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Road traffic offences.

Dangerous and careless driving, the causing death and serious injury offences, drink and drug driving, insurance, licences, failing to stop and the everyday Road Traffic Act 1988 offences.

29 offences · points to prove, mode of trial and maximum sentence

Quick reference

OffenceLegislationMode of trialMaximum penalty
Careless and inconsiderate cyclingRoad Traffic Act 1988, s.29Summary onlyFine of up to £1,000 (level 3)
Careless and inconsiderate drivingRoad Traffic Act 1988, s.3Summary onlyUnlimited fine (level 5); discretionary disqualification, otherwise 3 to 9 penalty points
Causing death by careless driving when under the influence of drink or drugsRoad Traffic Act 1988, s.3AIndictable onlyLife imprisonment and/or a fine
Causing death by careless or inconsiderate drivingRoad Traffic Act 1988, s.2BEither way5 years' imprisonment and/or a fine (on indictment); 12 months' imprisonment and/or a fine (summarily)
Causing death by dangerous drivingRoad Traffic Act 1988, s.1Indictable onlyLife imprisonment
Causing death by driving: unlicensed or uninsured driversRoad Traffic Act 1988, s.3ZBEither way2 years' imprisonment and/or a fine (on indictment); 12 months' imprisonment and/or a fine (summarily)
Causing serious injury by careless or inconsiderate drivingRoad Traffic Act 1988, s.2CEither way2 years' imprisonment and/or a fine (on indictment); 12 months' imprisonment and/or a fine (summarily)
Causing serious injury by dangerous drivingRoad Traffic Act 1988, s.1AEither way5 years' imprisonment and/or a fine (on indictment); 12 months' imprisonment and/or a fine (summarily)
Dangerous cyclingRoad Traffic Act 1988, s.28Summary onlyFine of up to £2,500 (level 4)
Dangerous drivingRoad Traffic Act 1988, s.2Either way2 years' imprisonment and/or a fine (on indictment); 12 months' imprisonment and/or a fine (summarily); obligatory disqualification (minimum 12 months) until an extended driving test is passed
Driving or in charge when unfit through drink or drugsRoad Traffic Act 1988, s.4Summary onlys.4(1) driving or attempting to drive: 6 months' imprisonment and/or an unlimited fine; obligatory disqualification (minimum 12 months). s.4(2) in charge: 3 months' imprisonment and/or a fine of up to £2,500 (level 4); discretionary disqualification, otherwise 10 penalty points
Driving otherwise than in accordance with a licenceRoad Traffic Act 1988, s.87(1)Summary onlyFine of up to £1,000 (level 3); 3 to 6 penalty points and discretionary disqualification where the driving could not have been in accordance with any licence that could have been granted to the driver
Driving while disqualifiedRoad Traffic Act 1988, s.103(1)(b)Summary only6 months' imprisonment and/or an unlimited fine; discretionary disqualification, otherwise 6 penalty points
Driving with a specified controlled drug above the limitRoad Traffic Act 1988, s.5ASummary onlyDriving or attempting to drive: 6 months' imprisonment and/or an unlimited fine; obligatory disqualification (minimum 12 months). In charge: 3 months' imprisonment and/or a fine of up to £2,500 (level 4); discretionary disqualification, otherwise 10 penalty points
Driving with excess alcoholRoad Traffic Act 1988, s.5(1)(a)Summary only6 months' imprisonment and/or an unlimited fine; obligatory disqualification (minimum 12 months)
Failing to comply with a traffic signRoad Traffic Act 1988, s.36Summary onlyFine of up to £1,000 (level 3)
Failing to comply with directions of a constable or traffic officerRoad Traffic Act 1988, s.35Summary onlyFine of up to £1,000 (level 3)
Failing to give information about the driverRoad Traffic Act 1988, s.172Summary onlyFine of up to £1,000 (level 3)
Failing to provide a specimen for analysisRoad Traffic Act 1988, s.7(6)Summary onlyWhere the specimen was to find out the person's condition when driving or attempting to drive: 6 months' imprisonment and/or an unlimited fine; obligatory disqualification (minimum 12 months). Any other case (e.g. in charge): 3 months' imprisonment and/or a fine of up to £2,500 (level 4); discretionary disqualification, otherwise 10 penalty points
Failing to stop a vehicle when required under s.59Police Reform Act 2002, s.59Summary onlyA fine not exceeding level 3 (£1,000)
Failing to stop or report after an accidentRoad Traffic Act 1988, s.170Summary only6 months' imprisonment and/or an unlimited fine; discretionary disqualification, otherwise 5 to 10 penalty points
Failing to stop when required by a constableRoad Traffic Act 1988, s.163Summary onlyUnlimited fine (level 5) for the driver of a mechanically propelled vehicle; fine of up to £1,000 (level 3) for a cyclist. No endorsement or disqualification
In charge of a vehicle with excess alcoholRoad Traffic Act 1988, s.5(1)(b)Summary only3 months' imprisonment and/or a fine of up to £2,500 (level 4); discretionary disqualification, otherwise 10 penalty points
Not wearing a seat beltRoad Traffic Act 1988, s.14Summary onlyFine of up to £500 (level 2)
Using a hand-held mobile phone while drivingRoad Traffic Act 1988, s.41DSummary onlyFine of up to £1,000 (level 3), or £2,500 (level 4) for a goods vehicle or a vehicle adapted to carry more than eight passengers; discretionary disqualification, otherwise 6 penalty points
Using a motor vehicle without insuranceRoad Traffic Act 1988, s.143Summary onlyUnlimited fine (level 5); discretionary disqualification, otherwise 6 to 8 penalty points
Using a vehicle in a dangerous conditionRoad Traffic Act 1988, s.40ASummary onlyUnlimited fine (level 5) for a goods vehicle or a vehicle adapted to carry more than eight passengers; fine of up to £2,500 (level 4) in any other case
Using a vehicle without an MOT certificateRoad Traffic Act 1988, s.47Summary onlyFine of up to £1,000 (level 3), or £2,500 (level 4) for a vehicle adapted to carry more than eight passengers
Wanton or furious driving causing bodily harmOffences Against the Person Act 1861, s.35Indictable only2 years' imprisonment and/or a fine

Tap an offence for the numbered points to prove, key definitions, defences and case law.

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