DRIVERS will be aware that straying over the speed limit may lead to financial penalties, or worse.
But will you be fined if you only marginally go over it? This is all you need to know.
You can be fined for travelling just marginally over the speed limit
Can I be fined for going 1mph over the limit?
Drivers can receive a fine if travelling 1mph over the speed limit.
Fines and consequences are determined upon what Band the circumstances equate to – taking into account the speed limit, how much you were over it or other factors such as if there is a school nearby.
Drivers are put into Band A if they exceeded the speed limit by between 1 and 9mph – and can be issued a fixed penalty notice, three penalty points, and a fine.
However, if you own a sat nav, dash cam or speed camera detector that features its own built-in speedo, you’ll notice that it’s different to your car.
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That’s because they use GPS whereas car dials are calibrated to slightly “under-read” – and that’s why cops introduced a tolerance level.
Often when you’re going at 70mph, you’re actually only doing around 68mph.
So if you nudge to 71mph on your speedometer you’re usually still within legal limits, and won’t be picked up by a speed camera.
It doesn’t mean you should drive like this as standard, as it’s always safer to drive within limits.
But in most cases, if you creep over in error you won’t be slapped with a fine.
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How much is a speeding ticket fine?
The minimum penalty for a speeding fine is £100 – but punishments are dependent on what speeding category you are put in.
Band A penalties are for exceeding the speed limit by smaller amounts and could earn you a penalty between 25 per cent and 75 per cent of your weekly income.
Band B penalties – when motorists are between 11 and 20mph over the speed limit – could cost you between 75 per cent and 125 per cent of your weekly income, as well as points on your license or a driving ban.
Band C penalties could see speeding drivers slapped with six points and a fine between 125% and 175% of your weekly income, for travelling 21mph or more over the legal limit.
Other factors can push you into even higher bands, which in turn have higher penalties.
Will I have to do a speed awareness course if I am caught speeding?
Drivers who have committed their first speeding offence or haven’t been received a speeding penalty in the last three years could be eligible for a speed awareness course.
This allows motorists to avoid a hefty fine and getting points on their licence.
Only certain speeding breaches qualify for this option, so not everyone is offered it.
The courses are designed to educate road users on the dangers and potential consequences of speeding to encourage them not to do it again.
Drivers can only attend a speed awareness course once every three years.