Speeding Advice- On Missing NIP
Discussion
So, before I start, I am not condoning speeding, and I accept that I have been careless and have been caught twice this year.
I was caught in August 2026 in my own vehicle. I was travelling at over 53 mph down a hill into a new 40 mph limit, which used to be a 60 mph limit. I was bang to rights.
Around 2.5 years ago, I was also caught doing 81 mph on a motorway and received 3 points, as I was only two years on from my last speed awareness course.
I am therefore currently on 6 points, which is the limit permitted by my employer.
I have slowed down considerably, but I had a shock in October when I discovered that, while my car was in the garage, I had been caught speeding in the loan car. The offence was on 11/09/26. The NIP was initially sent to the dealer, who responded on 18/09/26, and a further NIP was apparently issued to me on 23/09/26.
The issue is that I never received it. Royal Mail may have lost it, or there may have been an error on the Speed Enforcement side.
On 16/10/26, I received a letter stating that I had failed to identify the driver and giving me seven days to respond. By the time I received it, five of those days had already passed. I panicked, logged on and contacted the police through their online contact form.
When I had not heard anything by the following day, I panicked again and confirmed that I was the driver.
The alleged speed was 64 mph in a 40 mph limit, so I appreciate this is not a minor speeding offence. However, they have offered me a Fixed Penalty Notice, which expires on 18 November.
Some days later, they acknowledged my report regarding the missing NIP but have refused to reset the 28-day period or provide me with a copy of the original NIP. My solicitor needs this to establish whether it was correctly served.
So far, technical checks have not identified any other potential technical defence.
As there is a real possibility that further points could affect my ability to drive for work and undertake my voluntary role, I am understandably keen to avoid any additional points if possible. However, I cannot imagine a JP giving me a more favourable outcome than the 3 points and £100 FPN for doing 24 mph over the limit.
I have, however, been advised that, given we are approaching the Christmas period and they only have six months to commence proceedings, there is a possibility that, if I allow the FPN to expire, proceedings may not be commenced in time.
I appreciate that this would be a gamble, and I am not looking to avoid responsibility for my actions. I am simply trying to understand what options are realistically open to me before deciding whether to accept the FPN.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
I was caught in August 2026 in my own vehicle. I was travelling at over 53 mph down a hill into a new 40 mph limit, which used to be a 60 mph limit. I was bang to rights.
Around 2.5 years ago, I was also caught doing 81 mph on a motorway and received 3 points, as I was only two years on from my last speed awareness course.
I am therefore currently on 6 points, which is the limit permitted by my employer.
I have slowed down considerably, but I had a shock in October when I discovered that, while my car was in the garage, I had been caught speeding in the loan car. The offence was on 11/09/26. The NIP was initially sent to the dealer, who responded on 18/09/26, and a further NIP was apparently issued to me on 23/09/26.
The issue is that I never received it. Royal Mail may have lost it, or there may have been an error on the Speed Enforcement side.
On 16/10/26, I received a letter stating that I had failed to identify the driver and giving me seven days to respond. By the time I received it, five of those days had already passed. I panicked, logged on and contacted the police through their online contact form.
When I had not heard anything by the following day, I panicked again and confirmed that I was the driver.
The alleged speed was 64 mph in a 40 mph limit, so I appreciate this is not a minor speeding offence. However, they have offered me a Fixed Penalty Notice, which expires on 18 November.
Some days later, they acknowledged my report regarding the missing NIP but have refused to reset the 28-day period or provide me with a copy of the original NIP. My solicitor needs this to establish whether it was correctly served.
So far, technical checks have not identified any other potential technical defence.
As there is a real possibility that further points could affect my ability to drive for work and undertake my voluntary role, I am understandably keen to avoid any additional points if possible. However, I cannot imagine a JP giving me a more favourable outcome than the 3 points and £100 FPN for doing 24 mph over the limit.
I have, however, been advised that, given we are approaching the Christmas period and they only have six months to commence proceedings, there is a possibility that, if I allow the FPN to expire, proceedings may not be commenced in time.
I appreciate that this would be a gamble, and I am not looking to avoid responsibility for my actions. I am simply trying to understand what options are realistically open to me before deciding whether to accept the FPN.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Looks like you may have to throw yourself on the mercy of the court with "possibility of unemployment" with dependents etc etc.
Will your employer be ok with a ban and fine or is that a no no too, anyway which loose i will suggest, (before anyone else does) that it would be an apt time to engage in some voluntary driver retraining sessions or even doing an advanced driving course, to indicate you are aware of your tendency to break accepted laws and regulations.
Will your employer be ok with a ban and fine or is that a no no too, anyway which loose i will suggest, (before anyone else does) that it would be an apt time to engage in some voluntary driver retraining sessions or even doing an advanced driving course, to indicate you are aware of your tendency to break accepted laws and regulations.
So OP, this is your 4th tube caught speeding?
One SAC, 2x3 points, now this.
Feels strange not to have driven accordingly when you lose your job with greater than 6 points.
My point is that might be hard to make a plea in court and you can only do what your lawyer advises. The problem with wait and hope is what the consequences might be. If it has a chance of 6 points that's not a happy place. Banned and no job.
As has been said, does your employer have any leeway? That would be the best outcome.
And in true PH style you might consider paying more attention to speed limits!!
One SAC, 2x3 points, now this.
Feels strange not to have driven accordingly when you lose your job with greater than 6 points.
My point is that might be hard to make a plea in court and you can only do what your lawyer advises. The problem with wait and hope is what the consequences might be. If it has a chance of 6 points that's not a happy place. Banned and no job.
As has been said, does your employer have any leeway? That would be the best outcome.
And in true PH style you might consider paying more attention to speed limits!!
When do points being added count from - date of offence or date of conviction?
If the former, I don't think you could 'time out' your first 3-points from 2.5 years ago and have 3-points spare to play with.
Personal experience also makes me think that 'they' are vindictive enough to schedule hearings just to play you along then screw you over.
What is your solicitor (AGTLaw?) recommending re: a written letter with your plea? As noted, exceptional hardship to others is (AIUI) the only real mitigation that gets taken into account.
If you got a short ban (and could conveniently take the time off work with holiday or *cough* a terrible illness), would work ignore that because it is not points?
If the former, I don't think you could 'time out' your first 3-points from 2.5 years ago and have 3-points spare to play with.
Personal experience also makes me think that 'they' are vindictive enough to schedule hearings just to play you along then screw you over.
What is your solicitor (AGTLaw?) recommending re: a written letter with your plea? As noted, exceptional hardship to others is (AIUI) the only real mitigation that gets taken into account.
If you got a short ban (and could conveniently take the time off work with holiday or *cough* a terrible illness), would work ignore that because it is not points?
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