Appendix B: Driving Penalties and the Highway Code
Appendix B: Driving Penalties and the Highway Code
| Offence | Imprisonment | Fine | Disqualification | Penalty Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| *Causing death by dangerous driving | 14 years | Unlimited | Obligatory - 2 years minimum | 3-11 (if exceptionally not disqualified) |
| *Dangerous driving | 2 years | Unlimited | Obligatory | 3-11 (if exceptionally not disqualified) |
| *Causing death by careless driving under the influence of drink or drugs | 14 years | Unlimited | Obligatory - 2 years minimum | 3-11 (if exceptionally not disqualified) |
| Careless and inconsiderate driving | - | £5,000 | Discretionary | 3-9 |
| Driving while unfit through drink or drugs or with excess alcohol: or failing to provide a specimen for analysis | 6 months | £5,000 | Obligatory | 3-11 (if exceptionally not disqualified) |
| Failing to stop after an accident or failing to report an accident | 6 months | £5,000 | Discretionary | 5-10 |
| Driving while disqualified | 6 months (12 months in Scotland) | £5,000 | Discretionary | 6 |
| Driving after refusal or revocation of licence on medical grounds | 6 months | £5,000 | Discretionary | 3-6 |
| Driving without insurance | - | LGV £5,000 PCV £5,000 Other £2,500 | Obligatory if offence committed within 3 years of a previous conviction for the same 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, or using a hand held mobile phone when driving | - | £1,000 (£2,500 for PCV or goods vehicle) | Discretionary | 3 |
| Driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence | - | £1,000 | Discretionary | 3-6 |
| Speeding | - | £1,000 (£2,500 for motorway offences) | Discretionary | 3-6 or 3 (fixed penalty) |
| Traffic light offences | - | £1,000 | Discretionary | 3 |
| No MOT certificate | - | £1,000 | - | - |
| Seatbelt offences | - | £500 | - | - |
| Failing to identify driver of vehicle | £1,000 | Discretionary | 6 |
Source: The Official Highway Code (2012) Driving Standards Agency for the Department for Transport, London