If you've driven on London's roads, you may be familiar with speeding fines. London is one of the most congested cities in Europe, and drivers are often caught driving too fast. As a PCO car driver, you should be aware of the fines and penalties you face if you get caught speeding. These penalties can be very costly, so it is worth knowing how to reduce them and avoid getting hit with a large fine.
Before getting a PCO car rental for Uber in London, you must know some essential information about traffic rules and speed limitations in the city to not get into any trouble with the law. Continue reading to learn everything you need to know about reducing and avoiding speeding fines in London:
How Speeding Fines Work
In the UK, drivers are responsible for knowing the speed limit of the road they are travelling on. If you exceed the speed limit, you will be fined. If you're caught by the police or on a camera while driving, you can expect the following situations:
- You might get away with a verbal warning if there were no vehicles behind you or in front of you when you exceeded the speed limit by less than 10mph
- You may receive a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) for your first offence of exceeding the speed limit by more than 10mph
- You may be prosecuted
How Much Will You Pay?
Depending on how fast you were going and how the police interpreted the situation, you can expect a minimum of £100 for your fine if your FPN is issued. If you go over the speed limit a second time, you can be fined up to £1000, and if you are convicted in court, you can expect to pay even more.
Speeding tickets in London are categorised by three types of infringements. Band A is the lowest tier and offers the least punishment but it can still be very costly. The second and third tiers are made up of higher speed and more serious offences. Your offence may also push you to band D, E, or F depending on your circumstances and criminal record. However, motorway fines are often capped at a certain sum, so check your ticket carefully before paying out too much to avoid being scammed.
If You're Caught on Camera
If a PCO car driver is caught speeding on a camera, there is a chance they will receive a ‘notice of intended prosecution' within 14 days. This means the driver must pay for their ticket or enter a legal dispute. The driver will have 28 days from the date on the notice to either accept the fine, contest it in court, or appeal the decision entirely if they think it is unfair.
If You're Caught By An Officer
If a police officer pulls you over, one of the following scenarios will occur:
- The police may give a verbal warning if it was a minor infringement and the traffic conditions at the time were not dangerous
- They may give you an FPN in case of speeding more than 10 mph over the limit
- They may give you a court summon or even arrest you, depending on the severity of your offence
How to Avoid Getting a Speeding Ticket
Learn About the Laws
If you're a new PCO car driver, make sure you understand the road rules before you get behind the wheel. Familiarise yourself with the speeding laws and any restrictions specific to the area you will be driving in, so you don't accidentally violate any rules.
Manage Your Time
Driving a passenger to their destination on time is important, but it's just as important not to rush and drive too fast or too slow. Plan your trip and make sure you allow yourself enough time to reach your destination safely. Use a map to plan your route to account for traffic and weather conditions along the way.
Keep an Eye on the Speedometer
Check your speedometer every time you start your car to ensure it's accurate. Many drivers set the speedometer incorrectly, causing them to unintentionally break the speed limit without knowing it.
Use Cruise Control
The more you let your cruise control handle your speed, the less likely you are to get a speeding ticket. Keep your hands on the wheel and your eyes on the road in front of you, but allow your car to speed up automatically or slow down depending on traffic conditions.
If you're looking for an affordable PCO car hire service in London, get in touch with G&M Direct Hire. They're a leading PCO car rental company based in London and have a wide range of fuel-powered PCO cars and PCO electric cars available.
Contact them for more information!
