Road Traffic Offence
Asher & Tomar solicitors
The following information pertains to Traffic Offences and codes which will appear on a drivers license. Although we have indicated the number of penalty points a driver will expect to receive for committing the offence as well as any disqualification or custodial sentence, we have not indicated the level of fine. There is (in most instances) a basic level of fine structured against most offences, but it must be recognised that it may be the case (if attending court) that mitigation may see the level of fine (possibly) reduced. Equally so, the courts have the power to impose larger fines subject to the individuals actions/responses whilst committing the offence.
Below are the headings under which each section of Offences are located, by clicking on any of these will take you directly to that section on this page.
| Codes and Offences | Penalty Points |
May Imprison |
Obligatory Disqualification |
May Disqualify |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accident Offences | ||||
| AC10 Failing to stop after an accident | 5 – 10 | Yes | Yes | |
| AC20 Failing to give particulars or to report an accident within 24 hours | 5 – 10 | Yes | Yes | |
| AC30 Undefined accident offences | 4 – 9 | |||
| Disqualified Driver | ||||
| BA10 Driving while disqualified by order of court | 6 | Yes | Yes | |
| BA30 Attempting to drive while disqualified by order of court (no longer applied) | 6 | Yes | ||
| Careless Driving | ||||
| CD10 Driving without due care and attention | 3 – 9 | Yes | ||
| CD20 Driving without reasonable consideration for other road users | 3 – 9 | Yes | ||
| CD30 Driving without due care and attention or without reasonable consideration | 3 – 9 | Yes | ||
| CD40 Causing death through careless driving when unfit through drink** | 3 – 11 | Yes | Yes | |
| CD50 Causing death through careless driving when unfit through drugs** | 3 – 11 | Yes | Yes | |
| CD60 Causing death by careless driving with alcohol level above the limit** | 3 – 11 | Yes | Yes | |
| CD70 Causing death by careless driving then failing to supply a specimen for analysis** | 3 – 11 | Yes | Yes | |
| ** not less than two years disqualification or, if similar offence within 10 years, then three years disqualification | ||||
| Codes and Offences | Penalty Points |
May Imprison |
Obligatory Disqualification |
May Disqualify |
| Construction and Use Offences | ||||
| CU10 Using a vehicle with defective brakes | 3 | Yes | ||
| CU20 Causing or likely to cause danger by use of unsuitable vehicle or using a vehicle with parts or accessories (excluding brakes, steering or tyres) in a dangerous condition | 3 | ** | Yes | |
| CU30 Using a vehicle with defective tyre(s) | 3 | Yes | ||
| CU40 Using a vehicle with defective steering | 3 | Yes | ||
| CU50 Causing or likely to cause danger by reason of load or passengers | 3 | Yes | ||
| CU60 Unidentified C&U offence (no longer used) | 3 | Yes | ||
| CU80 Breach of requirements as to control of vehicle, mobile phones etc | 3 | Yes | ||
| ** must disqualify if offence is committed within three years of previous conviction of same offence. | ||||
| Reckless/Dangerous Driving | ||||
| DD40 Dangerous driving (includes reckless driving) | 3 – 11 | Yes | Yes | minimum 1 year |
| DD60 Manslaughter or culpable homicide while driving a vehicle | 3 – 11 | Yes | Yes | at least 2 years |
| DD80 Causing death by dangerous driving (includes reckless driving) | 3 – 11 | Yes | Yes | at least 2 years |
| Drink or Drugs | ||||
| DR10 Driving or attempting to drive with alcohol level above limit** | 3 – 11 | Yes | Yes | |
| DR20 Driving or attempting to drive while unfit through drink** | 3 – 11 | Yes | Yes | |
| DR30 Driving or attempting to drive then failing to supply a specimen for analysis** | 3 – 11 | Yes | Yes | |
| DR40 In charge of a vehicle while alcohol level above limit | 10 | Yes | Yes | |
