Being stopped by the police while driving
Minor motoring offences
The police can give you a ‘fixed penalty notice’ for less serious traffic offences, including for:
- careless or inconsiderate driving
- using a mobile phone while driving
- not wearing a seat belt
- driving too close to another vehicle
You can be fined up to £200 and get penalty points on your licence if you get a fixed penalty notice - you may be disqualified from driving if you build up 12 points within 3 years.
The police can also decide to:
- take no action
- issue a warning
- offer driver training
- charge you with an offence
You can choose not to pay the fixed penalty if you believe that it was given unjustly, but you’ll have to argue your case in court.