Speeding in Rental car - US or UK License?
Discussion
Hey guys, hoping for some support here...back in August my daily driver was in the shop...so the dealership set me up with a rental for a week or so. Got a ticket for 42 in a 30...damn mobile unit positioned around a bend where the limit went from 60-30 into a village. Note I'm a US citizen, resident in the UK, and have had my UK license just under a year, (although having driven in the US for 20+)
Regardless of how annoying the positioning of the camera was, I was speeding and I accept that. I finally received the ticket notification in the mail last week. Took them from August 8 (date of offense) until 16th of November to process it
I was hoping just to do the re-education course thing, and avoid the points. However, according to the options on the forms, "we can only offer a course if we received a driver admission within 74 days of the offence date. If this cannot be achieved an offer will not be made."
I didn't even get the ticket until over 100 days after the offence! So I guess that means I'm screwed because of their processing times?
Second question.....I still have a valid US license....and although my UK license supersedes this obviously technically, according to the rental agency, they only send my name and address to the police - nothing about what license I rented the car under.
I'm wondering if I claim I was driving on my US license if I avoid the points. I have considered if I ever got pulled over to hand them my US, as it's outside of jurisdiction. I don't mind paying the fine, but wondering if that's a technical work around to the points. I can mark on the form that I have a non UK license.
I've heard of expat friends doing this with foreign licenses after moving back to the UK before (one has a UAE license and one a Nigerian license), even while holding their UK licenses. It's a bit dodgy but just wondering if it's worth the risk that they don't connect the dots from my US to my UK license.
Regardless of how annoying the positioning of the camera was, I was speeding and I accept that. I finally received the ticket notification in the mail last week. Took them from August 8 (date of offense) until 16th of November to process it
I was hoping just to do the re-education course thing, and avoid the points. However, according to the options on the forms, "we can only offer a course if we received a driver admission within 74 days of the offence date. If this cannot be achieved an offer will not be made."
I didn't even get the ticket until over 100 days after the offence! So I guess that means I'm screwed because of their processing times?
Second question.....I still have a valid US license....and although my UK license supersedes this obviously technically, according to the rental agency, they only send my name and address to the police - nothing about what license I rented the car under.
I'm wondering if I claim I was driving on my US license if I avoid the points. I have considered if I ever got pulled over to hand them my US, as it's outside of jurisdiction. I don't mind paying the fine, but wondering if that's a technical work around to the points. I can mark on the form that I have a non UK license.
I've heard of expat friends doing this with foreign licenses after moving back to the UK before (one has a UAE license and one a Nigerian license), even while holding their UK licenses. It's a bit dodgy but just wondering if it's worth the risk that they don't connect the dots from my US to my UK license.
carlove said:
Not sure if this is true or an old wives tale but I believe the police have 14 days to send you the ticket.
Yes, to the registered keeper. In this case, a rental car, it doesn't mean they have to get the ticket to the OP in 14 days.
To the OP, its only 3 points isn't it? I'd just take it on the chin rather than try fiddling the system (which might get you in more bother if the connect the dots?, which they might do if they realise you have other vehicles registered to you in the UK, or if they find out you are a resident.)
Edited by DuraAce on Monday 26th November 11:38
They make a "host" UK licence if you provide US licence details, so I guess that is when they could find out you have a UK one. However, lots of ifs and buts if they will make the connection as any government IT system is notoriously bad.
Unlike anywhere else in the world, they treat speeding in the UK as some terrible deed and will go through any length to get a conviction for some unknown reason though. They "may" even start checking how long you have lived there and why you don't have a UK licence.
However, as you are not trying to get out of the fine, they may just be happy to get the money as that is the driver anyway.
Unlike anywhere else in the world, they treat speeding in the UK as some terrible deed and will go through any length to get a conviction for some unknown reason though. They "may" even start checking how long you have lived there and why you don't have a UK licence.
However, as you are not trying to get out of the fine, they may just be happy to get the money as that is the driver anyway.
Stove454 said:
Yeah the offense was 8-8, the ticket went to rental agency on 24-8. I just received it finally 16-11.
As BertBert said - the ticket looks invalid. Proving it might be entertaining thoughOffense 8-8 - clock starts 9-8
Initial letter to RK must have been received / through the door by 23-8
How sure are you of the 24-8 - can you get any proof of that
Sean
BertBert said:
Stove454 said:
Yeah the offense was 8-8, the ticket went to rental agency on 24-8. I just received it finally 16-11.
Isn't the first part longer than the allowable 14 days?OP the one strange thing is the length of time between the rental co getting their Nip and you receiving yours which seems to have scuppered your chance of an SAC. One would assume that the rental co named you within the prescribed 28 days or they would be guilty of a S172 offence which means someone at the SCP has been sitting on it for an inordinate length of time.
I would try calling them and asking the question, you may get an SAC out of it yet
I would try calling them and asking the question, you may get an SAC out of it yet
I was pulled over in a rental for speeding on a motorway.
Car was rented on my UAE licence. UK licence has been dormant for 10+ years.
I presented my UAE licence at the roadside and they found my UK licence within 2 minutes and applied points to that.
