Should I Pay My Speeding Fine in Scotland or Appeal?

Have you been stung by a speeding ticket in Scotland? You’re not alone. Each month, over 32,000 people visit this site for advice on tickets and fines.

It might feel scary and confusing, but don’t worry. In this article, we’ll guide you through:

•  The process of appealing a speeding fine in Scotland
•  Understanding if there’s leeway on speed limits on Scottish roads
•  What happens after you receive a speeding ticket in Scotland
•  How to potentially beat your speeding fine
•  The consequences of not paying your speeding fine

We know how you feel; some of us have been there too. With our experience, we’ll help you understand how you can handle your speeding ticket in Scotland.

What happens if you get a speeding ticket in Scotland?

If you get caught speeding in Scotland, you’ll be given at least three penalty points on your licence and you’ll be fined. The exact process isn’t as simple as this. 

Most people get caught speeding on camera. In this case, a Notice of Intended Prosecution gets sent to the registered vehicle owner’s address. This is a notification that someone driving the vehicle you own has been caught speeding. 

It includes a Section 172 Notice which must be completed and returned within 28 days, stating who was driving at the time of the speeding offence. Failing to complete Section 172 is a serious offence and you will be summoned to court if you don’t return this information. 

However, if you’re pulled over by a police officer, they can give you a verbal Notice of Intended Prosecution instead. This is what happened to this forum user on the way home from Fort William:

Source: https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2693239/speeding-ticket 

What happens next?

Once the Section 172 has been filled in and returned, the police may then send a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) to the offending driver at their home address, which is usually the vehicle owner themself. 

A Fixed Penalty Notice is an administration alternative to being prosecuted in court. If you accept the punishments included in the FPN, you won’t have to go to court. This means accepting points on your licence and a fine of at least £100. 

Find out how to pay in Scotland here. 

However, you might not receive an FPN, including if you already have 9 penalty points. In these occasions, you will be summoned to court to be prosecuted instead. 

Can you appeal a Scottish speeding fine?

The only way to appeal a Scottish speeding fine is in Court. 

You would need to allow the case to escalate to court and make a defence to the judge, stating why you don’t agree with the alleged speeding offence and providing evidence. 

This can be very difficult to do and usually results in an even harsher penalty, including a bigger fine. 

The police only need to show you were speeding at all and for any duration of time. Saying you only briefly went over the speed limit won’t result in a successful appeal. 

Even though police officers can be somewhat lenient on the roadside, they don’t have to show any lenience in court to prove your guilt. 

So, should you pay your Scotland speeding ticket?

Most probably, yes. 

Unless you have a really good excuse, such as you sped to avoid a collision or your vehicle had been stolen, then there is little chance of getting out of the speeding fine. Moreover, it’s much better to take action sooner, or you could be summoned to court to pay a greater fine. 

Join thousands of others who got legal help for a £5 trial

Getting the support of a Solicitor can take a huge weight off your mind.

Get started

Reviews shown are for JustAnswer.

What is the 14-day speeding loophole?

Across the UK, people alleged to have been speeding must receive a Notice of Intended Prosecution within 14 days unless a verbal NIP was given at the roadside. 

If the NIP doesn’t arrive within 14 days – not including the day of the alleged speeding offence – the police cannot prosecute the driver, even if they were guilty of speeding. 

Most police forces will issue the NIP in sufficient time, but a postal strike and bank holidays could help some lucky people avoid prosecution or any other repercussions at all. 

What happens if you don’t pay a speeding ticket in Scotland?

Failing to pay a speeding fine or ignoring the process will result in a summons to District Court. 

The court will give you a much harsher punishment for not paying, and you might even be given the maximum possible punishment available. 

Is a speeding fine a criminal conviction in Scotland?

Yes, speeding is classified as a criminal conviction in Scotland, which will come as a surprise to many!

Can you avoid punishment with a speed awareness course?

Unfortunately not. Speed awareness courses that are offered across the rest of the UK aren’t available in Scotland. 

So first-time speeders won’t be able to avoid points on their licence by taking this course. 

If it makes you feel any better, you would have had to p[ay for this course, so there would have been little financial gain for most drivers. 

Is there a speeding leeway on roads in Scotland?

One recent study found that police officers do apply some type of leeway when assessing drivers for speeding offences. 

But interestingly, the police forces that were contacted in Scotland all refused to give out any information on this.

It’s best to always stick to road limits for everyone’s safety and to guarantee you don’t get hit with a speeding fine. 

Need help with a parking ticket as well?

Thankfully, dealing with private parking tickets is a lot easier than dealing with Scotland speeding tickets. I’ve also written a blog explaining the options and best excuses for parking tickets. Read this now if you have an outstanding ticket.