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Fail to co-operate with preliminary (roadside) test

s.6(6) Road Traffic Act 1988 · Magistrates

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Sentencing framework

This guideline provides a structured framework for sentencing motoring offences appropriate for imposition of a fine or discharge. It outlines maximum fines based on offence severity and offender's financial circumstances, with clear starting points and ranges for fines according to bands A to F.

Maximum sentence

£1,000 fine

Court

Magistrates

Starting point

B

Offence range

25 – 75% of relevant weekly income

Aggravating factors

  • ·Aggravating factor if no licence ever held

The sentencing process, step by step

  1. Step 1 — determining the offence category
  2. Step 2 — identifying culpability
  3. Step 3 — identifying harm
  4. Step 4 — looking up starting point and category range
  5. Step 5 — applying any aggravating or mitigating factors
  6. Step 6 — deciding sentence type

Guideline notes

  • This guideline may not contain a specific category matrix for sentencing; thus, a fine-band approach may be appropriate.

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.