Penalty Update UK March 17 – epda

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.