Frequently Asked Questions
Why have I received a Notice for a Camera detected offence?
The vehicle to which the Notice refers is either registered to you or you have been nominated as the driver/keeper/hirer of the vehicle. The Notice is in line with a Government Strategy to reduce the number of persons killed or seriously injured on our roads. Exceeding the speed limit or contravening a red light is an offence for which a fine and penalty points are mandatory, however as an alternative, if strict criteria have been met, an educational course may also be available. Excessive inappropriate speed is a contributory factor in one third of all fatal and serious collisions.
I was the driver of the vehicle, what must I do now?
If you were the driver of the vehicle at the time of the alleged offence AND you are the person the Notice of Intended Prosecution (NIP) has been addressed to, you can:
Login to this site and complete the 'I was driving' form.
If you are unable to complete the form online, then you must fully complete and return the original NIP to the address stated at the top of the page.
Failure to complete and sign the NIP correctly or return the form within the time limit could result in Court proceedings.
If the document is NOT addressed to you, you MUST NOT complete the form; it must be passed back to the person to whom the form is addressed for completion.
If you respond online then there is no need to post back the paper Notice.
What happens after I have confirmed I was the driver?
You will receive another letter detailing the penalty options which will be offered to you.
These options MAY include:-
- A Driver Retraining Course if you are eligible (you will ALWAYS be offered a course if eligible),
- A Conditional Offer of a Fixed Penalty (do not pay the penalty fine if you have chosen a course option),
- If your speed is above the limit for a conditional offer, the file will be prepared for court. You will be advised in writing.
If you wish to dispute the evidence or put forward mitigation you have the right to request a court hearing and place the facts before the magistrates.
I was not the driver of the vehicle, what must I do now?
The person to which the Notice of Intended Prosecution (NIP) has been addressed is required to nominate the driver/owner/hirer of the vehicle . In the case of a company an appropriate company representative, e.g. the Company Secretary, Director or Fleet Manager must complete this task. Log in to this site and use the Online nomination form
THIS NOTICE MUST NOT BE PASSED TO THE DRIVER TO COMPLETE
Once a complete and valid nomination has been received, a NIP will be issued in the driver/owner/hirers name.
Failure to complete a valid nomination within the time limit could result in Court proceedings.
It is an offence to knowingly or recklessly furnish a false statement, which could result in a fine or imprisonment.
What happens if the vehicle is registered to a company?
The Company Secretary, Director or Manager must nominate the driver by either logging in to this site using the details on the Notice or by completing and returning the paper Notice.
The form should NOT be passed to the driver to complete.
Once a completed and valid nomination has been received, a Notice of Intended Prosecution (NIP) will be issued in the nominated driver/owner/hirer's name.
If not completing online, the completed document MUST be returned to the address shown.
Failure to complete and sign the NIP correctly or return the form within the time limit could result in Court proceedings.
What happens if I ignore the NIP?
You are required in law, under Section 172 of the Road Traffic Act 1988, to respond to the Notice within 28 days of the date of the Notice. If you do not respond, in addition to the alleged offence to which the Notice refers, you can also be prosecuted for a second alleged offence of failing to provide the required information. This offence carries a maximum fine of £1000 and a 6 penalty point endorsement on a driving licence.
What if I don't know who was driving my vehicle?
By law it is the responsibility of the registered owner/keeper, or any person subsequently nominated, to respond to the Notice of Intended Prosecution within 28 days of issue of the Notice (from the print date shown) and provide the identity of the driver at the time of the alleged offence or person/ organisation to whom responsibility has passed (e.g. to whom the vehicle was sold if prior to the offence date). Failure to do so could result in proceedings against the registered owner/keeper or person subsequently nominated. In the event that the vehicle is registered to a Limited Company then the Company Secretary will normally be summonsed.
If you are unable to provide full details of the driver, do not respond or fail to complete the form (e.g. a valid address) you may be prosecuted for the additional offence of failing to provide the required information. This offence carries a maximum fine of £1000 and 6 penalty points.
Can I have a copy of the photograph or the calibration certificate?
These are available to view on this website. We are not obliged to provide a copy to you unless the matter proceeds to court.
My NIP arrived more than 14 days after the alleged offence. Is it valid?
By law, the Notice of Intended Prosecution must be served on the last known registered Keeper of the vehicle, as shown by DVLA at Swansea, within 14 days of the date of the offence.
It is possible that you have been nominated as the driver by the last known registered keeper following their receipt of the NIP within the required 14 days.
Are my Human Rights infringed if I respond to this notice?
