Question about UK speeding fine for foreign resident

[FrenchFlyer]

Hi,

Today on the A3 just outside of Guildford I passed a speed camera van at an indicated speed of circa 85mph (70mph Dual Carriageway).

I was in a UK-plated rental car.

I am a French citizen, French resident and have a French driving licence.

I understand (if detected) that I will receive a NIP from Surrey Police.

Obviously, I have no issues holding my hands up to the offence and will reply to the NIP if and when received.

My question is: what will the likely consequences be?

Unless procedures have changed since I lived in the UK: fixed penalties cannot be issued to people without a UK address, so the only remedy would either be an awareness course (online) or referral to Magistrates' court?

Would be interested to hear from anyone with experience of such a set of circumstances.

Happy new year to all.

Edited by FrenchFlyer on Sunday 29th December 17:09

[swisstoni]

Would have been nice if you had considered all this before doing 85 on an urban dual carriageway.

[sherman]

Im still wating on my speeding fine in Italy from 7 years ago to come through.

The hire car company gave the police my details.
I got a nice letter asking if it was me.
I replied with YES and awaited the fine amount.
I have never recived a bill for the fine.

I also havent been back to Italy since to see if I get pulled at the border. Not because of that we have just holidayed elsewhere through choice.
Going to assume its not worth them notifying Interpol about.

[DorsetSparky]

swisstoni said:

Would have been nice if you had considered all this before doing 85 on an urban dual carriageway.

Fingers crossed for you - you're still on track for Most Helpful Post of the Year gong.

[Monkeylegend]

swisstoni said:

Would have been nice if you had considered all this before doing 85 on an urban dual carriageway.

Which of course you have never done

[Cristio Nasser]

Hire car company will be sent the NIP, they will respond to the police with your details as the driver, and it’s up to the police to take it further with you directly.

They probably won’t bother, and all you’ll see will be an admin charge from the hire company.

[fourthpedal]

Cristio Nasser said:

Hire car company will be sent the NIP, they will respond to the police with your details as the driver, and it’s up to the police to take it further with you directly.

They probably won’t bother, and all you’ll see will be an admin charge from the hire company.

Oh, is this usual practice? No points on a shadow licence either?

I'd've cared a bit less about the average speed cams in the highlands last summer had I know that to have been the case.

Is it any different if it's a patrol car by the side of the road?

Edited by fourthpedal on Sunday 29th December 18:24

[Squadrone Rosso]

Too high for a speed awareness course so probably a fixed penalty notice, £100 fine but I’m unsure ref the points aspect.

[Sporky]

Monkeylegend said:

swisstoni said:

Would have been nice if you had considered all this before doing 85 on an urban dual carriageway.

Which of course you have never done

Ah - the "it's OK for me to murder someone because of Charles Manson" argument.

[BertBert]

Squadrone Rosso said:

Too high for a speed awareness course so probably a fixed penalty notice, £100 fine but I’m unsure ref the points aspect.

No it's not. SAC for up to 10%+9 being 86 in a 70

[Cristio Nasser]

fourthpedal said:

Oh, is this usual practice? No points on a shadow licence either?

I'd've cared a bit less about the average speed cams in the highlands last summer had I know that to have been the case.

Is it any different if it's a patrol car by the side of the road?

Edited by fourthpedal on Sunday 29th December 18:24

Pretty much. There is no mechanism for UK police to put points on a foreign license, but you might still have to pay the fine if they actually follow it up. Same if you were pulled over.

Now, if you were doing piss take speeds, they would likely follow it up with an actual magistrate’s summons, just as with any other serious speeding offense. If you don’t show up, that will become a problem for you when re-entering the country. You can of course hire a local lawyer to represent you instead.

Either way, they don’t have the authority to take a foreign license off you. Only fine you and ban you from driving in the UK for however long they decide, but not anywhere else.

[SuperNads]

swisstoni said:

Would have been nice if you had considered all this before doing 85 on an urban dual carriageway.

