Was the speeding fine out of time?

I got caught by a speed camera on 12 November but the Notice of Intended Prosecution only arrived on 4 December. I believe that if I didn’t receive it within 14 days then they couldn’t enforce it. Is there anything else I need to know before I appeal this? I recently moved houses which could be the reason for the late receipt but I don’t know whether this is the reason as it was forwarded.

Claudia F, by e-mail

Answer

There is a time limit of 14 days to issue a notice of intended prosecution (NIP) if caught by a camera. If the date on the NIP is after 14 days then they are too late. If it is issued within 14 days of the alleged offence then it is valid. If you were reported for speeding on the roadside the 14-day time limit does not apply.

If the delayed receipt was because you did not update your address on your driving licence then I would still expect the NIP to be valid. There is also a potential fine for not providing DVLA with your new address although I don’t know of any cases of a person actually being fined for this. It is clear that the key to the answer here is the date of issue of the NIP – it if is within 14 days of the alleged offence then I think you would be sensible to pay the fine.