Road safety 

Fixed penalty tickets

Fixed penalty tickets may be issued for road traffic offences, and offer an opportunity to settle an offence without the need to go through the court system.

These offences may include:

• Speeding.
• Failing to wear a seat belt.
• Use of a mobile phone while driving.
• Parking.

What happens next?

If you have received a fixed penalty ticket for a speeding offence, seat belt offence or mobile phone offence, please read on.

Click on a link below to learn about what happens next, whether you have the chance of going on one of the driver education schemes, and how the offence will affect your licence.

• I have received a ticket for a speeding offence (opens new window).
• I have received a ticket for a seatbelt offence (opens new window).
• I have received a ticket for a mobile phone offence (opens new window).

Advice on how to avoid getting a ticket

1. Do not exceed the legal speed limits.
2. Read the Highway Code (opens new window) to find out more about speed limits. Remember, if it is a built-up area and if there is street lighting, then you can presume that it is a 30 miles per hour limit unless signs show otherwise.
3. Look for speed limit signs and make a point of knowing what the limits are on your local roads.
4. Contact your local authority road safety team. Ask them about road safety campaigns in your area and how you can help.
5. Encourage your employer to get involved with the Safer Roads Partnership (opens new window) to make sure up-to-date information is available in your workplace.
6. If you comply with the limit, the chances are that the driver behind you will too.
7. Be an ambassador for driving within legal speed limits - it is the hallmark of good driving.
8. Be responsible and check your speedometer frequently, as you would your mirrors.
9. Choose the right gear to maintain proper control of your speed. Often, a lower gear will give you more control and flexibility in controlled areas.
10. If you are driving a commercial vehicle or towing a trailer, it is likely to be subject to a lower speed limit. Make sure that you know what that limit is.

Fixed Penalty Support Unit

Thames Valley Police’s Fixed Penalty Support Unit (FPSU) deals with the issue and administration of fixed penalty notices for a range of offences.

Visit our Fixed Penalty Support Unit page to read questions that the FPSU are often asked and find out how to contact them.