Motoring offences appropriate for imposition of fine or discharge
Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, s.17(4) · Magistrates
Sentencing framework
The guideline consists of various motoring offences where fines or discharges can be imposed. It emphasizes that fines should reflect the offence's seriousness and the offender’s financial situation, aiming for punishment and deterrence without making offending cheaper than compliance.
Maximum sentence
Unlimited fine
Court
Magistrates
Starting point
50% of relevant weekly income
Offence range
25 – 75% of relevant weekly income to 300 – 500% of relevant weekly income
Aggravating factors
- ·Economic benefit derived from the offence
- ·Circumstances of seriousness
Mitigating factors
- ·Limited financial circumstances of the offender
- ·Priority for compensation over fines
The sentencing process, step by step
- Step 1 — Identify the nature of the motoring offence.
- Step 2 — Determine the level of culpability based on the offender's actions.
- Step 3 — Assess the harm caused by the offence.
- Step 4 — Apply the relevant starting point based on the harm and culpability.
- Step 5 — Consider any aggravating or mitigating factors.
- Step 6 — Determine the appropriate sentence based on the above considerations.
Guideline notes
- This guideline pertains to offences suitable for a fine or discharge, thus no category matrix is applicable.
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.ukSource: 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.