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Have you been caught speeding, charged with drink, drug or dangerous driving or any other road traffic offence? 

Dealing with committing a driving offence can be a difficult time. Our specialist motoring solicitors in Newcastle upon Tyne and South Shields have extensive experience in dealing with driving offences and road traffic incidents like speeding, using a mobile phone whilst driving and careless driving. Our motoring solicitors are experts in motoring law and are able to provide specialist support to represent you and your case.

We have many years of experience in conducting motoring law trials and have an expert team working across a range of motoring offence cases.

  • Drink driving solicitors: our drink driving solicitors can offer support and guidance if you’ve been arrested or charged with driving over the legal drinking and driving limit. Driving or attempting to drive when over the alcohol limit typically carries a mandatory disqualification of at least 12 months, and the court may also consider punishments in the form of a fine to a prison sentence.
  • Speeding solicitors: if you have been charged with driving over the speed limit – or speeding – magistrates can impose penalty points or even an outright disqualification. You may receive a Notice of Intended Prosecution. It can be important to seek advice at this early stage. It may be possible to liaise with the police to avoid prosecution. If you receive a Single Justice Procedure Notice, you have been charged, and court proceedings are started. If you do not respond, you may be found guilty.
  • Careless driving solicitors: an offence under Section 3 of the Road Traffic Act, careless and inconsiderate driving cases covers a wide range of poor driving. You can receive penalty points or an outright disqualification. You may be interviewed under caution by the police if suspected of a careless driving offence. Careless driving is different from dangerous driving.
  • Dangerous driving solicitors: Dangerous driving offences normally carry a mandatory disqualification of at least 12 months, and you will be required to sit an extended re-test. When in court, if convicted, the court has the power to impose a custodial sentence of up to two years.
  • Using a mobile phone while driving offence:  If you are found to hold and use a phone, sat nav, tablet or any device that can send or receive data, whilst driving, whether online or offline, you will face six penalty points. Police cameras now have automatic sensors to pick up mobile phone use while driving. You are liable to punishment if you use your phone at traffic lights, so you can only use a phone if you are safely parked or need to contact the emergency services, but it is unsafe to stop.

Expert motoring solicitors

If you have committed a motoring offence, it is essential you contact David Gray’s motoring solicitors’ team as soon as possible. Our experience shows early advice can be crucial in determining the outcome of driving offences.

Whether you have been arrested, received a Notice of Intended Prosecution (NIP) or a letter from the police or court, our expert motoring solicitors can represent you from the initial stages right up to the Court of Appeal on road traffic matters of all kinds.

For early specialist advice contact our expert solicitors at David Gray as soon as you receive any letter from the police or court. If you face investigation, proceedings at the Magistrates or Crown court, or need legal advice on an appeal for driving offences, contact us now. We can offer advice appointments at short notice with a specialist solicitor by phone or video call.

Specialist motoring offence advice

For driving and motoring offences, our motoring solicitors will use their years of experience to help you avoid penalty points or disqualification and help you keep your driving licence. We understand that keeping your driving licence is an important part of daily life, and our team of solicitors for driving offences are prepared to guide you through what can be a difficult process.

Road traffic offences and exceptional hardship

Many motorists are familiar with the penalty points system which can result in disqualification from driving if you accrue 12 points over a 3-year period.  You need to be aware that even if you do accrue 12 points over a 3-year period, our motoring solicitors may be able to prove to the court that you should not lose your licence (be disqualified) as this would cause Exceptional Hardship. Some factors which will be considered include:

  • Needing your car for work
  • Impacting necessary finances, like mortgages which could lead to losing your home
  • Caring for someone who requires you to drive them

If the court does find exceptional hardship, you will not lose your licence but points will remain on your licence.

Contact us

Telephone consultations are available with our motoring solicitors in Newcastle upon Tyne and South Shields at short notice. Call us on 0191 232 9547 to speak with a member of our specialist motoring solicitor team.

Our fees vary on a case-by-case basis, but all information on our motoring solicitors fees can be accessed here.

For out of hours’ emergency advice please call 07764 929 487

If you would like to meet in person, you can book an appointment and visit our motoring solicitors at one of our North East offices:

Newcastle:

56 Westgate Road, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE1 5XU

South Shields:

142 Fowler Street, South Shields, Tyne & Wear, NE33 1PZ

What is a motoring conviction?

A motoring conviction is a type of criminal conviction that you will be given if you are prosecuted for a road traffic or motoring offence. Motoring convictions involve speeding, dangerous or careless driving and driving under the influence, like drink driving.

What is an SP30 driving offence?

An SP30 driving offence is the most common road traffic conviction in the UK. It is given for exceeding the statutory speed limit on a public road. Other UK driving licence endorsements include SP50 (exceeding speed on a motorway) and IN10 (driving without insurance).

When do motoring convictions become spent?

If you receive an endorsement (penalty points) on your driving record and a motoring conviction, it can be ignored after a specified amount of time. This is when it becomes ‘spent’, and the length of time depends on the sentence imposed.

What is Single Justice Procedure?

A Single Justice Procedure notice may be issued if you have committed minor motoring offences (e.g. speeding). It is a special type of magistrates’ court proceeding where you are not permitted to attend. You must respond to a notice within 21 days.

How do I check my driving convictions?

You can check your motoring convictions online at the DVLA. You’ll need your driving licence number, national insurance number and the postcode on your driving licence to check your driving record.  This will show any disqualification or penalty points on your licence and when they will be removed.

The David Gray Motoring Team

Janice Hall

Partner

Michael Gibson

Senior Associate Solicitor

Josh Hart

Solicitor

Hannah Mostoufi

Solicitor

Amy Lamb

Solicitor

James Rickerby

Solicitor

Paul Crowther

Customer Relationship Manager

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