Use this guide if you receive a Notice of Intended Prosecution (NIP) and Section 172 request after a speed camera or police officer recorded a vehicle you keep. Have the letter, your driving licence and any records of who was driving that day ready. This is general information, not legal advice, and the process in Scotland differs slightly.
Step by step
Read the letter carefully
Check the date, time, place, vehicle registration and alleged speed. In England and Wales the notice must usually be sent to the registered keeper within 14 days of the offence, unless you were told at the roadside that you may be prosecuted. Note the reply deadline straight away.
Work out who was driving
Check your diary, fuel receipts or journey records if more than one person uses the vehicle. If the camera image is unclear and you genuinely do not know, you can often ask for photographs, but you must still show you made reasonable efforts to find out.
Name the driver within 28 days
The registered keeper must reply with the driver's details within 28 days, even if you intend to dispute the offence. Failing to name the driver is a separate offence that can carry a heavier penalty than the speeding itself. Many forces let you reply online; keep a copy of whatever you send.
Wait for the outcome letter
After you name the driver, the police decide what happens. For lower-level speeding you may be offered a speed awareness course if you are eligible, or a fixed penalty with points on your licence. More serious cases go to court. Check the current penalties on GOV.UK.
Decide how to respond
Accepting a course or fixed penalty usually ends the matter, as long as you meet the deadline and pay or book in time. If you believe you were not speeding or the details are wrong, you can decline and have the case heard in court. Get advice from a solicitor before choosing court, as costs and penalties can be higher if you lose.
Tell your insurer if needed
Check your car insurance policy on whether you must declare points or convictions, and when. Points are shown on your driving record, which you can view free on GOV.UK. Failing to disclose when required can invalidate your cover.
Ready-to-use checklist
- Details on the notice checked
- Reply deadline noted
- Driver identified with evidence
- Driver named within 28 days
- Copy of your reply kept
- Outcome letter acted on by its deadline
- Insurance disclosure rules checked
- Driving record checked on GOV.UK
Practical tips
- Never ignore a notice or name someone who was not driving: both can lead to serious offences.
- If a company or lease firm is the keeper, it will pass the notice to you as driver, so reply promptly to the new notice.
- Speed awareness courses are usually only offered once in a set period, so do not rely on being offered one again.
Common problems
The notice arrived long after the date of the offence.
In England and Wales it must usually reach the registered keeper within 14 days, but there are exceptions, such as when the keeper details held by DVLA were out of date. You still must name the driver; get legal advice if you think the notice was late.
I sold the car before the date on the notice.
Reply saying you were not the keeper, give the date of sale and the buyer's details if you have them, and include proof such as the DVLA confirmation of sale. Keep a copy.
I cannot tell who was driving from the photo.
Request the photographs and check records to narrow it down. If you still cannot say, explain in writing the steps you took and why you cannot identify the driver, and consider speaking to a solicitor.
This guide gives general information, not personal legal, financial or medical advice. Rules and prices change, so check the current position with the official service before acting.
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