Most common outcomes
Before getting into the detail, here is what most drivers can expect based on their situation.
Slightly over the limit. A fixed penalty of £100 and three penalty points, or a speed awareness course if you qualify and one is offered.
Moderate speeding. Referred to court, higher income-based fine, and between four and six penalty points or a short driving ban.
Serious or excessive speeding. Court summons, significant fine based on your income, and six penalty points or a driving ban of up to 56 days.
The fixed penalty - the most common outcome
For most drivers caught slightly over the speed limit, the outcome is a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN): a £100 fine and three penalty points added to your driving licence. No court appearance is required. You pay the fine, accept the points, and the matter is closed.
This applies to Band A offences - the least serious category of speeding. If your speed was significantly over the limit, or if your case is referred to court for any reason, the fine is calculated differently and can be considerably higher.
It is also worth knowing that speed cameras do not typically trigger at the exact speed limit. As a general guideline, enforcement action usually begins at 10% of the speed limit plus 2mph - so 35mph in a 30 zone, or 79mph on a 70mph motorway. This is not a guaranteed tolerance and varies between police forces, but it reflects common practice.
How speeding fine bands work
When a speeding case is dealt with by a magistrates court, fines are not fixed - they are calculated as a percentage of your net weekly income after tax and National Insurance. The court will ask you to declare your income, and the fine is set accordingly.
The system divides offences into three bands based on how far over the limit you were driving.
Band A - minor speeding
Typically up to around 10mph over the speed limit.
- Fine: 50% of weekly net income
- Minimum fine: £100
- Penalty points: 3
- Driving ban: not usual at this level
Example: doing 35mph in a 30mph zone on a clean licence would typically result in the £100 fixed penalty or a Band A court fine.
Band B - moderate speeding
Typically between 10mph and 20mph over the speed limit.
- Fine: 100% of weekly net income
- Minimum fine: £100
- Penalty points: 4 to 6, or a driving ban of up to 28 days
- A ban may be imposed instead of points at the court's discretion
Example: doing 46mph in a 30mph zone falls into Band B and is likely to result in a court summons rather than a fixed penalty.
Band C - serious speeding
Typically more than 20mph over the speed limit, though the exact threshold varies by speed limit.
- Fine: 125% to 175% of weekly net income
- Maximum fine: £1,000 on most roads, £2,500 on a motorway
- Penalty points: 6, or a driving ban of up to 56 days
- At extreme speeds, dangerous driving charges may be considered
Example: doing 60mph in a 30mph zone is a Band C offence and will almost certainly result in a court summons, a significant fine, and either six points or a ban.
Speeding fine thresholds by speed limit
The band that applies depends on your actual speed relative to the posted limit. The tables below show the typical thresholds used by courts and police forces across England and Wales. These are based on Sentencing Council guidelines and used as a starting point - magistrates retain discretion to adjust based on individual circumstances.
30mph zone
| Speed recorded | Band | Likely outcome |
|---|---|---|
| 31–40mph | Band A | £100 fine + 3 points |
| 41–50mph | Band B | Income-based fine + 4–6 points or short ban |
| 51mph+ | Band C | Higher fine + 6 points or ban up to 56 days |
40mph zone
| Speed recorded | Band | Likely outcome |
|---|---|---|
| 41–53mph | Band A | £100 fine + 3 points |
| 54–65mph | Band B | Income-based fine + 4–6 points or short ban |
| 66mph+ | Band C | Higher fine + 6 points or ban up to 56 days |
50mph zone
| Speed recorded | Band | Likely outcome |
|---|---|---|
| 51–65mph | Band A | £100 fine + 3 points |
| 66–75mph | Band B | Income-based fine + 4–6 points or short ban |
| 76mph+ | Band C | Higher fine + 6 points or ban up to 56 days |
60mph zone
| Speed recorded | Band | Likely outcome |
|---|---|---|
| 61–80mph | Band A | £100 fine + 3 points |
| 81–90mph | Band B | Income-based fine + 4–6 points or short ban |
| 91mph+ | Band C | Higher fine + 6 points or ban up to 56 days |
70mph zone (motorway)
| Speed recorded | Band | Likely outcome |
|---|---|---|
| 71–90mph | Band A | £100 fine + 3 points |
| 91–100mph | Band B | Income-based fine + 4–6 points or short ban |
| 101mph+ | Band C | Fine up to £2,500 + 6 points or ban up to 56 days |
Real-world fine examples
To make this practical, here are worked examples based on a driver earning £30,000 per year - a net weekly income of approximately £450 after tax and National Insurance.
