Is it worth replying to NIPs?

[steve z]

I've heard of a lot of instances, including my own, where drivers have deliberately ignored NIPs when caught either by a Gatso or a Mobile Van and then heard nothing.

In my instance I was told to ignore it as I already had 9 points on my licence and would therefore automatically get a summons. The summons never arrived and after 6 months from the alleged offence they then can't proceed, so I got off.

Do you think that if you ignore the NIP the admin headache it causes at the SCP is so onorous they can't be bothered following it up?

Also, if you do choose to ignore the NIP but do get a summons and are found guilty are the courts likely to sting you for a lot more than the obligatory £60 and 3 points?

[toni896]

no if you dont reply to a NIP/S172 request they will simply report you for not replying that will be 3 points fine 60+(means tested I think)
and you have MS90 cost more than SP30/50 to insure

[SS2.]

steve z said:

Also, if you do choose to ignore the NIP but do get a summons and are found guilty are the courts likely to sting you for a lot more than the obligatory £60 and 3 points?

Firstly, I'd say you were lucky. A lot of people try this and get prosecuted for Failing to Furnish. On conviction, the offence code is MS90 and comes with 3 points and up to £1000 fine (although typically £250-£300).

Also, insurance companies are none too keen on MS90 endorsements as they can mask some serious motoring misdemeanors..

With regard to the summons - they have 6 months from the date of the offence to lay papers with the court. In the case of a S172 offence, this would be 6 months from the date the NIP was due back (28 days after NIP date). So long as papers have been laid, the case can be brought to court any time within the next couple of years...

When exactly did you receive the NIP ?

[steve z]

SS2. said:

When exactly did you receive the NIP ?

This was nearly 2 years ago.

[SS2.]

steve z said:

SS2. said: When exactly did you receive the NIP ? This was nearly 2 years ago.

I think that's well past 'timeout'

[Muncher]

I have heard of many people doing that, it is simply far too onerous for the SCP to chase and in the end they don't get any revenue from it, the courts do.

[eccles]

from memory, i got an initial NIP, i didn't reply as i was working away, when i got back there was another letter saying if you didn't do anything in the 2 weeks (i think), then i'd be sent to court, and the fine would be higher.
i eventually sent it back about 2 weeks past the last deadline, and got the initial 3 points and fine.