Had the option of either going to court or immediately paying 100 at the roadside by phone. I chose the latter.
Car was rented on my UAE licence. UK licence has been dormant for 10+ years.
I presented my UAE licence at the roadside and they found my UK licence within 2 minutes and applied points to that.
Had the option of either going to court or immediately paying 100 at the roadside by phone. I chose the latter.
I think that you are clutching at straws.
You could challenge that the NIP wasn't received in time, but you would need to sheck the posting date of the ORIGINAL NIP sent to the registered keeper before you can kno wif you have a chance. If you do challenge this then you will need to go to court to do it rather than an email / telephone battle with a clerk.
There is no automatic right to a SAC, so you can't really complain that you have lost your "entitlement" because they were lazy or incompetent in forwarding it to you.
You could try supplying your US licence details, but if the name and address that you supplied is the same as your UK licence address then it is possible that they will link this to you. This might result in more severe penalties?
Is it all really worth it for the sake of £100 / 3 points? You broke the law, they caught you, suck it up! ( Not being holier-than-thou, they got me too... )
You could challenge that the NIP wasn't received in time, but you would need to sheck the posting date of the ORIGINAL NIP sent to the registered keeper before you can kno wif you have a chance. If you do challenge this then you will need to go to court to do it rather than an email / telephone battle with a clerk.
There is no automatic right to a SAC, so you can't really complain that you have lost your "entitlement" because they were lazy or incompetent in forwarding it to you.
You could try supplying your US licence details, but if the name and address that you supplied is the same as your UK licence address then it is possible that they will link this to you. This might result in more severe penalties?
Is it all really worth it for the sake of £100 / 3 points? You broke the law, they caught you, suck it up! ( Not being holier-than-thou, they got me too... )
Edited by Wooda80 on Tuesday 27th November 07:58
Jaybee1981 said:
I was pulled over in a rental for speeding on a motorway.
Car was rented on my UAE licence. UK licence has been dormant for 10+ years.
I presented my UAE licence at the roadside and they found my UK licence within 2 minutes and applied points to that.
Had the option of either going to court or immediately paying 100 at the roadside by phone. I chose the latter.
In which country? Never heard of on the spot UK fines.Car was rented on my UAE licence. UK licence has been dormant for 10+ years.
I presented my UAE licence at the roadside and they found my UK licence within 2 minutes and applied points to that.
Had the option of either going to court or immediately paying 100 at the roadside by phone. I chose the latter.
randlemarcus said:
Jaybee1981 said:
I was pulled over in a rental for speeding on a motorway.
Car was rented on my UAE licence. UK licence has been dormant for 10+ years.
I presented my UAE licence at the roadside and they found my UK licence within 2 minutes and applied points to that.
Had the option of either going to court or immediately paying 100 at the roadside by phone. I chose the latter.
In which country? Never heard of on the spot UK fines.Car was rented on my UAE licence. UK licence has been dormant for 10+ years.
I presented my UAE licence at the roadside and they found my UK licence within 2 minutes and applied points to that.
Had the option of either going to court or immediately paying 100 at the roadside by phone. I chose the latter.
Otherwise no-one from overseas will ever reply to letters from the fixed penalty office.
This is the method all foreign lorry drivers are dealt with for tacho offences. Cash, or card payments using a 24hour phone line.
The Mad Monk said:
Don't think so.
At least not in the UK
Yep in the UK. It's a Graduated fixed penalty ticket (GFPN). Either pay at the roadside or you'll be arrested and put before the next court. At least not in the UK
Works well for those who say they don't live in the UK like the OP.
OP...they'll be able to see your UK licence anyway. Plus isn't there a limit on how long you can drive on your US licence for?
- quick Google*
the tribester said:
If you live overseas and present a foreign licence at the roadside, then the normal course of action is on the spot fine and points to the 'ghost' UK driver record.
Otherwise no-one from overseas will ever reply to letters from the fixed penalty office.
This is the method all foreign lorry drivers are dealt with for tacho offences. Cash, or card payments using a 24hour phone line.
Cool, thanks. Every day is a school day Otherwise no-one from overseas will ever reply to letters from the fixed penalty office.
This is the method all foreign lorry drivers are dealt with for tacho offences. Cash, or card payments using a 24hour phone line.
Wooda80 said:
I think that you are clutching at straws.
There is no automatic right to a SAC, so you can't really complain that you have lost your "entitlement" because they were lazy or incompetent in forwarding it to you.
Yes you can, are you just making this up, or can you substantiate your assertion?There is no automatic right to a SAC, so you can't really complain that you have lost your "entitlement" because they were lazy or incompetent in forwarding it to you.
Edited by Wooda80 on Tuesday 27th November 07:58
Yes, there is no right to an SAC, but if the OP can show the delay is completely out of his control and especially when it seems the SCP has been sitting on it for 7 weeks for no apparent reason, there is a very good chance they will reconsider, this has been a succesful route on numerous occasions.
The reason they put a time limit on an SAC is so the system can't be abused to the point of engineering a time out on any potential summons that a court may issue in the future for the original offence.
Edited by martinbiz on Tuesday 27th November 22:27
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