Traffic fines: what UK drivers pay and what follows

What a fine is called, who sends it, how long you have and where points come into it.

A traffic fine in the UK is not one thing. A speeding case can end in a fixed penalty notice with points, in a course instead, or in court. A bus lane or a moving traffic breach usually arrives as a penalty charge notice from a council or Transport for London, with its own deadlines. The rules and the amounts also differ between England, London, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

The posts in this topic explain each route from the pages of GOV.UK, legislation.gov.uk, transport authorities and police guidance, with the date they were read. They answer the questions that come up after a notice arrives: what the amount is, whether it halves if it is paid early, how many days run from which date, and whether penalty points are involved. They do not tell you how to contest a notice, and they are a summary, not legal advice.

Start with what a speed camera fine costs for the fixed penalty, the court route and the points. If you are offered an alternative, how a speed awareness course is offered explains the speed bands and conditions. For civil charges, read bus lane fines and whether points follow.