Speeding tickets

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How does being caught speeding affect car insurance costs?

If you receive points on your driving licence or a speeding ticket, it is highly likely that your car insurance premiums will increase in price.

Do speeding tickets affect my car insurance?

Yes, speeding tickets can affect your car insurance premiums. When you receive a speeding ticket, it goes on your driving record, and insurance companies consider this when calculating your insurance premiums.

Generally, if you have points on your driving licence or a history of speeding, insurance companies will consider you a higher-risk driver and charge you higher premiums.

The severity and frequency of speeding tickets will also impact insurance rates. It’s always best to drive safely and obey traffic laws to avoid getting a ticket and potentially paying higher insurance premiums.

How much will my premiums go up by if I have a speeding ticket?

The impact of a speeding ticket on your car insurance premiums can vary depending on several factors, such as your age, the type of vehicle you drive, and the severity of the offence. Insurance companies also take into consideration your driving history, including any previous convictions or penalty points on your licence.

Generally, the more serious the offence and the more points you have on your licence, the higher the increase in your premiums is likely to be. However, the amount of increase can vary widely between insurers, so it’s worth shopping around to find the best deal.

Additionally, some insurance companies may offer policies specifically designed for drivers with points on their licence, which could help mitigate the cost of your premiums.

How can I reduce my premiums if I have a speeding ticket?

If you have a speeding conviction, there are several things you can do to lower your insurance premiums. These include:

Increasing your voluntary excess: This is the amount you pay towards making a claim before your insurance kicks in. By opting for a higher excess, you can reduce your premiums, but you should make sure you can afford to pay the excess if you need to make a claim.
Reducing your mileage: The less time you spend on the road, the lower your risk of an accident. Lowering your annual mileage can help bring down your insurance costs.
Considering telematics: Also known as black box insurance, telematics involves having a device fitted to your car to monitor your driving habits. If you can demonstrate that you are a safe driver, you may be rewarded with lower premiums.
Securing your car: Keep your car in a locked garage if possible, and consider installing an approved alarm and immobiliser to reduce the risk of theft. This can also help lower your insurance costs.

Do I have to tell my insurer if I get a speeding ticket?

Yes, you have to tell your insurer if you get a speeding ticket. It’s your responsibility to keep your insurer up to date with any changes that may affect your policy, including any penalty points or convictions.

If you don’t declare a speeding ticket or any other penalty points, it could invalidate your policy and any claims you make may be rejected. So, it’s important to be honest with your insurer about any driving convictions you receive.

What are the different types of speeding offences?

There are various types of speeding offences that you can be charged with, including:

Exceeding the statutory speed limit on a public road – This typically results in 3-6 penalty points on your licence.
Exceeding the speed limit on a motorway – This offence can also lead to 3-6 penalty points on your licence.
Exceeding goods vehicle speed limits – If you’re driving a goods vehicle and exceed the speed limit, you could face 3-6 penalty points.
Exceeding speed limit for type of vehicle (excluding goods or passenger vehicles) – This can result in 3-6 penalty points on your licence.
Exceeding passenger vehicle speed limit – If you’re driving a passenger vehicle and exceed the speed limit, you could also receive 3-6 penalty points.

Apart from speeding, there are other driving offences that could also affect your insurance premiums, such as driving without insurance, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and using your mobile phone while driving.

These offences carry their own penalties and could result in higher premiums or even cancellation of your policy.

How much will I be fined for speeding?

The amount of the speeding fine you receive will depend on how much you were exceeding the speed limit by when you were caught. There are three bands of speeding fines, each with different financial penalties and penalty points.

Band A: If you are caught driving up to 10mph over the limit, you will be charged 25% to 75% of your weekly income, and receive three points on your licence. This is enough to increase the price of your car insurance premiums by a small amount.
Band B: If you are caught driving between 11mph and 20mph over the limit, you will receive a fine worth 75% to 125% of your weekly income and four to six points on your licence, as well as up to a month’s ban from driving.
Band C: If you are caught driving at least 20mph above the limit (or 30mph over on a motorway), you will be fined 125% to 175% of your weekly income, given six points, and up to two months of disqualification.

