The updated penalty table of The Highway Code March 2017.
Offence Maximum penalty Penalty points
*Causing death by dangerous driving 14 years’ imprisonment / Unlimited fine / Obligatory disqualification (minimum 2 years) 3 to 11 (if exceptionally not disqualified)
*Dangerous driving 2 years’ imprisonment / Unlimited fine / Obligatory disqualification 3 to 11 (if exceptionally not disqualified)
*Causing death by careless driving 14 years’ imprisonment / Unlimited fine / Obligatory disqualification (minimum 2 years) 3 to 11 (if exceptionally not disqualified)
under the influence of drink or drugs
Careless and inconsiderate driving Unlimited fine / Discretionary disqualification 3 to 9
Driving while unfit through drink or 6 months’ imprisonment / Unlimited fine / Obligatory disqualification 3 to 11 (if exceptionally not disqualified)
drugs or with excess alcohol: or failing to
provide a specimen for analysis
Failing to stop after an accident or 6 months’ imprisonment / Unlimited fine / Discretionary disqualification 5 to 10
failing to report an accident
Driving while disqualified 6 months’ imprisonment (12 months in Scotland) / Unlimited fine 6
/ Discretionary disqualification
Driving after refusal or revocation 6 months’ imprisonment / Unlimited fine / Discretionary disqualification 3 to 6
of licence on medical grounds
Driving without insurance Unlimited fine / Discretionary disqualification 6 to 8
Using a vehicle in a dangerous LGV or PCV unlimited, other vehicles £2,500/ Obligatory disqualification 3 in each case
condition if offence committed within 3 years of a previous conviction
for a similar offence – 6 months min. Otherwise discretionary
Failure to have proper control of £1,000 fine (£2,500 for PCV or goods vehicle) / Discretionary disqualification 3
vehicle or full view of the road and
traffic ahead
Using a hand-held mobile £1,000 fine (£2,500 for PCV or goods vehicle) / Discretionary disqualification 6
phone when driving
Driving otherwise than in £1,000 fine / Discretionary disqualification 3 to 6
accordance with a licence
Speeding £1,000 fine (£2,500 for motorway offences) / Discretionary disqualification 3 to 6, or 3 (fixed penalty)
Traffic light offences £1,000 fine / Discretionary disqualification 3
No MOT certificate £1,000 fine
Seat belt offences £500 fine
Dangerous cycling £2,500 fine
Careless cycling £1,000 fine
Cycling on pavement £500 fine
Failing to identify driver of vehicle £1,000 fine / Discretionary disqualification
Where a court disqualifies a person on conviction for one of these offences, it must order an extended retest. The courts also have discretion to order a retest for any other offence which carries penalty points, an extended retest where disqualification is obligatory, and an ordinary test where disqualification is not obligatory.
