speeding offence - best option to take???

flopsy1973

Hi
My son is 21 and recently got caught speeding at 68 in a 40 on a bypass. At the time of offence he had not been driving 2 years. We have been to see a solicitor and his view was that he will get 6 points which will mean his licence will be revoked. The solicitor seemed to think this would be a better course to go down as possibly he could be disqualified, but the solicitor could put arguments up hopefully asking for leniancy here. so what would be better for my son to take when it appears in court this week. Taking the 6 points and licence revoked or a disqualification, in both cases does the whole test have to be taken again, and what do the insurance companies look less favourbly on ??? what have others done in these circumstances thanks for your help

DUTR

flopsy1973 wrote: »

Hi
My son is 21 and recently got caught speeding at 68 in a 40 on a bypass. At the time of offence he had not been driving 2 years. We have been to see a solicitor and his view was that he will get 6 points which will mean his licence will be revoked. The solicitor seemed to think this would be a better course to go down as possibly he could be disqualified, but the solicitor could put arguments up hopefully asking for leniancy here. so what would be better for my son to take when it appears in court this week. Taking the 6 points and licence revoked or a disqualification, in both cases does the whole test have to be taken again, and what do the insurance companies look less favourbly on ??? what have others done in these circumstances thanks for your help

That's assuming everybody has been in that circumstance, the velocity over the stated speed limit is not small, I think he should expect the worst and hope for the best, his insurance is probably high anyway. I don't know the difference between being revoked and being banned, unless the revoke means he has to retake his test whereas the ban doesn't .

AdrianC

DUTR wrote: »

I don't know the difference between being revoked and being banned, unless the revoke means he has to retake his test whereas the ban doesn't .

Exactly that.

Both, you lose your licence and can't drive for the interim.
Ban - after 28 days or whatever, you get it back.
Revoke - you have to resit test.

Both will require notifying to insurers for five years.

Either way, he's going to be walking for a while, and he's going to be bending double at renewal o'clock.

TonyMMM

He has no choice whether he gets points or a disqualification, that is for the court to decide.

68 in a 40 is just about in the range where a ban is possible, but not very likely, and courts are actively discouraged from giving out a ban just to avoid the consequences of the young drivers legislation.

His best option is to attend court, smartly dressed and showing some remorse for his offence, explain that he learnt a lesson and politely ask that the court considers an award of 4 or 5 points. In my experience this is better coming from him and more likely to succeed rather than employing a solicitor (save the money for the inevitable fine).

If he does get 6 points he can drive until notified by DVLA that his licence has been revoked, and yes he will have to take the whole test again (theory and practical), but with a bit of forward thinking , he could be back on the road within a few weeks.

Happychappy

Attend court, put his hands up to it and plead the point that he's a fantastically skilled driver, albeit not very hot on observations or maths in that he knows what 40 looks like, and try to convince the bench he isn't some young arrogant !!!!, and hope the magistrate gives him 6 points, takes his licence and recommends a stout pair of shoes for him so others can speed safely.

Love the make up remorse recommendation, tell the bench he is really really sorry for being caught, and will try really hard not to get caught again, and is remorseful that he got caught ! : )

scotsbob

I think TonyMMM has got it spot on. If it was my son that is exactly what I would advise.

I also agree that coming from your son will have a far more favourable impression.