got the car from, she said I should tell the insurers that I'm the registered keeper. I therefore assumed that the DVLA would also have the same details but I think they may have listed VW as the owner so the police probably had to get my details from VW, hence the late NIP.

Thanks for the helps though, it is appreciated

[TeaNoSugar]

The insurance issue had occurred to me. I will check the policy wording. It's with Direct Line, and from memory I think there was a specific option on the questionnaire for personal lease cars, although I definitely want to be sure of that.

As someone pointed out, I don't hold the V5C so I'm not the registered keeper. I can't believe that never really occurred to me. The woman I dealt with at VW sounded very sure of that, but then again I wouldn't have picked up on the difference between "keeper" and "registered keeper".

Every day's a school day.

Many thanks to the people who've replied.