Related: Leased car insurance

It’s worth noting that fines for speeding in Scotland are slightly different, and the points system also differs in Northern Ireland.

If you are offered a speed awareness course as an alternative to getting points on your licence, you’ll typically need to pay between £80 to £100 for the course. However, if you have previous convictions or commit more serious offences such as speeding in an area with a high number of pedestrians, you may face penalties under the more severe bands (D, E, and F).

Can I be prosecuted for speeding?

If you are caught speeding excessively, you may face more severe penalties than just a fixed penalty notice. In addition to the £1,000 – or £2,500 fine, you may also face a driving disqualification, which could range from a few weeks to several years depending on the severity of the offence.

If you are prosecuted for dangerous driving, the penalties can be even more severe. This offence carries a maximum penalty of two years’ imprisonment, as well as an unlimited fine and a mandatory driving disqualification. In some cases, dangerous driving charges may also result in a criminal record.

It’s worth noting that the police use a range of tools and technology to catch speeding drivers, including speed cameras, average speed cameras, and handheld radar guns. Some areas also use unmarked police cars to catch speeding drivers.

Can I be disqualified from driving if I speed?

Yes, you can be disqualified from driving if you are caught speeding. The length of disqualification can vary depending on the severity of the offence and your driving history.

For example, if you are caught driving at more than twice the speed limit, you could be disqualified for up to 56 days. If you have a history of speeding convictions, the disqualification period could be longer.

In more serious cases, such as causing death by dangerous driving, the disqualification period can be much longer, even up to a lifetime ban.

What happens if I speed?

If you are caught speeding well over the legal limit, the severity of the consequences will depend on the degree to which you exceeded the speed limit. You could receive a fine and be issued with penalty points on your licence, or in more severe cases, you could be disqualified from driving altogether.

For example, if you receive 12 or more points on your licence within three years, you will typically face a minimum six-month driving ban. However, if you were caught travelling at excessively high speeds, you could be disqualified from driving for an extended period, depending on the severity of the offence.

In addition to a fine and penalty points, speeding convictions can also have an impact on your car insurance premiums. Having points on your licence can make it more difficult to find affordable insurance, as insurers will consider you to be a higher-risk driver.

How will I know if I’ve been caught by a speed camera?

If you’ve been caught by a speed camera, you should receive a notification by post within 14 days. The two forms of notice that you may receive are a Notice of Intended Prosecution (NIP) and a Section 172 notice. The NIP informs you that you have been caught breaking the speed limit, while the Section 172 notice requests that you identify the driver of the vehicle at the time of the offence.

You are required to return the Section 172 notice within 28 days, identifying the driver. Failing to do so can result in you being summoned to court. If you were the driver, you may receive a fixed penalty notice or a court summons. It’s important to note that the penalty you receive may depend on how fast you were driving and whether this was a minor or major offence.

What is a fixed penalty notice?

A fixed penalty notice is a legal document that notifies you of a speeding offence you have committed and the consequences.
The notice usually arrives by post, but the police can also give it to you in person.
The penalty for a fixed penalty notice is at least three penalty points on your licence and a £100 fine.
You have the option to either pay the fine and accept the points on your licence or attend a speed awareness course at your own expense, which will prevent the points from being added.
You do not usually need to attend court if you accept the terms of the fixed penalty notice, but you can challenge it and choose to appear in court if you wish to contest the allegation.

Compare car insurance quotes

If you have penalty points on your driving licence, it can be more difficult to find affordable car insurance. However, Comparoo offers a solution by allowing you to compare car insurance quotes from over 110 providers. This comparison website can help you find a policy that suits your needs and budget, even with penalty points on your licence.

With Comparoo, you can easily compare policies based on factors such as coverage, excess, and discounts. By doing so, you can find a policy that provides the coverage you need at a price you can afford.

