A fixed penalty notice – also known as an FPN – provides you with the opportunity to pay a set amount of money (minor fine) to discharge your liability for a conviction for a road traffic offence which you may accept.
Which motoring offences are charged with a fixed penalty notice?
There are certain types of motoring offences that can be dealt with using a fixed penalty notice, including:
- Speeding offences
- Traffic light offences
- Performing a restricted turn
- Entering a ‘no entry’ zone
- Blocking a box junction
When can a fixed penalty notice be given?
There are certain conditions that must exist before a fixed penalty notice can be given:
- The driving offence must be endorsable
- The person receiving the offer of a fixed penalty notice must hold a valid driving licence and be able to surrender it upon request
- The driving licence must not have been endorsed with 12 or more penalty points in total when the points are added
If these conditions cannot be satisfied, you may not be able to receive a fixed penalty notice. Instead you may receive a postal requisition requiring you to attend court or possibly to produce your driving licence at a police station within 7 days. If you can produce your licence within 7 days, it’s possible that the fixed penalty and licence may be endorsed, provided the number of points does not then equal or exceed 12 in number.
The fixed penalty notice must contain certain information including:
- Specifying the offence for which the FPN is being offered
- Offering sufficient information for it to be challenged, if it is not accepted
If the FPN is simply affixed to a vehicle and not given to the driver or the registered keeper of the vehicle, different rules apply.
How much is a fixed penalty notice?
In such cases where an FPN is given, there will be a fixed sum that has to be paid as a way of settling the offence, which is often in the region of £60. Different rates may exist for different offences. Where the offence requires obligatory endorsement, the fixed penalty is normally £60.
Does a fixed penalty record go on record?
A fixed penalty offence for a motoring offence is not a criminal conviction, but the FPN may be recorded on the police national computer (PNC). However, a fixed penalty must be declared until it is spent, as with a criminal conviction.
What is a fixed penalty notice for disorder?
A penalty notice for disorder (PND) is a means by which the police can deal with issues of anti-social and nuisance behaviour which aren;t severe in nature.
There are two levels of PND:
- Upper tier offences – with an associated fine of £90
- Lower tier offences – with an associated fine of £60
What should you do if you receive a fixed penalty notice?
To challenge a fixed penalty notice, you should seek specialist legal advice. Our team of driving offence solicitors at Lawtons can advise you on the specific situations that may arise in your case. Contact us for assistance.