No. You are obliged to provide the information as requested. Failure to do so may result in prosecution. We have received advice from the Justices Clerks Society that the requirement to identify the driver is not of itself contrary to Article 6 of the Convention, and there is no known reason why, in general, prosecutions for Road Traffic matters (whether detected by Camera, or otherwise) should not proceed.
Can I plead mitigation in this matter?
The driver has the right to contest this matter in Court. If your mitigation is not accepted, the Magistrates will then determine the level of any fine and the number of points to be awarded. The Magistrate may also impose Costs and Victim Surcharge. You must advise us, in writing, if you wish for this matter to be heard in Court.
Why are there no 30mph speed limit signs in the area?
All roads with a system of regular street lighting (i.e. at least 3 street lamps each spaced no more than 200yards apart) have a speed limit of 30mph unless signed otherwise. Large 'gateway' speed limit signs will be placed where the changed speed limit commences (e.g. from national limit to 30mph) but smaller repeater signs are only required if the speed limit on these roads is over 30mph. Please refer to the Highway Code for guidance.
I could see the speed limit sign ahead, so why did I receive a Notice?
Where speed limits change there will be a large 'gateway' speed limit sign on either side of the road. The new limit does not apply until you have reached and passed the sign.
How do I know the speed is correct?
All speed detection devices used by The Safety Camera Team have Home Office Type Approval, as required by Section 20 Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988. All devices are calibrated and checked as required by Type Approval and manufacturers instructions. No device is used without a current valid calibration certificate, a copy of which can be viewed by logging in to this site.
What is a Conditional Offer of Fixed Penalty?
The Conditional Offer of Fixed Penalty, which is a £100 fine and 3 points on your driving licence, provides you with an alternative to having the matter heard in Court.
If you wish to accept the fixed penalty, you must pay the Conditional Offer using one of the methods described in the Offer AND send your Driving Licence details to the Conditional Offer Unit within the specified period. Your Driving Licence details must be supplied to the Conditional Offer Unit even if you have already provided them to the Police.
Can I still accept the Conditional Offer if I have an old style licence?
Yes, your old style driving licence will be accepted if it is a valid DVLA issued driving licence.
How long will the points remain on my driving licence?
The penalty points are valid for three years from the date of the offence but must remain on your driving licence for four years. After four years you may apply to the UK Driver & Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) to have then removed.
What if I have a foreign or international driving licence?
Holders of valid foreign driving licences can accept the fixed penalty option as an alternative to a court hearing.
If you wish to accept the fixed penalty, you must pay the Conditional Offer using one of the methods described in the Offer AND send your Driving Licence details to the Conditional Offer Unit within the specified period. Your Driving Licence details must be supplied to the Conditional Offer Unit even if you have already provided them to the Police.
Can I still accept the Conditional Offer if I have 9 valid points or more on my driving licence?
No, a Conditional Offer of Fixed Penalty cannot be accepted and the matter will have to be dealt with in Court. If your licence has been endorsed with 9 or more points within the last THREE YEARS you are liable to be disqualified from driving and cannot use the fixed penalty procedure. Contact this office by post immediately – arrangements will be made for the matter to proceed to court.
I want to accept the Conditional Offer but cannot find my driving licence; can I send the payment only?
If you have lost your driving licence you will need to apply for a new driving licence. For more information contact the UK Driver & Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) on 0300 790 6801 or visit their website www.dvla.gov.uk. The forms for a new driving licence can be obtained from your nearest Post Office.
You may make payment of the fixed penalty but the matter is not complete until your driving licence details have been received by the Conditional Offer Unit.
Can I send a cheque or a postal order and who do I make it payable to?
Yes, the Fixed Penalty Office accept both cheques and postal orders and they need to be made payable to HMCTS.
What should I do if my name/address details have changed but my DVLA issued driving licence has not yet been updated?
To avoid exceeding the Conditional Offer time limit, you must send your valid driving licence details to the Conditional Offer Unit and make payment. Afterwards, you should send your licence to UK Driver & Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) to have the details changed. The DVLA will not penalise you for the delay in changing the details.
Can I pay by credit or debit card?
Yes, the Fixed Penalty Office will accept most credit or debit cards, the only cards they will NOT accept are American Express or Diners Club cards.
Card payments can be made by either calling the 24 hour payment line or visiting the website shown on the reverse of the Conditional Offer form.
I cannot make the full payment, can I pay in instalments?
No, part payment CANNOT be accepted for the fixed penalty, a single full payment of £100 needs to be made. If you are unable to pay the full amount, the matter will be dealt with by way of a court hearing.