The A3 is far from urban and the bit through Guildford itself is a 50mph limit. The A3 is much like the M40 where most cars travel at 80+ safely every day. Long sweeping curves and straights with excellent visibility.

[swisstoni]

SuperNads said:

swisstoni said:

Would have been nice if you had considered all this before doing 85 on an urban dual carriageway.

The A3 is far from urban and the bit through Guildford itself is a 50mph limit. The A3 is much like the M40 where most cars travel at 80+ safely every day. Long sweeping curves and straights with excellent visibility.

I’m familiar with the A3 thanks. I’m happy with describing the Guildford stretch as urban even if you aren’t.

[fourthpedal]

Cristio Nasser said:

Pretty much. There is no mechanism for UK police to put points on a foreign license, but you might still have to pay the fine if they actually follow it up. Same if you were pulled over.

Now, if you were doing piss take speeds, they would likely follow it up with an actual magistrate’s summons, just as with any other serious speeding offense. If you don’t show up, that will become a problem for you when re-entering the country. You can of course hire a local lawyer to represent you instead.

Either way, they don’t have the authority to take a foreign license off you. Only fine you and ban you from driving in the UK for however long they decide, but not anywhere else.

The thing is: the yorkshire police state that the DVLA can create a record for foreign licence holders: https://www.westyorkshire.police.uk/ask-the-police... . I'm curious how often that happens in practice. Obviously it's only relevant within the UK, but it's still an interesting theoretical issue.

For the record, I don't ever go to ridiculous speeds, but 10% + 2 + a few more isn't uncommon. Like most of the people on here who get fined.

Although the UK cannot take my foreign licence away, they can notify my home country. My home country can cancel the licence for foreign offences, but they translate the offence to local rules. Something like 70 in a 60 would be no more than a fine, we don't have points, and my licence is at no risk. 120 in a 60 would result in my licence being cancelled - but I don't deserve to drive if I do that anyway.

[Cristio Nasser]

fourthpedal said:

The thing is: the yorkshire police state that the DVLA can create a record for foreign licence holders: https://www.westyorkshire.police.uk/ask-the-police... . I'm curious how often that happens in practice. Obviously it's only relevant within the UK, but it's still an interesting theoretical issue.

For the record, I don't ever go to ridiculous speeds, but 10% + 2 + a few more isn't uncommon. Like most of the people on here who get fined.

Although the UK cannot take my foreign licence away, they can notify my home country. My home country can cancel the licence for foreign offences, but they translate the offence to local rules. Something like 70 in a 60 would be no more than a fine, we don't have points, and my licence is at no risk. 120 in a 60 would result in my licence being cancelled - but I don't deserve to drive if I do that anyway.

Seems applicable only if you have a UK address, and/or your country has a specific agreement in place with the UK police. For me, with a state issued US license, no chance.

[C70Rev]

swisstoni said:

Would have been nice if you had considered all this before doing 85 on an urban dual carriageway.

Oh please

You have never exceeded the speed limit?

I suspect the A3 outside Guildford is not classed as urban.

Anyway thanks for your self righteous post

[C70Rev]

Sporky said:

Ah - the "it's OK for me to murder someone because of Charles Manson" argument.

I think it’s more of the stop being a self righteous p£#ck than any reference/argument with an American looney

[Amateurish]

I don't think the police can do anything about it. I had a similar situation where my father (French citizen and resident) got caught speeding in my car. I sent the police his details and he never heard anything about it.

[e-honda]

If ever i am thinking of doing 85 just outside Guildford I will make sure I have a little think about if I am still a UK resident.

Although I am a little unclear on why I am thinking about it, is it more morally unacceptable if I'm no longer a resident or am I meant to be being pragmatic and considering that i might not be offered a fixed penalty and therefore considering it less worth the risk?

[swisstoni]

C70Rev said:

Sporky said:

Ah - the "it's OK for me to murder someone because of Charles Manson" argument.

I think it’s more of the stop being a self righteous p£#ck than any reference/argument with an American looney

Ah. I recognise that (slightly altered) user name and writing style.
What larks.