Table of Driving Offences

Driving offences seem like a pain when you break one, but when you are driving to make your way through an environment populated by fast, heavy, motorised vehicles, the last thing you want is a situation in which no rules apply, and people can do whatever they want. Particularly when you are piloting a large vehicle of your own.

Driving offences keep us safe, and it is important that you understand what constitutes a driving offence, as well as the kind of punishment you can expect if you do break one.

Accidents

Failing to stop after an accident

Penalty Points:	5-10
Likely Penalty:	Fine up to £5,000
Disqualification:	Possible
Fixed Penalty Option:	No

Failing to report an accident

Penalty Points:	5-10
Likely Penalty:	Fine up to £5,000
Disqualification:	Possible
Fixed Penalty Option:	No

Alcohol

Alcohol offences go beyond catching people who are swerving across the road - refusing to give a breath, blood, or urine sample can result in equally serious consequences, even if you haven't touched a drop. Driving under the influence offences have now been expanded to include drug driving offences too.

Refusing roadside breath test

Penalty Points:	4
Likely Penalty:	Fine up to £1,000
Disqualification:	Possible
Fixed Penalty Option:	No

In charge with excess alcohol

Penalty Points:	10
Likely Penalty:	Fine up to £2,500
Disqualification:	Likely
Fixed Penalty Option:	No

After being in charge refusing to supply specimens for analysis

Penalty Points:	10
Likely Penalty:	Fine up to £2,500
Disqualification:	Likely
Fixed Penalty Option:	No

Driving with excess alcohol

Penalty Points:	(4)
Likely Penalty:	Fine up to £5,000
Disqualification:	Compulsory
Fixed Penalty Option:	No

Driving under the influence of drugs

Penalty Points:	(4)
Likely Penalty:	Fine up to £5,000
Disqualification:	Compulsory
Fixed Penalty Option:	No

After driving refusing to supply specimens for analysis

Penalty Points:	(4)
Likely Penalty:	Fine up to £5,000
Disqualification:	Compulsory
Fixed Penalty Option:	No

For more information on drink driving punishments, visit our drink driving law section.

Documents

No Insurance

Penalty Points:	6-8
Likely Penalty:	Fine up to £5,000
Disqualification:	Possible
Fixed Penalty Option:	No

Visit Car Insurance Law for more information.

No Tax

Penalty Points:	0
Likely Penalty:	Fine up to £1,000
Disqualification:	Not an option
Fixed Penalty Option:	Yes

No MOT

Penalty Points:	0
Likely Penalty:	Fine up to £1,000
Disqualification:	Not an option
Fixed Penalty Option:	Yes

Visit our Road Tax and MOT section for more information.

No Driving Licence

Penalty Points:	3-6
Likely Penalty:	Fine up to £1,000
Disqualification:	Possible
Fixed Penalty Option:	No

 

For more advice on these offences, you should contact a solicitor. If you need advice quickly an cheaply, we recommend Instant Law Line. You'll have access to unlimited telephone advice from expert lawyers, and it comes at only £7.99 a month.

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