Motoring offence solicitors

Careless driving

Careless driving is driving without consideration for other road users. It includes failing to look properly, allowing attention to be diverted from the road, braking suddenly, tailgating, overtaking on the inside and pulling out in front of another driver.

The penalties for careless driving can be up to 9 penalty points, a fine of up to £5,000 or disqualification from driving.

If you have been charged with careless driving, please contact our arrest and prosecution solicitors today. We will carefully examine the evidence and put forward a strong defence on your behalf.

Dangerous driving and death by dangerous driving

Dangerous driving is a very serious offence, and a conviction leads to a criminal record. It is driving behaviour that endangers the driver and other people.

Dangerous driving can be speeding, racing other vehicles, ignoring road signs and traffic lights, dangerous overtaking, driving while unfit to do so (due to alcohol, drugs, tiredness, illness or injury), driving a vehicle that is not road worthy, and driving while distracted.

The penalty can be prison, a driving ban and an unlimited fine. If death is caused by dangerous driving, the consequence could be life imprisonment.

If you are accused of dangerous driving, please contact us immediately.

Drink driving

Being convicted of drink driving has enormous consequences. As well as a driving ban of up to 3 years, there can be an unlimited fine and imprisonment. If death is caused by drink driving, the penalty could be life imprisonment.

A drink driving conviction can potentially be life changing. It is a criminal offence which will result in a criminal record. 

Our motoring offence solicitors have extensive experience defending drink driving cases, so please contact us about legal representation.

Driving while disqualified

Driving while disqualified can result in further disqualification, community service, a fine, 6 penalty points or even a 6-month prison sentence.

Our driving offence solicitors have years of experience in minimising penalties for people who have been accused of driving while disqualified. Seeking advice from a specialist legal team reduces the chance of a prison sentence.

Driving while using a mobile phone, sat nav or other device

Most people know it is illegal to use a hand-held mobile phone while driving. However, many people do not realise the same applies to all other devices, including sat navs.

It is also illegal to use a device when a car is stationary in a traffic jam or at lights, even if the car engine turns off. There are some exceptions (for example, if you need to call 999 or 112 in an emergency).

You can get a fine of up to £1,000 for driving a car while using a device, as well as penalty points on your licence. You may also be banned from driving. If you are a professional driver, your professional licence may be suspended, even if the offence happened in your own car. 

If you have been stopped by the police for driving while using a device, please seek legal advice immediately. 

Driving without insurance

The police can give an instant £300 fine and 6 points for driving an uninsured vehicle. They may also be able to seize and destroy the vehicle.

If the case escalates to court, the fine can be unlimited and the judge may issue a driving disqualification. 

When the owner of a vehicle allows someone else to drive their vehicle without being covered by insurance this can also result in significant penalties.

A driving offence solicitor can minimise the consequences and support you through an appeal process.

Drug driving

Drug driving is a criminal offence resulting in a criminal record. It is illegal to drive if you have specific levels of illegal drugs in your blood, even if your driving is not affected.

It is also illegal to drive if you are taking legal drugs (including over-the-counter medicines) if they affect your ability to drive.

If you have been charged with drug driving, please contact us now. The sooner we intervene, the more likely it is that you will receive an acquittal.

Failure to provide a specimen

If the police suspect you have been driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, they are legally entitled to ask you for a breath, blood or urine specimen. Refusing to provide a specimen without a sound medical reason is a criminal offence resulting in a criminal record. 

The penalties for not providing a specimen vary significantly, so it is very important to seek legal advice quickly. Refusing to provide a sample can lead to a charge of drink driving or drug driving, so legal representation is vital. 

Failure to notify the DVLA of a change of vehicle ownership

If you sell your vehicle or it is scrapped, then by law you must inform the DVLA of change of ownership. Failure to do so can result in a fine or even prosecution.

However, you might have found yourself in the situation where you have informed the DVLA, but they have not recorded the information. In our experience, this does happen! Please contact our legal team for advice. 

Failure to stop after an accident

The maximum penalties for failing to stop after an accident can be 10 penalty points, a £5,000 fine, or 6 months imprisonment. A conviction also means a criminal record. Penalties vary widely depending on any mitigating circumstances and the severity of the case. 

If you have been accused of leaving the scene of an accident or not remaining long enough, please talk to our legal team at QualitySolicitors for reliable advice. 

Road rage incidents

Road rage is a term used for aggressive behaviour from vehicle drivers. While it is not a road traffic offence in itself, it can lead to careless or dangerous driving, damage to property, and abusive behaviour, all of which can have severe penalties.

If you are charged as a result of road rage, our motoring offence solicitors can challenge the evidence and achieve the best possible outcome for you.

Speeding offences

The majority of motorists just accept it when they are accused of a speeding offence. However, speeding allegations can be challenged. Although speeding is not perceived as serious, it can lead to losing your licence or a charge for dangerous driving. 

If you have been accused of speeding but believe you were not driving over the speed limit, please talk to our solicitors. We can also advise you if you think the alleged speed is incorrect.

Appealing against a totting up driving ban

If you have accumulated 12 points on your licence within 3 years you face a driving ban. You can appeal a driving ban at the Magistrate’s Court if you can prove you would suffer ‘exceptional hardship’, such as losing your job, as a result.

Our specialist motoring offence solicitors have successfully helped many clients facing driving bans, so please discuss your case with us.

Applying to lift a driving disqualification early

You may be eligible to apply to the Magistrate’s Court to have a driving ban removed early if you have:

Completed at least 2 years of the driving ban and half the disqualification time.

Received a job offer on the condition that you can drive.

Needs which mean driving is necessary, such as a disability.

Conducted yourself well during disqualification.

Whether you can apply to have a disqualification lifted early also depends on the driving offence originally committed. 

At QualitySolicitors our driving offence solicitors have a track record of success in helping clients remove driving disqualifications early, so please get in touch.

Driving offence appeals

If you believe you have received an unfair penalty or sentence for a driving offence, you can appeal to the Crown Court.

Our motoring offence lawyers have years of experience in successfully appealing against convictions. Contact our legal team to find out how we can represent you.