UKI was caught speeding by a camera. What's the process?
If caught speeding by a camera in the UK, you’ll receive a Notice of Intended Prosecution (NIP) within 14 days, followed by a Section 172 requirement to identify the driver — failure to respond can lead to prosecution.
What the Law Says
The legal process for speeding detected by camera is governed by the Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988. It sets strict time limits and obligations for both authorities and drivers.
When a speed camera captures an offence, the police must send a Notice of Intended Prosecution (NIP) to the registered vehicle keeper within 14 days of the offence — unless the driver was spoken to at the time. This is a legal requirement to ensure fairness and prompt awareness.
Under Section 172 of the same Act (not s. 1 as referenced, but central to this process), the registered keeper must identify who was driving at the time — even if it was themselves. You have 28 days from the date of the S172 notice to respond. Failing to do so is a separate offence, punishable by 6 penalty points and a fine.
Section 1 of the Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988 defines what constitutes a 'road traffic offence' and confirms that offences detected by automatic devices (like speed cameras) are legally valid — provided prescribed procedures are followed.
Statutory Textc. 53
— Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988, s. 1 — Preliminary
What to Do
Check your post for a Notice of Intended Prosecution (NIP) within 14 days of the alleged offence.
Complete and return the Section 172 form within 28 days — name the driver truthfully.
If you accept the offence, consider paying the fixed penalty (£100 + 3 points) to avoid court.
If you dispute it, seek legal advice before responding — e.g., if the camera wasn’t signed, or you weren’t driving.
Keep copies of all correspondence and note all deadlines — missing them risks harsher penalties.
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.