London sees a high volume of motoring prosecutions every day, reflecting the scale and intensity of traffic enforcement across the capital. We act for drivers across the city in all types of motoring cases, from routine speeding matters to complex drug driving and serious driving allegations, including careless or dangerous driving and totting-up cases.
We are often instructed at an early stage, for example following a Notice of Intended Prosecution or a Notice of Proposed Driving Disqualification where 12 points or more place a driver at risk of a totting-up ban.
Whatever the stage of your case, we carefully consider what options are available to avoid serious consequences, such as a driving disqualification. Where a court date has already been set, we obtain the full papers well in advance so you can make informed decisions based on proper preparation, rather than rushed choices on the day.
For immediate assistance, contact our London motoring solicitors on 020 3781 8400, email [email protected], or use our online contact form.
Drink and Drug Offences
Dangerous and Careless Driving Offences
- Dangerous Driving
- Careless Driving
- Serious Injury by Careless or Dangerous Driving
- Death by Careless or Dangerous Driving
Points, Insurance and Other Offences
- Exceptional Hardship and Totting-Up Applications
- Speeding
- Using a Mobile Phone While Driving
- Failure to Provide Driver Details (Section 172)
- Driving Whilst Disqualified
- Driving Without Insurance
- Failing to Stop or Report
London Magistrates’ Courts
Driving offences are heard at various Magistrates’ Courts across London, depending on the borough in which the allegation is said to have arisen. Lavender Hill Magistrates’ Court is widely regarded as one of the city’s main road traffic courts and hears a high volume of motoring cases, including totting-up matters and other points-based offences. Other courts that regularly deal with motoring cases include Westminster Magistrates’ Court, City of London Magistrates’ Court, Thames Magistrates’ Court, Stratford Magistrates’ Court, and Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court.
Our motoring team regularly attends courts across London and can provide representation wherever your case is listed.
Our London Office
Reeds Solicitors
3rd Floor, 20 Farringdon Street
London
EC4A 4AB
Motoring Solicitors for All Driving Offences Across London
In London, drink driving allegations frequently arise following roadside stops by officers on patrol or targeted policing operations, as well as after minor collisions. That context can be relevant when assessing whether procedures were followed correctly.
Drink driving carries a mandatory ban and, in more serious cases, the risk of a community order or prison sentence. If you have been summoned to a London Magistrates’ Court for drink driving, we can obtain the court papers at an early stage, well in advance of your hearing. This allows us to assess the details of the allegation, including police officer statements, which often contain important evidence about whether any impairment was noted and whether your driving is said to have been erratic.
We review whether there is any realistic prospect of avoiding a driving ban, for example by relying on special reasons or by challenging the lawfulness of the procedure. Where a ban cannot be avoided, we focus on achieving the shortest possible disqualification and will work with you to obtain supporting documents and identify your mitigation points.
We also advise on closely related offences, including drunk in charge and failure to provide a specimen.
Drug driving is treated seriously by the court and carries a mandatory ban, as well as a possible community order or prison sentence in more serious cases. Unlike drink driving, the seriousness is not based on the reading alone, because the level of a compound does not necessarily correspond to the level of impairment. The court will look at whether there were any signs of impairment, such as dilated pupils, erratic driving, or unusual behaviour. We have experience dealing with allegations involving a wide range of controlled drugs and prescribed medications, with cannabis being one of the substances most commonly encountered.
When instructed, we can obtain the court paperwork straightaway from the online portal and advise you about the seriousness of the offence, as outlined in the papers. Being fully prepared before attending court can significantly reduce the understandable anxiety of attending court for the first time.
Careless and dangerous driving are distinct offences, but both are treated seriously by the courts.
Dangerous driving
Dangerous driving is where the driving is said to have fallen far below the standard expected of a competent and careful driver, and where it would have been obvious that the manner of driving created a risk of injury or serious damage to property. A conviction carries a mandatory driving ban of at least 12 months, and in more serious cases a prison sentence.
Careless driving
Careless driving involves driving said to have fallen below the expected standard or a competent driver. A conviction usually results in between 3 and 9 penalty points and a fine, although the court has the discretion to impose a driving disqualification in more serious cases. If the offence takes you to 12 or more points within three years, you may face a totting-up ban unless an Exceptional Hardship application succeeds.
If you have been summoned to a London Magistrates’ Court for either offence, we can provide you with specialist advice. We can obtain the court papers in advance and review the evidence in detail. This includes police statements, witness accounts, and any technical material such as dash-cam or CCTV footage. We explore whether the driving could properly be classified as careless rather than dangerous and advise on any viable defence or mitigation. The aim is always to secure the best possible result in the circumstances.
Causing serious injury or death by careless or dangerous driving are among the most serious road traffic offences in England and Wales. Allegations arise where a collision results in serious harm or a fatality, and the standard of driving is said to have fallen below, or far below, what would be expected of a competent and careful driver. The legal process that follows is often lengthy, complex, and emotionally draining.
Most serious collision cases begin with uncertainty about the precise circumstances and the standard of driving. The dividing line between careless and dangerous driving is frequently the central issue in dispute. The final charge is often only confirmed after expert collision reports and reconstruction evidence is fully reviewed by the CPS.
It is vital to obtain specialist legal advice at the earliest opportunity, so that you understand the process and have the reassurance and support needed to face what lies ahead. We specialise in defending serious driving offences and are recognised as a Tier 1 firm in the Legal 500.
Totting up means reaching 12 or more penalty points on your driving licence. This can occur through a single offence or through the accumulation of points from multiple matters, such as speeding, mobile phone use, or other endorsable offences. You may already have received a Notice of Proposed Driving Disqualification or a Single Justice Procedure notice from the Metropolitan Police.
In London, totting-up cases commonly arise from a combination of offences detected through roadside enforcement, automatic camera systems, and routine traffic stops.
If you are at risk of reaching 12 points or more, we can advise you about making an Exceptional Hardship application to avoid a six-month disqualification. We can help you identify and present the evidence, and represent you at any London Magistrates’ Court.
For further detail, see our Exceptional Hardship and Totting-Up page.
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