Speed ticket after application

Hi all.

Anybody know how a speeding ticket obtained after you apply for citizenship might affect the application? I may have just gotten my first one in the UK. Thought I was still in a 40, but was in a 30 and think I was going 36 or so.

I completes biometrics on July 28th, so it's been 3 weeks now. Do I need to update them if I get a ticket?

You might not have been caught. Wait and see.

If you have been, they may offer a Speed Awareness course instead of points and a fine.

If it is the points and a fine, report your change of circumstances. As long as you aren't a repeat offender of breaking the laws, you should be ok.
You would need to report this to your insurer too otherwise they may not pay out on a claim.

Don't challenge this in court. If you lose it will be a conviction.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/good-character-nationality-policy-guidance

Hi Sirius. Thanks so much for the reply. I was going to ask how to update them, but it looks like its the normal migrant change of circumstances form? I'm actually really glad I asked because going to look for the form, I found that I would have had to declare any traffic offence prior to any application that way as well even after ILR. I did not know that - I thought I would just have to declare it on any application form. So this is good knowledge to have regardless.

And thank you about the insurance info....my husband and I were just discussing this and whether or not I'd have to declare it to insurance if I'm offered a course.

If it would need to be updated, should I not update it regardless of if I get a speed awareness course offered? It would still count as a speeding offence and show up on a DVLA check, even if I am able to avoid points on my license. Wouldn't it?

Would I put it under "criminal conviction" (if no course). Seems a bit harsh for such a minor speeding offence. If I got a course, I could put it in under "other"....just to show that I"m being super open about everything.

Sadly, I think I'll definitely get a ticket. I know this road really well and I'm normally super careful on it. It has 2 cameras, one shortly after it becomes a 30 from a 40. One not too far later...so I think its an area ripe for the picking for speedsters. I'm normally very vigilant about it, but I was very tired after a long week at work and it wasn't until I had nearly reached the 2nd camera and saw I was still going 35 that I realised I had already passed the speed change and the first camera. I slowed down enough to be fine for the second, but I have no real idea how fast I was going for the first. Its after a bend, so I'm hoping I had slowed down like normal, but it would be probably at least 35....no more than 40 since thats what I thought it was.

Unfortunately, I won't know for weeks and weeks. I was in a hire car for work. So it will first go to the hire company, then my employer before it reaches me. Never thought I'd miss speed cops, but at least back home you know right away and can deal with it quick and move on with your life. Hate the waiting.

The camera might not have been working.

I’ve seen people post on British forums, that the car hire place paid the fine, debited that money from their credit card and gave their driver details, before they were told. I’m not sure if that happens all the time but you might want to check that if you want a Speed Awareness course instead of a fine and points?

I’m not sure if you have to tell the HO if you went on a Speed Awareness course instead.  What did it say in that link I gave? If it’s not needed but you gave it, you couldn’t be accused of deception.

You were only just over the limit and that’s not criminal (taken to court), unless you elect to challenge this in court and lose. They are looking for those who are repeat offenders and have no respect for the law in their own country or any other.

Never thought I'd miss speed cops, but at least back home you know right away and can deal with it quick and move on with your life. Hate the waiting.

We have those too and police in unmarked cars and lorries; as well as lots of cameras.

It’s the new AI cameras (from an Australian company) that Australia and the UK have been trialling that will be catching many more people for breaking the laws and not just for speeding.
The images are really clear, even at 186mph.
https://www.digitalcameraworld.com/news/ai-backed-traffic-cameras-can-catch-driver-using-a-mobile-phone-even-at-186mph

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cornwall-66508840

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cornwall-63682810

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-humber-65139997

Capable of catching those people who throw litter from their car too.
https://interestingengineering.com/innovation/uk-ai-cameras-bust-people-littering-notify-authorities

And thank you about the insurance info....my husband and I were just discussing this and whether or not I'd have to declare it to insurance if I'm offered a course.

Read all the T&Cs of your policy. We all know how insurers will take your money but look for a way to avoid a payment. Not having insurance when you drive is against the law.

God, I hope so.

I thought that the hire company sent the notice back with my company's details as the renter, and then it would fall to me. But if they pay it and then give my details, that means I'm stuck with the points. That's so unfair. That really shouldn't be allowed.

My company's policy is that the violation will be my responsibility, as will any admin fee the hire company charges to deal with the situation - but that I won't have to pay the admin fee if I appeal and win. (Which I would not even try as I know it will only turn out badly for me.)

The company they use is Hertz, which says there is an admin fee if they have to pay any tolls, fines, or fees. It does not say if they always do or not. I've seen on some forums that hire companies send back the notice with the renter's details designated, and then the new notice gets sent to those details (but does not have to be within a 14 day period like the original one).


As for the link you provided, it didn't specify either way. I think I'd just play it safe. Fingers crossed I got lucky. I just wish I could find out now.

Been doing some more research.....it looks like if its a ticket gained in another country, then the company may just pay it and charge you for it. But from what I can tell, if its in the UK - they have to return the NIP with the renter's details because the NIP needs to be sent back with confirmation of who was driving. If the company paid the fine, then they'd have to accept responsibility for it. Apparently you can't pay the fine AND name someone else in the same go. Plus, they won't know who was driving as the car is hired to a company who then gives it to employees. We swap cars between us all the time, so they would have something supporting that worked out with the hire company.

I hope.

Either way, it'll be several weeks minimum before I know. Thanks so much.

Been doing some more research.....it looks like if its a ticket gained in another country, then the company may just pay it and charge you for it. But from what I can tell, if its in the UK - they have to return the NIP with the renter's details because the NIP needs to be sent back with confirmation of who was driving. If the company paid the fine, then they'd have to accept responsibility for it. Apparently you can't pay the fine AND name someone else in the same go. Plus, they won't know who was driving as the car is hired to a company who then gives it to employees. We swap cars between us all the time, so they would have something supporting that worked out with the hire company.

That sounds more like it.

The hire company must to fill in the form and return wthin a set time with the details of who was driving, otherwise they get the fine. Which is the same when the registered owner receives a ticket through the post and was not the driver. I wonder how much their admin fee is for that quick job!

I was renting a car back in 2008-ish in Scotland and accidentally ended up in a "buses only" lane in city center.  Hertz billed me an additional $40 (it might have been $50?) processing fee for the courtesy of forwarding on info about the ticket. I had to call Scotland with my credit card number to pay the ticket fine, as Hertz did not pay it. (I don't believe there was an option for them to pay it and charge me, I had to pay it directly.) Things may have changed since then, but that's how it was at that time.

Hope that helps!

Sadly, I think I'll definitely get a ticket.

   My gut feeling is that you won't get a ticket, almost certainly not if you didn't see the flash.  If everyone got a ticket every time they sped in front of a speed camera there would be nobody left on the road.  I've been driving in the UK for 16 years and made the same minor mistake you did countless times, probably hundreds.  In the end, 2 tickets spread out enough over the years that both were dropped by taking a speed awareness course.    Don't overthink this.