UKI got a Notice of Intended Prosecution more than 14 days after the offence. Is it valid?
No, a Notice of Intended Prosecution (NIP) is generally invalid if served more than 14 days after the offence, unless a statutory exception applies.
What the Law Says
The legal requirement for timely service of a Notice of Intended Prosecution (NIP) is set out in the Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988.
Under UK law, if you are alleged to have committed certain road traffic offences — such as speeding or running a red light — the police must send you a Notice of Intended Prosecution (NIP) before they can prosecute you. This notice informs you that you may face court proceedings.
Section 1 of the Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988 sets the strict time limit: the NIP must be served on the registered keeper of the vehicle 'within fourteen days' of the alleged offence — counting the day of the offence as day zero. If it arrives later, the prosecution may be dismissed unless an exception applies.
The law allows limited exceptions — for example, if the vehicle was stolen at the time of the offence, or if the registered keeper’s address could not reasonably be ascertained despite diligent efforts by the police. But these are narrow and require evidence.
Statutory TextA person shall not be convicted of an offence under section 2 or 3 of the Road Traffic Act 1988… unless he has been given… a notice of intended prosecution… within fourteen days of the commission of the offence.
— Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988, s. 1 — Requirement of notice of intended prosecution
Sources
Not legal advice. This article is general information based on publicly available sources, written for educational purposes. Laws change and individual situations vary. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before acting on anything you read here. Last reviewed: 2026-06-08.