UK Speeding Fine Calculator 2026
Find your likely fine, points, and ban risk in under 30 seconds, based on 2026 sentencing guidelines.
How does the speeding fine calculator work?
The calculator works out how far over the speed limit you were, assigns the correct sentencing band (A, B, or C) based on Sentencing Council guidelines, and estimates a fine range as a percentage of your weekly income within that band's limits. It also checks whether adding the band's typical points to your existing total would put you at risk of the 12-point totting-up threshold.
Fines in UK law are deliberately income-linked — a fine that's proportionate for one driver could be trivial or crushing for another at a flat rate, so magistrates work in percentages of weekly income rather than fixed amounts, within a band-specific floor and ceiling.
3 worked examples
Example 1 — Band A, minor speeding
Caught at 38mph in a 30mph zone (8mph over), weekly take-home income £500, clean licence.
8mph over falls in Band A (1–10 mph over)
Fine range:25–75% of £500 = £125–£375
Points and course:3 points if fined, or likely eligible for a speed awareness course instead (no points) since no course in the last 3 years
Example 2 — Band B, motorway speeding
Caught at 88mph on a 70mph motorway (18mph over), weekly income £700.
18mph over falls in Band B (11–20 mph over)
Fine range:75–125% of £700 = £525–£875 (within the £2,500 motorway cap)
Points and risk:4–6 points, with a 7–28 day disqualification genuinely possible at this level — not just theoretical
Example 3 — Band C, driver near the totting-up threshold
Caught at 55mph in a 30mph zone (25mph over), weekly income £450, already has 9 points on their licence.
25mph over falls in Band C (21+ mph over)
Fine range:125–175% of £450 = £562–£787, within the standard £1,000 cap
Totting-up:9 existing points + 6 new points = 15 points — well over the 12-point threshold, making a mandatory minimum 6-month driving ban highly likely unless exceptional hardship is proven
Example 3 shows why the totting-up check matters as much as the fine itself — at 25mph over the limit with 9 points already on the licence, the driving ban is a bigger practical concern than the £600–£800 fine.
UK speeding fine bands explained (A, B and C)
The UK Magistrates' Court uses three sentencing bands for speeding offences, based on how far over the limit you were travelling. The band determines the starting point for the fine and penalty points.
| Band | Speed Over Limit | Fine (% weekly income) | Penalty Points | Disqualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | 1–10 mph over | 25–75% (min £100) | 3 points | Not usually |
| B | 11–20 mph over | 75–125% (min £100) | 4–6 points | 7–28 days possible |
| C | 21+ mph over | 125–175% (max £1,000 / £2,500 motorway) | 6 points | 56 days possible |
What is the minimum speeding fine in the UK?
The minimum speeding fine in the UK is £100, regardless of income. The maximum for a standard road speeding offence is £1,000, rising to £2,500 on a motorway. Fines are normally capped at these levels unless aggravating factors are present, such as previous convictions, driving for hire or reward, or particularly poor road conditions at the time.
Can I go on a speed awareness course instead?
You may be offered a National Speed Awareness Course (NSAC) as an alternative to a fixed penalty if your speed was within Band A of the limit and you have not attended such a course in the past 3 years. The course costs approximately £80–£100 and takes a half day to complete. No points are added to your licence.
Not all police forces offer courses, and you cannot request one — it must be offered to you. See our full comparison: Speed Awareness Course vs Penalty Points.
Will speeding points affect my insurance?
Yes. Even 3 points for a Band A speeding offence typically increase car insurance premiums by 5–25% at renewal. The increase depends on your insurer, driving history, and the number of total points. Points must be declared to insurers for 5 years from the offence date, even though they become inactive after 3 years.
What this calculator can't tell you
The exact fine a magistrate will set
Magistrates have discretion within each band's range and consider aggravating factors (poor weather, high-risk location, previous convictions) and mitigating factors (genuine emergency, clean long-term record) that no calculator can weigh for you. The range shown is a realistic starting point, not a guarantee.
