Car insurance speeding tickets

Key takeaways

• Speeding tickets can impact your car insurance premiums, as points on your licence suggest a higher risk of accidents

• Make sure you inform your insurer about any points on your licence to avoid invalidating your policy

• Speeding points remain on your driving licence for four years from the date of the offence

Speeding in the UK is at its highest level for more than a decade, with more than 2.3 million motorists receiving offences, according to the latest Home Office crime statistics.

Its figures for 2023, excluding the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS), show a 10% increase on 2022 and are the highest recorded since comparable records began in 2011.

About half (51%) of driving offences resulted in driver retraining (also known as a speed awareness course), 36% paid a fine and 13% of cases involved court action.

Here we look at what impact receiving a speeding fine or points on your licence has on your insurance.

What happens if I speed?

For minor speeding violations you might receive a fixed penalty notice (FPN) or be offered a speed awareness course, which can prevent points from being added to your licence and avoid an increase in insurance premiums. More serious offences may result in a court appearance.

What is a fixed penalty notice?

A fixed penalty notice is a document that outlines the speeding offence and includes a fine of at least £100 and three points, or an offer to attend a speed awareness course. Accepting the terms of the notice typically allows you to avoid a court appearance, but contesting it may lead to one.

Does a speeding ticket affect my car insurance?

Yes, speeding tickets can have an impact on your car insurance premiums. When you're caught exceeding the speed limit you'll receive a minimum of three points on your driving licence, unless the police offer you a speed awareness course. Insurance companies take these points seriously as they suggest a higher risk of accidents and claims. As a result, drivers with points on their licence may see their insurance premiums rise.

How much will my insurance premium go up by if I have a speeding ticket?

The increase in your insurance premium after a speeding ticket will depend on several factors, including:

• Your age

• The type of car you drive

• The severity of the offence

• Your overall driving history

Younger drivers, for instance, may see a steeper increase due to their inexperience, while those with a history of safe driving might not be impacted as heavily.

How can I reduce my insurance premium if I have a speeding ticket? 

If you face higher premiums due to a speeding conviction, here are some ways to help bring costs down: 

Do I need to inform my insurance company of a speeding ticket?

Yes, you need to tell your insurer about any speeding fines or points you receive on your licence from speeding straight away. Failing to do so could invalidate your policy and your insurer won’t pay out if you make a claim.

Remember that speeding points remain on your driving licence for four years from the date of the offence so during that time you’ll need to declare them each time you renew your policy or change insurance provider.

What are the different types of speeding offences?

Each motoring offence (or endorsement) has a special code and ‘penalty points’ may be given on a scale from one to 11. You get more points for more serious offences

Other types of driving offences that will affect your insurance premiums include:

• Using a vehicle uninsured against third party risks

• Driving with alcohol or drug levels above the legal limit

• Using your mobile phone while driving

How much will I be fined for speeding?

The minimum speeding fine is £100 but if you go to court you could receive a maximum fine of £1,000 or £2,500 if you were speeding on a motorway.

The amount you’re fined depends on what the speed limit was and how much you exceeded it. It is then calculated as a percentage of your weekly income.

Fines are categorised into bands:

If your offence is minor, you may be offered the opportunity to avoid getting points on your licence by taking a speed awareness course, which costs around £80 to £100.

Can I be prosecuted for speeding?

Yes, you can be prosecuted for speeding. The police will issue a notice of intended prosecution (NIP) within 14 days of the alleged speeding offence.

Minor offences often result in a fixed penalty notice (FPN), but more serious cases can lead to:

• A court summons

• Higher fines (up to £2,500 for excessive speed on a motorway)

• Disqualification from driving

Can I be disqualified from driving if I speed?

While disqualification for a single speeding incident is rare unless the case is extreme, accumulating 12 points within three years can lead to a ban.

New drivers are particularly vulnerable as they can have their licence revoked if they get six or more points within the first two years of passing their test.

Shorter bans of under 56 days don't typically require reapplying for a licence.

How will I know if I’ve been caught by a speed camera?

You will receive a notice of intended prosecution (NIP) and a Section 172 notice within 14 days of being caught by a speed camera.

The Section 172 notice requires you to tell the police who was driving the car at the time of the alleged offence, within 28 days.

After you send the Section 172 notice back, you’ll receive a fixed penalty notice (FPN) or letter telling you to go to court.

You may also be summoned to court if you ignore a Section 172 notice.

Compare car insurance

After receiving a speeding ticket, it's a good idea to reassess your car insurance. Comparing car insurance quotes on MoneySuperMarket is the easiest way to find a cheaper deal for cover. You can sort the available deals by the level of cover you’ll get, the premiums you’ll pay, and any add-ons included. Once you've found a suitable deal, you can finalise your purchase directly with the provider.