35mph in a 30mph zone - Band A. Fixed penalty: £100 and 3 penalty points. If referred to court: approximately £225 (50% of weekly income).
45mph in a 30mph zone - Band B. Court fine: approximately £450 (100% of weekly income), plus 4 to 6 penalty points or a ban of up to 28 days. A fixed penalty is unlikely at this speed.
55mph in a 30mph zone - Band C. Court fine: approximately £575 to £790 (125% to 175% of weekly income), plus 6 penalty points or a ban of up to 56 days.
90mph on a 70mph motorway - Band B/C boundary. Court fine: £450 to £790 plus points or a ban. At speeds approaching 100mph, Band C applies and a ban becomes more likely than points.
100mph+ on a motorway - Band C. Maximum fine of £2,500. A driving ban is the likely outcome rather than points. At extreme speeds, dangerous driving charges become a possibility.
The court will always ask about your income before setting a fine. If you are unemployed or on a low income the minimum figures apply. If you earn significantly above average your fine could be considerably higher than these examples suggest.
Maximum speeding fines in the UK
The maximum fine for speeding in the UK is £1,000 on most roads and £2,500 on a motorway or dual carriageway. These are court-imposed maximums. The £100 Fixed Penalty Notice is the starting point for minor offences - not the ceiling.
What affects the size of your fine?
Several factors can push your fine toward the higher end of the band range, or result in the matter being treated more seriously.
Your income. Court fines are income-based. The higher your net weekly earnings, the higher your fine within the band percentage range.
The road and conditions. Speeding near a school, in heavy traffic, in poor weather, or in a built-up residential area are all aggravating factors courts take seriously.
Your driving history. Previous speeding convictions, particularly recent ones, will be considered. A clean licence works in your favour and may keep your fine toward the lower end of the range.
The type of vehicle. Speeding in an HGV, bus, or other large vehicle is treated more seriously than the same offence in a car.
Whether you pleaded guilty early. An early guilty plea typically results in a reduction of up to one third on the fine. Waiting until the day of the hearing before pleading guilty reduces or removes that discount.
New drivers - the six-point rule
If you passed your driving test within the last two years, the standard 12-point disqualification threshold does not apply to you. Under the New Drivers Act, accumulating just six penalty points within the first two years of holding a full licence results in your licence being revoked automatically.
This means a single Band B speeding offence - which carries four to six points - could cost a new driver their licence entirely. Even a standard fixed penalty of three points takes a new driver halfway to revocation.
If your licence is revoked you do not simply serve a ban and resume driving. You must reapply for a provisional licence and retake both the theory and practical driving tests before you can drive again.
This makes the speed awareness course particularly valuable for new drivers. Completing the course avoids points entirely and protects a licence that would otherwise be at serious risk.
How many points lead to a ban - and the full new driver rulesCan you reduce or avoid a fine?
In some circumstances, yes.
Speed awareness course. If you are eligible and the offer is made, attending a speed awareness course means no fine and no points. This is the most favourable outcome available for a minor offence.
Check if you qualify for a speed awareness course instead of pointsEarly guilty plea. If your case goes to court, pleading guilty at the earliest opportunity typically reduces your fine by up to one third.
Mitigating circumstances. A clean driving record, genuine remorse, and evidence of personal hardship can all influence the court's decision within the band guidelines. They will not remove the penalty but may keep it toward the lower end of the range.
Exceptional hardship. If penalty points would result in disqualification and you can demonstrate that a ban would cause exceptional hardship - such as loss of employment affecting your family - you may apply to the court to retain your licence. Legal advice is recommended before pursuing this route.
What happens after a speeding fine?
A fine is rarely the only consequence. Depending on your circumstances, you may also face:
- Penalty points pushing you toward a driving ban - see how many points before you are banned
- A Notice of Intended Prosecution if you have not already received one - what to do when a NIP arrives
- A court hearing if your speed was too excessive for a fixed penalty - what to expect at a speeding court hearing
- Higher car insurance premiums at renewal - how penalty points affect your insurance costs