Complete Guide to Fixed Penalty Notices
Summary
A Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) is a criminal penalty for road traffic offences — speeding, red lights, mobile phone use, and driving without insurance. Unlike a civil PCN, an FPN can carry penalty points (3–6 depending on the offence) and a standard £100 fine. You have 28 days to pay, request a hearing, or (if eligible) accept a speed awareness course. If you do nothing, the fine increases by 50% and can lead to court prosecution. Around 2 million FPNs for speeding alone are issued annually in England and Wales (source: Home Office). Electing a court hearing is your right — use it if you have a genuine defence.
What an FPN covers
FPNs apply to criminal road traffic offences: speeding, running red lights, using a mobile phone while driving, driving without insurance, and certain other offences. They are issued by police officers or generated from camera evidence. An FPN is not the same as a council parking PCN — FPNs are criminal penalties with points, PCNs are civil penalties without points.
Your options when you receive an FPN
Choose one:
- ✓Pay the fine (£100) and accept the points (3–6)
- ✓Accept a speed awareness course if offered (no points, ~£85)
- ✓Elect a court hearing — you dispute the offence before a magistrate
- ✓Do nothing — NOT recommended: fine increases by 50%, court prosecution follows
When to elect a court hearing
Elect a hearing if: the NIP was served late (14-day rule), the camera/equipment was faulty, you were not the driver and have evidence, the signage was non-compliant, or you have special reasons (emergency). Do not elect a hearing hoping for leniency — magistrates can impose higher penalties than the FPN.
Key legislation
Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988: governs FPNs, penalty points, and the NIP requirement. Road Traffic Act 1988: defines the underlying offences. Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015: single justice procedure for some FPN-related matters.
FPN volume
Approximately 2 million FPNs for speeding are issued annually in England and Wales. Total FPNs across all road traffic offences exceed 3 million. Source: Home Office criminal justice statistics.
Sources
- Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988
- Road Traffic Act 1988
- Home Office criminal justice statistics
Frequently Asked Questions
- How many points is a speeding FPN?
- Standard speeding FPN: 3 points and £100 fine. Higher speeds or repeat offences may be referred to court where 3–6 points and larger fines apply.
- Can I get a FPN removed from my licence?
- Penalty points remain on your licence for 4 years (11 years for serious offences like drink driving). There is no mechanism to remove them early.
- What happens if I ignore the FPN?
- The fine increases by 50% and the matter is referred to the Magistrates' Court. You may be convicted in absence if you do not attend.
Related
- pcn-served-late
- inadequate-signage-traffic
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