http://www.nopenaltypoints.co.uk/FixedPenaltyNotice.html
Originally introduced in the UK during the 1950s to act as a deterrent for minor parking infringements early Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) were issued by traffic wardens and police officers. Although the issuing body has changed in many cases to local authorities, FPNs are still in use today under provisions outlined by the Road Traffic Act 1991.
There are three different types of Fixed Penalty Notice:
Endorseable
Non-endorseable
Conditional offer
Endorseable
An endorseable fixed penalty notice is one that sees the motorist involved getting penalty points. The FPN will be issued by a police officer directly to the offending driver at the time that the offence takes place. The driver will be expected to give up their driving licence so that it can be endorsed with the 3 point penalty - this can be done at the roadside or at a police station nominated by the motorist, within 7 days of the date of the offence. The driver will also have to pay a £60 fine. Although offences in this category include crossing roads marked with double white lines and 'jumping' red traffic lights, the most common offence is speeding.
Non-endorseable
This is a ticket that won’t leave points on your licence – usually reserved for minor traffic offences such as parking somewhere you shouldn’t. They will usually carry a fine of around £30.
Conditional Offer
Conditional Offers are related to offences picked up and recorded by traffic cameras, usually speeding. Depending on the speed recorded it may be appropriate to make a conditional offer and if so, the registered keeper of the vehicle will receive a Notice of Intended Prosecution through the post. Following receipt of this it is a legal requirement that the keeper provide information on who was driving the car at the time that the offence is alleged to have taken place. The conditional offer allows the offender to stop the chance of further action or prosecution by accepting blame and paying a £60 fine. They will also receive 3 penalty points on their licence. If the speed detected was above the set threshold for cases to be automatically referred to court, then a summons will be issued and a conditional offer will not be made.
Why Fixed Penalty Notices? The idea is that once the motorist admits to the alleged offence they can simply pay the fine and accept the 3 penalty point endorsement on their licence rather than face prosecution. Motorists who have been asked to give up their license for endorsement, should be aware that if the licence is not surrendered as agreed within the 7 day period, then the notice procedure will be stopped and court proceedings will begin - starting with a court summons being issued. What do I do if I don't agree with the charge?
If the motorist disputes the allegations on either legality or the facts surrounding the alleged offence then they are entitled to request a court hearing. There is a period of 28 days when the motorist is allowed to make this request and the 'how to' information can be found on the reverse of the notice when issued.
What Happens if I Don't Pay the Fine?
If the motorist doesn't pay up or ask for a court hearing within the 28 day period, the matter will, in most cases be referred to court. The fine will be increased by 50% and will become an endorseable fine. Other than a statutory declaration, there is no right of appeal once things reach this state and the court will chase you for payment.
Statutory Declaration
When a fine has been registered for an endorseable notice, the motorist is able to go to court and state on oath that:
they were not the person that the notice was issued to, or
that they lodged a request for a court hearing within the 28 days following the alleged offence
In the case of an non-endorsable notice:
that they had no knowledge of the FPN or the Notice to Owner until they received the document for registration of the fine.
that they did not own the vehicle at the time the offence was alleged to have taken place, or
that they lodged a request for a court hearing within the 28 days following the alleged offence
Should the motorist have any issue with the FPN, then they must follow the instructions on the back of the notice and keep the issuing body informed of what is happening at all times. Pretending it isn’t there won’t make it go away and the longer it is left, the worse the consequences will be.
