Penalties

3. Penalty table

​An annex of The Highway Code with information and rules about penalties, including penalty points and disqualification, a penalty table, new drivers and other consequences of offending.

 

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 under the influence of drink or drugs

14 years’ imprisonment / Unlimited fine / Obligatory disqualification (minimum 2 years)

3 to 11 (if exceptionally not disqualified)

Careless and inconsiderate driving

Unlimited fine / Discretionary disqualification

3 to 9

Driving while unfit through drink or drugs or with excess alcohol: or failing to provide a specimen for analysis

6 months’ imprisonment / Unlimited fine / Obligatory disqualification

3 to 11 (if exceptionally not disqualified)

Failing to stop after an accident or failing to report an accident

6 months’ imprisonment / Unlimited fine / Discretionary disqualification

5 to 10

Driving while disqualified

6 months’ imprisonment (12 months in Scotland) / Unlimited fine / Discretionary disqualification

6

Driving after refusal or revocation of licence on medical grounds

6 months’ imprisonment / Unlimited fine / Discretionary disqualification

3 to 6

Driving without insurance

Unlimited fine / Discretionary disqualification

6 to 8

Using a vehicle in a dangerous condition

LGV or PCV unlimited, other vehicles £2,500/ Obligatory disqualification if offence committed within 3 years of a previous conviction for a similar offence - 6 months min. Otherwise discretionary

3 in each case

Failure to have proper control of vehicle or full view of the road and traffic ahead

£1,000 fine (£2,500 for PCV or goods vehicle) / Discretionary disqualification

3

Using a hand-held mobile phone when driving

£1,000 fine (£2,500 for PCV or goods vehicle) / Discretionary disqualification

6

Driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence

£1,000 fine / Discretionary disqualification

3 to 6

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.

Content

Introduction 
Rules for pedestrians (1 to 35)
Rules for users of powered wheelchairs and powered mobility scooters (36 to 46) 
Rules about animals (47 to 58)
Rules for cyclists (59 to 82)
Rules for motorcyclists (83 to 88)
Rules for drivers and motorcyclists (89 to 102)
General rules, techniques and advice for all drivers and riders (103 to 158)
Using the road (159 to 203)
Road users requiring extra care (204 to 225) 
Driving in adverse weather conditions (226 to 237)
Waiting and parking (238 to 252)
Motorways (253 to 273)
Breakdowns and incidents (274 to 287)
Road works, level crossings and tramways (288 to 307)

Signs and Signals
Direction signs on roads and motorways
Information signs
Light signals controlling traffic 
Road markings 
Road signs giving orders
Road works signs
Signals by authorised persons
Signals to other road users
Traffic signs 
Vehicle markings
Warning signs

Annexes
Penalties
Vehicle maintenance, safety and security 
First aid on the road
Safety Code for new drivers