24 in a 20 zone - charged with criminal offence, Single Procedure Notice

[Absolutenonsense]

I was caught on a speed camera driving 24mph in a 20mph zone and paid the necessary fine in good time, also filling out the form with details of my driver number (from my license), with phone number etc etc. All filled in correctly, so I thought.

I have received in the post a Single Justice Procedure notice, saying that because I didn’t enclose a copy of my driver’s license, they have refunded my fine, and withdrawn the offer of the fixed penalty, so I have received a single justice procedure notice stating that I have been charged with a criminal offence etc in really quite horrible terms. It was quite upsetting to receive but that’s by the by.

Has anyone else experienced this? Surely someone could just have picked up the phone and said ‘you didn’t include a copy of the license’? I didn’t actually understand that I was supposed to.

I need to fill in all kinds of details about my income and assets etc. I feel sick about it. Has this happened to anyone else and what was the outcome?

If there’s a telephone number on the letter, ring it. My friend’s mum was so incensed by being sent a NIP for doing 34 in a 30 she opted for court, convinced she could make the case that it was unreasonable to prosecute an otherwise law-abiding citizen for such a minor offence. Not until she got the court summons did it sink in how serious it was. She rang the relevant unit in the police saying she realised she’d been really silly and they allowed her to take the 3 points and a fine instead of court.

I have previously filled a NIP form for someone twice with different authorities and has never sent a copy of driving licence. It is just the driving licence details. Could you just call and say that you were not aware that a copy was required. I have found people usually quite helpful if you call them.

I agree, try calling or emailing.
Did you know you can go online and take of the penalty notice and fine that way? Less chance of error.

Thanks so much for replying everyone! I appreciate it. I called the court as that was the number I had. They’ve given me the number for the Prosecutor’, which is the Met Police from memory (form not in front of me) and I’ll call them on Tuesday. The utterly mad thing is that I’ve already paid the blasted fine and provided my driver number and all contact details and generally done everything I thought I was supposed to do! It’s just nuts. Anyway, I’ll call them and try to make it go away. If it doesn’t I will plead guilty to the speeding (which I’ve already admitted and have never tried to deny!) and argue in mitigation that I shouldn’t have to pay a fine higher than the original PCN. What a waste of public money and my time. And bloody stressful too

ill do that next time. Well, hopefully there won’t be a next time! Tempted to just dump the car and not drive any more unless absolutely necessary

You will need to complete the single justice procedure and send to the magistrates.
You need to make sure that you do it within 21 days (and the date is on the letter in the top right)
You will have space within the SJP to add any mitigation you wish for the magistrates to consider this is your opportunity to put forward that you miss understood the process etc.
I have seen it often be the case that the magistrate will levy the £100 fine 3 points and around £40 court fees.
They look scarier than they are.

This is only since approximately 6th January this year - you can now pay online and submit DL details at the same time but if you choose over the phone or post payment you'll need to complete the form still.