Driving Offences on a Motorway

Speeding is one of the most common driving offences committed on UK motorways. Speeding on a motorway can actually come with higher penalties than speeding on other public roads.

Motorway Driving in the UK

Motorway driving in the UK is relatively safe but can be daunting, especially for New Drivers. Simple mistakes on a motorway can have very serious consequences and this is the reason why many people take motorway driving lessons. Driving offences on a motorway can occur no matter how experienced the driver. The increased driving speeds on motorways, weather conditions and lack of concentration can lead to serious traffic accidents. It’s no surprise that driving offences such as speeding on a motorway can result in higher penalties and fines.

Speeding on a Motorway

Motorway Speeding Fines are higher due to the serious consequences that can result from speeding on a motorway. The national speed limit on a UK motorway is 70mph but this is exceeded by many drivers on a regular basis. Estimates show that over half the cars driven on a motorway are driven over the legal speed limit. The police do try to resolve most speeding offences with a Fixed Penalty Notice but when speeds are excessive a court appearance may be the result. In most cases the higher the speed the more likely an instant ban will be applicable.

Speeding on a Motorway Penalties and Fines

Fines for speeding on a motorway can be as much as £2,500. Instant Disqualifications for speeding can last between 7 days and 56 days. Extreme cases can result in bans of 120 days although an instant speeding disqualification is at the judge’s discretion. Penalty points for speeding are the usual three to six points and a ban if 12 points have been reached within a three year period. The circumstances of the offence, mitigating circumstances, the driver’s history and the severity of the offence will all be taken into account.

Discretion Available with Speeding Offences

The court does have an amount of discretion available when it comes to applying an instant speeding ban. A number of factors will be taken into account including existing penalty points, driver history, the actual speed limit and the alleged speed limit. When the alleged speed is more than 45% over the actual speed limit there is a much greater chance of a disqualification. A solicitor will be able to assess the specific case and give a likely outcome depending on the circumstances.

Other Common Motorway Driving Offences

There are a number of motorway driving offences that can lead to fixed penalties, usually three points on a licence, these will include:

• Reversing on a motorway
• Driving on the hard shoulder of a motorway
• Driving on a motorway with a provisional driving licence
• Driving on the central reservation or verge of a motorway
• A prohibited vehicle that is driving on the motorway offside lane
• Stopping on the hard shoulder of a motorway can be a prosecutable offence

Stopping or Driving on the Motorway Central Reservation

It is an offence to either stop or drive on the central reservation or verge on a motorway. The central reservation is categorised as any part of the motorway that is not the actual carriageway or the hard shoulder. Committing this offence can lead to a fine of up to £2500 and three penalty points on a licence. There may be certain circumstances why the driver had to stop on the central reservation that can be taken into account. These can include a sudden illness, a breakdown or an accident.

For beginners one of the best ways to obtain experience of motorway driving is to have an additional motorway driving lesson. Some driving schools will actually include motorway driving as part of the driving course. Motorways driving lessons are an excellent way for new drivers to overcome motorway driving fears, learn the rules of the motorway and learn about motorway driving offences. Pass Plus driving courses available through driving schools will usually have motorway driving lessons included as part of the learning experience.