Caught speeding 3 weeks ago- not heard anything. Advice please!

bmw135i · 6 Apr 2009 at 11:22

Hi there

Recently got a new car. Was having a very bad week 3 weeks ago. During a 'mad moment' on a stretch of road, got pulled over by a police motorbike. I had overtaken a boy racer and he was egging me on. Both of us got pulled. He was booked for no tax/insurance as well as speeding and his car was towed. I have a clean licence but had overtaken him on a double white line- 3 points apparently and had at one point supposedly done 80 when the limit is 40 (instant ban I have been told).

Police man asked for my licence which I produced. I didn't say very much, didn't really admit to anything as he didn't ask questions. Told me I would be very lucky to keep my licence. Took down all my details. He was alone until a police car turned up but by this point he had already let me go. This was 3 weeks ago and I have still heard nothing by post. I am under the impression that you must be notified within 2 weeks of the offence. Is this correct and ahould I be worried? Thank you.

Sparky · 6 Apr 2009 at 11:23

2 weeks plus 3 days for postage for a NIP

bmw135i · 6 Apr 2009 at 11:26

Thanks. Is that 14 calendar days or working days?

Sparky · 6 Apr 2009 at 11:27

Calendar days iirc.

bmw135i · 6 Apr 2009 at 11:29

So I'm guessing if it arrives now it will be void as it's 21 days since it happened. What do you then do if it arrives?

Sparky · 6 Apr 2009 at 11:30

The one instance that something similar happened to me, i just ignored it.

[TW]Fox · 6 Apr 2009 at 11:30

Erm no, you were spoken to be a police offer therefore would have been given a verbal NIP. They now have 6 months to bring proceedings against you.

monkey_boy · 6 Apr 2009 at 11:30

The copper will have given a verbal NIP and once that's been given, they have six months to prosecute.

EDIT- Miserable Fox beating me to it...

bmw135i · 6 Apr 2009 at 11:33

Really- so I could be waiting up to six months for this to arrive by post? Surely you should be given something in writing before then? Thanks for your responses.

Type_R · 6 Apr 2009 at 11:35

bmw135i said:
Really- so I could be waiting up to six months for this to arrive by post? Surely you should be given something in writing before then? Thanks for your responses.

Sorry to tell you this, but a similar thing happened to me and I didn't receive the paperwork until well into my 5th month

bmw135i · 6 Apr 2009 at 11:35

Oh god

[TW]Fox · 6 Apr 2009 at 11:37

If the copper said you'd probably lose your license it doesnt sound like you are being charged with a white line offence as thats 3 points. Sounds like they are going for Dangerous Driving/Racing on the Public Highway which won't have a nice happy paper fixed penalty offering. It'll be a court job.

Cuchulain · 6 Apr 2009 at 11:39

bmw135i said:
Oh god

You might be lucky and just get the 3 points for the overtaking manoeuvre, I guess it depends on how he clocked you doing 80?

bmw135i · 6 Apr 2009 at 11:39

I have been told by a police officer friend that it's because of the 2 offences that it will be court. Other police officers have said you have to hear within 3 weeks. I have also seen on the internet that for an NIP you have to hear within 2 weeks. Very confused!

bmw135i · 6 Apr 2009 at 11:40

He said 80 in a 40 but not sure if that was on radar or why he said '80'?

Cuchulain · 6 Apr 2009 at 11:42

As already stated, if you got a verbal NIP then they have 6 months to sort out the summons. I'd be a bit suspicious of how you were clocked, I'm not sure on the rules of him using just his speedo.

Fr0dders · 6 Apr 2009 at 11:43

you have to receive a NIP within 2 weeks

however, when pulled by a police officer you receive your NIP in person, So you have already received it hence no limit

Next thing that will happen, is that you will either receive an offer of a fixed penalty ticket and 3 points, or you will be summonsed to court. When you are summonsed it could be for anything - careless driving / crossing white lines / speeding

You'll just have to wait.

oh and for the record, i got pulled for doing 107 on the motorway, and it was 6 months before i heard anything.

Django x2 · 6 Apr 2009 at 11:43

equally so, I was once in a similar position when I was a driving retard and never received any paperwork or proceedings.

I think it got left at the bottom of a very big pile

AtreuS · 6 Apr 2009 at 11:43

Maybe you got real lucky and he couldnt be bothered to file the paperwork as he was coming to the end of his shift

Fr0dders · 6 Apr 2009 at 11:45

Cuchulain said:
As already stated, if you got a verbal NIP then they have 6 months to sort out the summons. I'd be a bit suspicious of how you were clocked, I'm not sure on the rules of him using just his speedo.

its not entirely verbal

you receive a little tiny slip of paper with "notice of intended prosecution" on it. Usually has date and time of the offence, and the officers name on it. Its a stupidly tiny thing, looks something drawn up on the back of a fag packet, but legally its enough notification together with the conversation with the copper.

[TW]Fox;13829567 said:
If the copper said you'd probably lose your license it doesnt sound like you are being charged with a white line offence as thats 3 points. Sounds like they are going for Dangerous Driving/Racing on the Public Highway which won't have a nice happy paper fixed penalty offering. It'll be a court job.

this. i'm inclined to believe you could be summonsed for dangerous or carless driving. they usually wouldnt charge you for two offence likes that. Doing 80 in a 40 and whilst crossing solid white lines is easily enough for the CPS to consider charging you for careless driving.

but you'll have to wait for your summonse to find out what you've been charged with (with is 6 months)