12 points on license

[itsureis]

Over the last 18m, I have been caught speeding 3 times and now I have been caught again. Always on cameras and always just over the speed limit.

I'm a single mum and need my car for dropping the kids with their farther and for other things. I'm currently not working, due to COVID lockdowns but would need a car for work.

I'm not excusing it but I'm now so incredibly worried about losing my licence and the expense of it all.

Had anyone else been in this situation and what was the outcome ?

Maybe you should stop speeding if your car is vital for you to use

you may get a big fine and a ban

I hope you get a driving ban tbh. No need for speeding

Getting caught 4 times in 18 months will not bode well for you at all. You can plead special circumstances but the obvious question is when your car is so vital, why have you risked it by breaking the law multiple times.

You will really benefit from being represented by a solicitor if you can afford one

ask to do a Course ...

@BlueThistles

ask to do a Course ...

I imagine that if this were an option OP would have done it the first time she had a speeding offence. But it didn't do anything to stop her speeding.

OP, to look on the positive side, if you do get a ban, at least you can serve it or a part of it while you don't need the car to get to work. So less disruptive.

How on earth do you manage this?
I drive A LOT on all sorts of roads, motorways and country lanes, and I’ve been caught twice in 14 years and did 2 speed awareness courses to avoid the points.

Being caught speeding 4 times in 18m is insane. You'll probably lose your license for at least a couple of years.

If the first 3 times weren’t enough to make you slow down, what do you think would persuade you?

There’s a reason they ban persistent speeders, you know.

You’ll just need to wait and see, start saving for a big fine, and start thinking about how to rearrange your life if you do get a ban.

Unless you’re David Beckham and can afford Nick Freeman as your lawyer you’ll have to prepare yourself for the consequences of your actions. What journeys do you need to make that would have to be done by car? You’ll need to either persuade someone to help you who can drive you or set up an account with a taxi firm, balancing the cost of this against the money you’ll save not running the car. You’ll be surprised how many journeys you make that you suddenly are able to walk/cycle/use public transport. Don’t expect any sympathy from the court. Prepare for a ban and fine and for gossip as it will be in the local paper etc.

I'm now so incredibly worried about losing my licence and the expense of it all.

Bit late for that don't you think?

Get used to public transport.

You don’t sound competent to drive. I hope you lose your license.

They seem to really be cracking down on the “but I need my license” reason now.
Where they mitigated it previously. I’ve known a few people recently who have lost their job as a result (lorry / van drivers for work) and they aren’t even accepting those as reasons

Honestly I’d go expecting to lose my licence (so don’t drive to court) dress smart, apologise profusely explain your situation and hope they are lenient in the length of ban and the fine.

Oh and in the mean time down load Waze it shouts at you about speed cameras!!

Well, if you don't lose it this time you'll certainly lose it next time.

@BlueThistles

ask to do a Course ...

not everywhere offers the courses in scotland we dont have the option, its straight points

You're looking at a 6 month ban, and a fine.

Good.

I thought you lost your license when you got to 12 points?

Maybe you need to look at your time management if you're constantly having to speed everywhere.

What would you say if someone speeding knocked down and killed your kid/was unable to stop in time and crashed into your car seriously injuring one of your kids, and you found out they'd already been caught speeding 4 times in the past 18 months (and that's the times they've actually been caught, they've probably got away with it many more times)?

It's your own stupid fault. Really, what were you thinking?! And why do you expect any of us to offer reassurance when you clearly don't learn from your own mistakes and seem to be an incompetent driver, since you can't control your own speed?

I have no excuse as speeding is speeding.

I can't even say that I've been unlucky in getting caught as they are all from cameras, moving from one speed limit to another.

Thanks for the serious reality check. Time to hand the keys over.

@Meowza74

Being caught speeding 4 times in 18m is insane. You'll probably lose your license for at least a couple of years.

I'm not a criminal lawyer, but I'd imagine you're not a lawyer of any description judging by your top analysis of likely punishment.

I don’t have any sympathy I’m afraid. Getting caught once, even possibly twice, is a mistake. 4 times in 18 months is just ludicrous

Don’t worry about the expense, you will save on insurance, and selling your car will bring in a bit too.

No sympathy at all, even though you were just over the speed limit.
You were far enough over the limit to trigger the cameras, four times. And I’m betting those weren’t the only places you had your foot on the gas, just the ones where they spotted you.

Be thankful you aren’t having to attend your children’s funerals, or facing an appearance in court for dangerous driving. The more irresponsible drivers we get off the roads the safer the roads are for everyone, drivers, cyclists and pedestrians.

Unfortunately being a single parent etc and needing your car wasn’t enough of a reason to stop you, 4 times in 2 years is totally ridiculous I’ve been driving 14 years and never been caught speeding - mostly because I drive carefully I do actually need my car - live far from schools and am a nurse 40 mins away so no public transport to my hospital. If it is as essential as you say you’d have taken more care,

Also ‘just over’ the speed limit can do a fair amount of damage (or death) if you hit someone or something whilst speeding and that’s not something you want on your conscience!! I’ve looked after kids post RTC one who was left brain damaged and needing 24 hour care by someone speeding who left the scene. That family is shattered by it, parents split siblings carers etc it’s horrific. Leave earlier, I am never late, even if I was I still drive within limits due to 20/30 limits locally no where is so important you need to speed to get there. I see people flying past me on my way to and way home from work 6am/8pm roads are quiet what’s the need to drive at 100 it’s selfishness you think you’re more important than other road users. I hope you learn from this sadly consequences are there for a reason

Judgment aside, I know of a person that was able to claim exceptional circumstances for needing to keep her licence (work, disabled children) but she had to go to court and included evidence of necessity. She retained her licence and had the points reduced, had to do a course and pay a fine.

Not excusing your behaviour obviously.