Key takeaways
- UK speeding fines are split into three bands — A, B, and C — based on how far over the limit you were travelling
- Court fines are calculated as a percentage of your weekly income, not a flat amount
- Band A is the least severe (£100 / 3 points); Band C can result in a 56-day driving ban
- Maximum court fine is £1,000 on standard roads and £2,500 on motorways
- Speeding points stay on your licence for 4 years from the offence date
Being caught speeding in the UK doesn't automatically mean a fixed £100 fine and 3 points. The actual penalty depends on how far you were over the limit, your weekly income, your existing points, and whether your case ends up in court. This guide explains exactly how the system works.
How UK speeding fines are structured
The Sentencing Council sets guidelines that magistrates and police forces follow when issuing speeding penalties. These guidelines divide offences into three bands based on severity. The starting point for each band is calculated as a percentage of the offender's relevant weekly income (their gross weekly earnings).
The three speeding bands explained
Band A — minor speeding (1–10 mph over the limit)
| Speed limit | Recorded speed | Fine range | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 mph | 21–30 mph | 25%–75% of weekly income (min £100) | 3 points |
| 30 mph | 31–40 mph | ||
| 40 mph | 41–50 mph | ||
| 50 mph | 51–60 mph | ||
| 60 mph | 61–70 mph | ||
| 70 mph | 71–80 mph |
Band A is the most common category. Most drivers caught by fixed speed cameras or caught just over the limit receive a Band A Fixed Penalty Notice of £100 plus 3 points. If the case goes to court, the fine is 25–75% of weekly income.
Band B — moderate speeding (11–20 mph over the limit)
| Speed limit | Recorded speed | Fine range | Points or ban |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 mph | 31–40 mph | 75%–125% of weekly income | 4–6 points OR 7–28 day ban |
| 30 mph | 41–50 mph | ||
| 40 mph | 51–60 mph | ||
| 50 mph | 61–70 mph | ||
| 60 mph | 71–80 mph | ||
| 70 mph | 81–90 mph |
Band B offences are more serious. If you're caught doing 40 in a 30 zone, for example, you're in Band B territory. Magistrates can choose between issuing points or a short disqualification — the court will consider mitigating and aggravating factors.
Band C — serious speeding (21+ mph over the limit)
| Speed limit | Recorded speed | Fine range | Points or ban |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 mph | 41 mph+ | 125%–175% of weekly income (max £1,000 / £2,500 motorway) | 6 points OR 7–56 day ban |
| 30 mph | 51 mph+ | ||
| 40 mph | 61 mph+ | ||
| 50 mph | 71 mph+ | ||
| 60 mph | 81 mph+ | ||
| 70 mph | 91 mph+ |
Band C on a motorway: The maximum fine for a motorway speeding offence is £2,500 — not £1,000. If you were caught doing 91 mph or above on a motorway, you face a potentially very large court fine based on your income.
How weekly income affects your fine
Court fines for speeding are based on your relevant weekly income — your gross weekly pay before tax and deductions. If you don't work or have a very low income, magistrates typically use a deemed income of around £120 per week as the baseline.
For example: if your gross weekly income is £600 and you receive a Band B offence, the starting point is 100% of weekly income = £600. Depending on mitigating and aggravating factors, the final fine could be anywhere from £450 to £750.
Aggravating and mitigating factors
Magistrates don't just apply the starting point figure blindly. They consider factors that can increase or reduce the penalty:
Factors that increase the penalty
- Poor driving history / previous convictions
- Speeding in adverse weather conditions
- Towing a trailer or carrying passengers
- Evidence of racing or competitive driving
- Location with vulnerable road users (near schools, etc.)
Factors that reduce the penalty
- Genuine emergency situation
- Clean driving record
- Early guilty plea (typically reduces fine by one third)
- Genuine financial hardship
- Evidence of remorse and changed behaviour
Early guilty plea discount: Pleading guilty at the first opportunity in court typically reduces your fine by one third. If your Band B starting point is £600, an early guilty plea could reduce this to £400.
How long do speeding points stay on your licence?
Penalty points for speeding (endorsement code SP30 for a standard road, SP50 for a motorway) remain on your licence for 4 years from the date of the offence. They are only "active" (counting toward a driving ban) for the first 3 of those 4 years.
This means a speeding conviction from June 2023 would have points active until June 2026, and the points would remain visible on your record until June 2027.
When does a speeding offence result in a driving ban?
A single speeding offence can result in a driving ban in two situations:
- Totting up — if you accumulate 12 or more active penalty points across multiple offences within a 3-year period, you face a mandatory minimum 6-month ban
- Serious single offence — Band B and Band C offences give magistrates the option of imposing a short disqualification (7–56 days) instead of points, particularly for very excessive speeds
⚡ Want to know your exact fine?
Enter your speed, the speed limit, and your weekly income into our Speeding Fine Calculator for an instant Band A, B, or C estimate.
Calculate my speeding fine →Frequently asked questions
Also useful
Sources
- Sentencing Council — Magistrates' Court Sentencing Guidelines: Speeding
- GOV.UK — Speeding penalties
- GOV.UK — Penalty points (endorsements)