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Motoring offences appropriate for imposition of fine or discharge

Road Traffic Act 1988 · Magistrates

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Sentencing framework

The guideline structures sentencing for motoring offences primarily through financial penalties, categorized into fine bands based on the offender's weekly income. The court must consider the seriousness of the offence, any economic benefits from committing the offence, and ensure that fines proportionately reflect the offender's financial situation.

Maximum sentence

Unlimited fine

Court

Magistrates

Starting point

50% of relevant weekly income

Offence range

25 – 75% of relevant weekly income (Fine Band A) to 300 – 500% of relevant weekly income (Fine Band E)

Aggravating factors

  • ·Must disqualify for at least six months if committed within three years of a previous conviction under section 40A.
  • ·If offence committed in course of business, starting point may vary based on the type of offender (driver, owner-driver, owner-company).
  • ·Court must consider economic benefits derived from the offence.

Mitigating factors

  • ·Limited means of the offender should prioritize compensation over payment of fines.
  • ·Courts should ensure that the fine is proportionate to the gravity of the offence.

The sentencing process, step by step

  1. Step 1 — identifying the offence type
  2. Step 2 — determining the appropriate penalty, typically a fine or discharge
  3. Step 3 — considering any aggravating or mitigating factors

Guideline notes

  • This guideline emphasizes fines or discharge, therefore no specific category matrix is provided.

Always read the full guideline

This is a one-page summary. For any live case, sentencing exercise, or legal advice the authoritative source is the Sentencing Council's own definitive guideline — including the category bands, step-by-step sentencing approach, and all statutory factors not captured here.

Open the full guideline on sentencingcouncil.org.uk

Source: Sentencing Council · Crown copyright, licensed under Open Government Licence v3.0. Summary fetched 2026-06-28. Not legal advice — see a regulated adviser for any live case.