How do I appeal a speeding fine?

CONTESTING a speeding ticket is a risky business. If a court decides in favour of police or speed-camera evidence, your small speeding penalty could turn into a bigger one.

That’s why experts reckon less than one per cent of UK speeding tickets are contested, and only around half of those appeals are successful. Successful appeals tend to be built around the technicalities of how and where a ticket was issued.

VALID REASONS COULD BE:

● The Notice of Intended Prosecution has incorrect details about the nature, time, or location of the alleged offence. Spelling mistakes or typos don’t count, though.

● The alleged speeder wasn’t driving when the offence took place. Refusing to identify the driver could land you in more trouble, however. ● The road signage for speed limits was either missing or incorrect.

● The speed-measuring equipment had not been calibrated or was being misused.

If you decided to appeal against the Notice of Intended Prosecution, you will first have to reply to your speeding ticket with a not-guilty plea. This will result in you being summoned to a court hearing.

You are perfectly within your rights to represent yourself in court, and magistrates can be sympathetic to a well argued case from a member of the public. It’s certainly cheaper than hiring a lawyer.

The magistrates, however, won’t take kindly to having their time wasted if you haven’t fully understood the law. When the financial stakes are higher, or a driving ban is on the cards, seeking professional legal advice may be a sensible option, though.