On average, customers who use Comparoo to compare car insurance quotes save up to £334*. This can be a significant amount of money that can help you to keep your car insurance costs down.

If you’re struggling to find affordable car insurance due to penalty points on your licence, Comparoo is a great resource to help you find the best deal. With a wide range of providers to choose from, you’re sure to find a policy that meets your needs and budget.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the national speed limit in the UK?

In the UK, there is no single national speed limit. The speed limit on motorways is 70mph, while on single-carriageway roads it is 60mph. However, if you’re towing a caravan or trailer, the speed limit may be lower.

For roads with streetlights, the speed limit is generally 30 miles per hour (48km/h) unless indicated otherwise by signs.

It’s important to note that local councils may lower speed limits on certain roads to promote safety for drivers and other road users. As a result, it’s crucial to not assume the speed limit for a road and always look out for signs indicating a reduced limit, which must be clearly displayed.

Can I break the speed limit to overtake?

No, you cannot break the speed limit to overtake another vehicle. Rule 163 of the Highway Code states that ‘overtaking should only be done when it is safe and legal to do so‘.

This means that you should not exceed the speed limit of the road in order to overtake another vehicle.

Can I speed in an emergency?

No, you cannot speed while driving unless you’re driving an emergency vehicle. There are no exceptions for regular drivers.

Can I be convicted for driving too slowly?

There is no specific law against driving too slowly, but you could still face penalties. If the police deem that you are driving without due care and attention or without reasonable consideration for other drivers, they can pull you over and fine you.

This offence, known as careless driving, can result in a CD30 endorsement and three to nine points on your licence.

Additionally, some roads may have minimum speed limits. These are indicated by blue circular signs with a white font showing the speed limit. If you fail to maintain this speed, you could face penalties.

The end of a minimum speed limit is indicated by a similar sign with a red diagonal line through it.

Could a black box stop me from speeding?

Black box technology cannot physically prevent you from speeding. However, it can encourage drivers to drive more responsibly on the roads.

When you purchase a telematics car insurance policy, a black box is installed in your car to collect data about your driving habits and send it to your insurance provider.

If you consistently drive within the speed limits and demonstrate good driving skills, this information can help reduce the cost of your insurance.

Do I have to tell my insurance provider if I get a speeding ticket?

Yes, it is important to inform your insurance provider if you receive a speeding ticket.

Most insurance companies require drivers to declare any motoring convictions they’ve received within the past five years. Failure to disclose this information when applying for insurance could invalidate your cover, which means any claim you make could be rejected.

If you are convicted of a driving offence after taking out insurance, it’s crucial to inform your provider about it.

How can I reduce my premiums if I have a speeding ticket?

If you have a speeding ticket and are looking to reduce your car insurance premiums, consider the following tips:

Shop around for the best deal from different insurance providers.
Plan ahead and purchase insurance three weeks before your current policy’s end date.
Consider a black box policy, which can reward you for safe driving.
Increase your excess, which means you’ll pay more out of pocket in the event of an accident, but your premiums will be lower.
Pay your yearly premium in one go, as monthly payments often come with additional fees.
Try to reduce your mileage and only drive when necessary.

Here are more money-saving tips on how to save on car insurance.

Will a speed awareness course affect my insurance?

Maybe, taking a speed awareness course may or may not impact your car insurance premiums, depending on your insurance provider’s perspective.

It is important to note that you will have to pay for the course, which typically costs around £100, similar to the cost of a fine. However, attending the course means that you will not receive penalty points on your driving license.

Some insurance providers may consider your attendance on a speed awareness course as an indication that you are more likely to be involved in a future accident. Others may see it as an opportunity for you to improve your driving skills and therefore less of an accident risk.

If you choose not to attend a speed awareness course and instead receive penalty points on your licence, your car insurance premium will likely increase. It is worth noting that not all drivers are offered the option to attend a speed awareness course.