Can You Appeal a Speeding Fine in the UK? Here's What Actually Works
Can You Appeal a Speeding Fine in the UK?
Yes — and more successfully than most people realise. The Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988 (RTOA 1988) imposes strict procedural requirements on the police that, if not met, make a prosecution legally impossible. Here's what to check before you pay.
The 14-Day NIP Rule — The Most Powerful Ground
Under RTOA 1988 s.1, a Notice of Intended Prosecution must be served on the registered keeper within 14 days of the alleged offence. This is a hard statutory requirement — not a target.
Check the date of the alleged offence, then check the postmark on the NIP envelope (keep it). If the NIP was served on day 15 or later, the prosecution cannot proceed. Courts have been strict on this — there is no discretion.
The only exception is if the delay was caused by the registered keeper's own failure to notify the DVLA of a change of address. If you've kept your DVLA records up to date, this exception doesn't apply.
Section 172 — Identifying the Driver
When you receive a NIP, you'll typically also receive a s.172 notice requiring you to identify who was driving. This is a legal obligation — failure to respond is a separate offence carrying 6 penalty points.
If you were driving: confirm it and engage with the FPN process.
If someone else was driving: name them. You are not protecting yourself by refusing — you are committing a more serious offence.
If the vehicle was stolen: provide the police crime reference number immediately.
Camera Calibration and Type Approval
Speed cameras must be type-approved and calibrated. You can request disclosure of:
- The device type approval certificate
- The calibration records for the specific device
- The maintenance log for the camera
For Gatso cameras, the two white lines on the road should indicate a precise distance. The vehicle's apparent travel in the photograph should match that distance. A discrepancy indicates a potential fault.
If the calibration certificate had expired at the time of the alleged offence, challenge it. Request disclosure through the police's standard disclosure process.
Temporary Speed Limits — Signage Requirements
For temporary speed limits (roadworks, etc.), signs must comply with the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016 (TSRGD 2016). They must be illuminated at night. If the signs were missing, damaged, or non-compliant, the legal basis for the speed limit may not have been properly established.
Request photographs of the signage from the police disclosure team.
Fixed Penalty vs Court
Most speeding FPNs offer 3 points and £100, or a speed awareness course if eligible. If the alleged speed is excessive — typically more than 10% + 9mph over the limit — you may be summoned to court instead.
At court, the prosecution must prove the offence beyond reasonable doubt. This is a higher standard than the civil PCN process, and the grounds above (NIP timing, calibration, s.172 compliance) become even more important.
What to Do Now
1. Check the NIP date and postmark immediately
2. Keep all correspondence
3. Request disclosure of camera evidence and calibration records
4. Do not ignore the s.172 notice
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