| DR50 In charge of a vehicle while unfit through drink | 10 | Yes | Yes | |
| DR60 Failure to provide a specimen for analysis in circumstances other than driving or attempting to drive | 10 | Yes | Yes | |
| DR70 Failing to provide a specimen for roadside breath test | 4 | Yes | ||
| DR80 Driving or attempting to drive when unfit through drugs** | 3 – 11 | Yes | Yes | |
| DR90 In charge of a vehicle when unfit through drugs | 10 | Yes | Yes | |
| ** not less than one year disqualification or, if similar offence within 10 years, then three years disqualification | ||||
| Codes and Offences | Penalty Points |
May Imprison |
Obligatory Disqualification |
May Disqualify |
| Insurance Offences | ||||
| IN10 Using a vehicle uninsured against third party risks | 6 – 8 | Yes | ||
| Licence Offences | ||||
| LC20 Driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence | 3 – 6 | Yes | ||
| LC30 Driving after making a false declaration about fitness when applying for a licence | 3 – 6 | Yes | ||
| LC40 Driving a vehicle having failed to notify a disability | 3 – 6 | Yes | ||
| LC50 Driving after a licence has been revoked or refused on medical grounds | 3 – 6 | Yes | ||
| Miscellaneous Offences | ||||
| MS10 Leaving a vehicle in a dangerous position | 3 | Yes | ||
| MS20 Unlawful pillion riding | 3 | Yes | ||
| MS30 Play street offences | 2 | |||
| MS40 Driving with uncorrected defective eyesight or refusing to submit to a test of eyesight | 3 | Yes | ||
| MS50 Motor racing on the highway | 3 – 11 | Yes | ||
| MS60 Offences not covered by other codes | As appropriate | |||
| MS70 Driving with uncorrected defective eyesight | 3 | Yes | ||
| MS80 Refusing to submit to an eyesight test | 3 | Yes | ||
| MS90 Failure to give information on identity of driver, etc | 6 | Yes | ||
| Motorway Offences | ||||
| MW10 Contravention of special roads regulations (excl. speed limits) | 3 | Yes** | ||
| ** except stopping on hard shoulder in emergency | ||||
| Pedestrian Offences | ||||
| PC10 Undefined contravention of pedestrian crossing regulations | 3 | Yes | ||
| PC20 Contravention of pedestrian crossing regulations with moving vehicle | 3 | Yes | ||
| PC30 Contravention of pedestrian crossing regulations with stationary vehicle | 3 | Yes | ||
| Codes and Offences | Penalty Points |
May Imprison |
Obligatory Disqualification |
May Disqualify |
| Provisional Licence Offences | ||||
| PL 10 Driving without ‘L’ plates | 3 – 6 | Yes | ||
| PL20 Not accompanied by a qualified person | 3 – 6 | Yes | ||
| PL30 Carrying a person not qualified | 3 – 6 | Yes | ||
| PL40 Drawing an unauthorised trailer | 3 – 6 | Yes | ||
| PL50 Undefined failure to comply with conditions of a provisional licence | 3 – 6 | Yes | ||
| Speed Limits | ||||
| SP10 Exceeding goods vehicle speed limits | 3 – 6 | Yes** | ||
| SP20 Exceeding speed limit for type of vehicle (excluding goods or passenger vehicles) | 3 – 6 | Yes** | ||
| SP30 Exceeding statutory speed limit on a public road | 3 – 6 | Yes** | ||
| SP40 Exceeding passenger vehicle speed limit | 3 – 6 | Yes** | ||
| SP50 Exceeding speed limit on a motorway | 3 – 6 | Yes** | ||
| SP60 Undefined speed limit offence | 3 – 6 | Yes** | ||
| ** likelihood of disqualification where speed in excess of 30mph over the limit | ||||
| Traffic Directions and Signs | ||||
| TS10 Failing to comply with traffic light signals | 3 | |||
| TS20 Failing to comply with double white lines | 3 | |||
| TS30 Failing to comply with a STOP sign | 3 | Yes | ||
| TS40 Failing to comply with direction of a constable or traffic warden | 3 | Yes | ||
| TS50 Failing to comply with a traffic sign (excluding STOP signs, traffic lights or double white lines) | 3 | Yes | ||
| TS60 Failing to comply with a school crossing patrol | 3 | Yes | ||
| TS70 Undefined failure to comply with a traffic direction or sign | 3 | Yes | ||
| Theft or Unauthorised Taking | ||||
| UT50 Aggravated taking or attempting to take a vehicle | 3 – 11 | Yes | Yes | |