Suppose you are a driver in the UK. In that case, you may face various motoring offences that can seriously affect your licence, finances, and reputation. Suppose you are under investigation for speeding, drunk driving, careless driving or any other road traffic offence. In that case, you need expert legal advice and representation to protect your rights and interests. That’s where motoring law solicitors come in.

1. Motoring Law Solicitors
2. Motoring offences are very common in the UK. 
3. Types of Motoring Offences and Their Consequences

Motoring Law Solicitors

Motoring law solicitors are specialist lawyers who deal exclusively with cases involving motoring offences. They have extensive knowledge and experience of the complex and ever-changing laws and procedures that govern road traffic offences. They can help you to:

• Defend a road traffic offence that you deny.
• Avoid a six-month ‘totting up’ ban for accumulating 12 points in any three years.
• Avoid a discretionary driving ban for a one-off offence, perhaps where high speeds were involved.
• Avoid a 6-point revocation if you are a new driver.
• Reduce the severity of the penalties or sentences imposed by the court
• Appeal against a conviction or sentence if you are unhappy with the outcome.

Hiring a motoring law solicitor can make a huge difference to the outcome of your case. They can advise you on the best course of action, gather evidence and witnesses, negotiate with the prosecution, prepare your defence and represent you in court. They can also help you to argue exceptional hardship or special reasons if you face disqualification due to totting up or other offences.

Motoring offences are very common in the UK. 

According to the Ministry of Justice, the courts dealt with 1.5 million motoring offences in England and Wales in 2019. Of these, 1.2 million resulted in fines, 69,000 resulted in disqualification, and 5,000 resulted in imprisonment. Motoring offences can have a serious impact on your life and livelihood. They can affect your insurance premiums, employment prospects, travel plans and reputation.

It is vital to seek professional help from a motoring law solicitor if facing a motoring offence as soon as possible. They can provide expert guidance, support and representation throughout the process and help you achieve the best possible outcome.

Types of Motoring Offences and Their Consequences

There are many different types of motoring offences that you can be charged within the UK. This article is a guide and may need to be updated. Some of the most common ones are:

• Speeding: This is when you drive faster than the legal speed limit for the road or area. Speeding is detected by various methods, such as speed cameras, police officers or average speed checks. The speed limits vary depending on the type of road and vehicle. Still, they are generally 30mph in built-up areas, 60mph on single-carriageways and 70mph on dual-carriageways and motorways. The penalties for speeding depend on how much you exceed the limit. Still, they can range from a fixed penalty notice of £100 and 3 points to a court summons with a fine of up to £1,000 (£2,500 on motorways) and 6 points or disqualification.
• Drink Driving: This is when you drive or attempt to drive while under the influence of alcohol. Drink driving is measured by the amount of alcohol in your breath, blood or urine. The legal limits are 35 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath, 80 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood or 107 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of urine. The penalties for drunk driving depend on the level of alcohol in your system. Still, they can include a minimum 12-month disqualification, an unlimited fine, up to 6 months imprisonment and an endorsement on your licence for 11 years.
• Careless Driving: This is when you drive without due care and attention or reasonable consideration for other road users. Careless driving can include various behaviours, such as tailgating, overtaking dangerously, driving too slowly or erratically, ignoring traffic signs or signals or using a mobile phone while driving. The penalties for careless driving include a fixed penalty notice of £100 and 3 points or a court summons with a fine of up to £5,000 and 3 to 9 points or disqualification.
• Dangerous Driving: This is when you drive in a way that falls far below the standard expected of a competent and careful driver, and that would be obvious to a competent and careful driver that it would be dangerous. Dangerous driving can include various behaviours, such as racing, driving aggressively, overtaking on the wrong side of the road, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol or causing serious injury or death by driving. The penalties for dangerous driving include a minimum 12-month disqualification, an unlimited fine, up to 2 years imprisonment and an endorsement on your four-year licence.
• Failing to Stop or Report an Accident: This is when you are involved in an accident that causes damage to another vehicle, property or person, and you fail to stop at the scene or report it to the police within 24 hours. You have a legal duty to stop and exchange details with the other parties involved or leave your details at the scene if no one is present. You also have a legal duty to report the accident to the police as soon as possible or within 24 hours. The penalties for failing to stop or report an accident can include a fixed penalty notice of £300 and 6 points or a court summons with a fine of up to £5,000 and 5 to 10 points or disqualification.
• No Insurance: This is when you drive or allow someone else to drive a vehicle without valid Insurance. You are required by law to have at least third-party Insurance that covers you for any damage or injury you cause to another person, vehicle or property. The penalties for no insurance can include a fixed penalty notice of £300 and 6 points or a court summons with a fine of up to £5,000 and 6 to 8 points or disqualification.
• Using a Mobile Phone: When you use a handheld mobile phone or device while driving or stopping with the engine on. Using a mobile phone while driving can include making or receiving calls, texting, browsing the internet, using social media, playing games or using any other phone function. The penalties for using a mobile phone while driving include a fixed penalty notice of £200 and 6 points; a court summons with a fine of up to £1,000 (£2,500 for bus or lorry drivers) and 6 points or disqualification.
• Totting Up: This is when you accumulate 12 or more penalty points on your licence within any three years. If you reach this threshold, you will face a mandatory 6-month disqualification from driving unless you can persuade the court that this would cause you or others exceptional hardship. Exceptional hardship can include various factors, such as loss of employment, income, health, family circumstances or transport needs.

These are just some of the most common motoring offences that you can be charged within the UK. Many others can also result in penalties, such as failing to identify the driver, driving without a licence, driving with defective tyres or lights, contravening traffic signs or signals, etc. Suppose you are still determining the nature or consequences of any motoring offence. In that case, you should consult a motoring law solicitor for expert advice.