Whether you'll be offered a speed awareness course
Course eligibility is entirely at the discretion of the individual police force that caught you — even within Band A, some forces don't offer courses for certain roads or repeat low-level offenders. The calculator estimates likely eligibility based on typical criteria, but only your NIP letter tells you for certain.
Your specific circumstances in court
If your case goes to court rather than a fixed penalty, the outcome depends heavily on legal representation, how the case is presented, and factors specific to your history. For anything beyond a straightforward fixed penalty, professional legal advice is worth the cost.
Common calculation mistakes
Using gross income instead of weekly take-home pay
Sentencing guidelines work from net weekly income, not gross salary. Using your pre-tax figure will overestimate your likely fine range.
Assuming Band B always means points, not a course
Speed awareness courses are generally only offered within Band A — assuming you'll be offered one at Band B speeds is usually incorrect and can lead to an unpleasant surprise when a fixed penalty notice with points arrives instead.
Forgetting existing points when assessing ban risk
A driver with 8 existing points facing a Band A offence (3 more points = 11 total) is in a very different position from a driver with 0 points facing the same offence — always check your totting-up position, not just the offence band in isolation.
Treating the maximum fine cap as the typical outcome
The £1,000/£2,500 figures are caps, not typical fines. Most speeding fines land well within the percentage-of-income range for the relevant band, not at the absolute ceiling.
If you've been caught speeding
- Respond to the NIP within 28 days — failing to respond is itself a separate offence with its own penalty points
- Accept a speed awareness course if offered, unless you have a specific reason not to — it avoids points entirely
- Check your current points before responding — use our Penalty Points Calculator to see your exact position and whether totting-up is a real risk
- Gather evidence of your actual weekly income if the case proceeds to a fine, so the magistrate works from an accurate figure rather than an assumption
- Get legal advice early if you're near 12 points — exceptional hardship arguments need proper preparation and evidence, not a last-minute case
How we calculate
Band = based on mph over the speed limit — 1–10 over is Band A, 11–20 over is Band B, 21+ over is Band C.
Fine range = weekly income × band percentage range, floored at £100 and capped at £1,000 (£2,500 on a 70mph motorway limit).
Points follow the band: 3 for Band A, 4–6 for Band B, 6 for Band C (used as a representative 5 for the totting-up check on Band B, since actual points within that band vary by circumstance).
Totting-up warning triggers when existing points plus the band's representative points reach 12 or more.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum speeding fine in the UK?
£100, regardless of income. This applies even to the lowest end of Band A offences. The maximum for a standard road is £1,000, rising to £2,500 on a motorway.
Can I go on a speed awareness course instead of getting points?
Possibly, if your speed falls within Band A and you haven't attended a course in the past 3 years. It's offered at the discretion of the police force that caught you — you cannot request one yourself. No points are added if you complete the course.
Will speeding points affect my car insurance?
Yes. Even 3 points typically increase premiums by 5–25% at renewal. Points must be declared to insurers for 5 years from the offence date, even though they become inactive after 3 years for totting-up purposes.
How is the fine amount actually decided?
Magistrates start from a percentage of your weekly take-home income within the range for your offence band, then adjust for aggravating or mitigating factors. The calculator shows the starting-point range only — the final figure is a magistrate's decision.
What happens if new points would take me to 12 or more?
You risk a mandatory minimum 6-month driving ban under the totting-up rule, unless you can demonstrate "exceptional hardship" to the court. This is a high bar — get legal advice before your court date if this applies to you.
References & data sources
- Sentencing Council — Magistrates' Court Sentencing Guidelines: Speeding. The official band definitions, fine percentage ranges, and disqualification guidance used directly for the calculator's logic.
- GOV.UK — Speeding penalties. Minimum and maximum fine caps, and general penalty overview.
- NDORS — National Driver Offender Retraining Scheme. Speed awareness course eligibility criteria and typical cost.
- GOV.UK — Driving disqualifications: totting up. The 12-point threshold and minimum ban length rules used for the totting-up warning.
Fine amounts are ultimately at a magistrate's discretion within the guideline ranges shown. This calculator provides a realistic estimate, not a legal prediction — always seek professional advice for an actual court case.