Can I attend a course?
If you are eligible for a Course then this will automatically be offered to you on receipt of the driver admission.
I wish this matter to be dealt with by way of a court hearing
If you wish the matter to be dealt with by the way of a court hearing you must write to the Central Ticket Office, PO Box 3293, Norwich, NR7 7ET
The Court will consider any mitigating circumstances that you may wish to bring to their attention.
What is the Speed Awareness Course?
The course consists of a four-hour theory session, combining discussion, group work and presentations, led by specialist driving instructors and explores and challenges the reasons why people exceed speed limits with the aim of helping drivers to prevent future lapses that lead to misuse of speed. It has been designed to be participative, informative and structured in a friendly non-confrontational manner. It aims to provide an opportunity to look at speed related issues, especially how to recognise speed limits and determine appropriate speed for a variety of road and traffic conditions. There is no formal test.
Can anyone attend?
You can attend a Speed Awareness Course as long as you hold a valid driving licence which allows you to drive in the UK and you have not attended the same course anywhere in the country in the last three years.
What if I have a foreign driving licence?
If you hold an EU licence or an international driving licence and have been living in the UK for less than a year you can attend a Course. Regrettably, international driving permits cannot be accepted.
How do I get the offer?
If you are eligible, a Retraining Offer will automatically be issued once the driver has been identified and has confirmed they were the driver by either returning their completed Notice or responding online within 3 months of the date of the offence.
As well as responding within 3 months of the offence date, to be eligible for a course the speed recorded must not exceed 42 mph in a 30mph limit, 53 mph in a 40mph limit, 64 mph in a 50mph limit, 75 mph in a 60mph limit and 86 mph in a 70mph limit. Plus the driver must not have completed a Speed Awareness Course within the previous three years.
If I attend a course, will I still get penalty points on my driving licence?
No, once you have successfully completed a course for your offence that is the end of the matter.
Where are the courses held?
Courses are held throughout the country so you can find one in a location convenient to you. A list of course providers will be sent with your paperwork. They are in several locations across Norfolk and Suffolk and are held daytime, evenings or weekends.
You can also complete a course Online in a virtual classroom.
How much are the course fees and when do I have to pay?
Fees vary across the country and you will be sent details with your paperwork. In Norfolk and Suffolk the fee is £95.
How do I accept the offer of a Course?
Full details on how to book a course will be sent to you if you are eligible.
How long do I have to accept a Course?
The Offer of a Course is ONLY open for 28 days from the date on the form. If you do not respond within this period the offer of the course may be withdrawn. No proceedings will be instigated against you during this 28 day period, however failure to respond to this Notice will lead to the matter proceeding to court. If you accept the offer of the course, you must complete the course within 4 months of the date of the offence.
What should I do if I do not want to accept the course option?
Should you decide that you do not wish to accept the offer of the course, the Conditional Offer of Fixed Penalty is available to you. You have 28 days from the date of the Notice to accept the Conditional Offer or you have the option to request a court hearing.
What if I have been offered the same Course for two different offences?
You can only attend one Course in a 3 year period, based on dates of offences. Therefore you are eligible to undertake the Course on one of the offences, however the other will have to be dealt with by way of the fixed penalty option or the request of a court hearing. Should you be offered a 'Speed Awareness Course' and another type of course such as 'What's Driving Us' or 'Your Belt Your Life' for two separate offences, you can attend both.
How important is it that I bring my driving licence with me?
You must bring your original driving licence with you to the course; a photocopy will not be accepted. If this is not a photocard, you will need to bring additional photographic identification. If your driving licence is not available, you will be required to provide another form of ID with your signature and a photograph. Failure to supply the required documentation on the day of the course will result in you being unable to participate on the course and your fee will not be refunded. Every effort will be made to offer an alternative date provided there is sufficient availability and time within the police deadline. A further fee will be required
I am unable to attend, can the date be changed?
If you need to change your course date, please contact the Course Provider as soon as possible. This may be subject to an administration fee.
What happens if I am ill, late on the day or don't turn up?
If you are ill, you must contact the Course Provider as soon as possible; you will be required to provide a Doctor's Certificate. If you are late on the day, you will NOT be admitted to the course. It is your responsibility, having accepted the course date, to ensure that you arrive in plenty of time. If you fail to attend or do not complete the course then the Course Offer will be withdrawn, your case will be referred back to the Central Ticket Office and you will be offered the options of accepting the fixed penalty or requesting a court hearing. Your course fee will not be refunded.