We act for drivers across Oxfordshire in all types of motoring cases, including drink and drug driving, speeding, dangerous or careless driving, and totting-up matters. All motoring cases from the county are heard at Oxford Magistrates’ Court, and our team represents clients there on a daily basis, giving us a detailed working knowledge of how these cases are investigated, charged and prosecuted locally.
Many cases begin long before any court appearance, often with a Notice of Intended Prosecution or a Single Justice Procedure notice from Thames Valley Police. We advise on possible defences at the earliest stage, assess whether Exceptional Hardship may arise if you are at risk of reaching 12 points or more, and ensure paperwork is completed correctly. 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.
Driving offences we cover in Oxfordshire
- Drink Driving
- Drug Driving
- Drunk in Charge
- Failure to Provide a Specimen
- Dangerous Driving
- Careless Driving
- Exceptional Hardship and Totting-Up Applications
- Speeding
- Using a Mobile Phone While Driving
- Failure to Provide Driver Details (Section 172)
Oxford Magistrates’ Court address
Oxford Magistrates’ Court
Speedwell Street
Oxford
OX1 1RZ
All motoring cases arising in Oxfordshire are listed at Oxford Magistrates’ Court, including matters from Oxford, Abingdon, Banbury, Witney, Kidlington and surrounding areas.
We regularly represent drivers from across the county, including Burford, Carterton, Chipping Norton, Eynsham, Faringdon, Thame, Wallingford, Wantage and other towns throughout the Vale of White Horse and South Oxfordshire.
Our Oxford Office
Our head office is based at 18 Kings Meadow, Ferry Hinksey Road, Oxford OX2 0DP. We can offer appointments either in person or virtually, depending on your preference.
I employed Nathan’s services after totting up 12 points for speeding on different occasions. I was going to lose my driving licence for 6 months which in turn I would have lost my business and home. I found Nathan and his team amazing. They were professional, understanding and thorough in producing a case for me of Exceptional Hardship. I kept my licence and I’m eternally grateful. Without them I think I would have lost my licence.
Review Solicitors 2025
How we help with motoring cases in Oxfordshire
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 Oxford Magistrates’ Court for drink driving, we can obtain the court papers in advance of your hearing, which set out the details of the allegation, including police officer statements. These often contain important evidence about whether any impairment was noted and whether your driving is said to have been erratic. These aspects can affect the likely sentence.
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.
Drug driving is treated seriously by the court and carries a mandatory ban and, in more serious cases, the risk of a community order or prison sentence. Unlike drink driving, drug readings do not have a straightforward relationship with impairment. The presence or level of a particular drug (or its metabolite) does not reliably indicate how affected a driver was at the time. For that reason, the court will look closely at whether there were any observed signs of impairment, such as dilated pupils, erratic driving, or unusual behaviour.
When instructed, we can obtain the court paperwork straightaway through the online court portal available to solicitors and advise you about the seriousness of the allegation as outlined in the papers. We will also consider whether there is any realistic prospect of avoiding a driving ban, for example by advancing a not guilty plea where it is said that drugs were consumed after driving, or by relying on ‘special reasons’ such as spiked drinks. Where a ban cannot be avoided, we focus on achieving the shortest possible disqualification.
Failing to provide a specimen of breath, blood or urine when lawfully required by the police is a criminal offence, unless you have a ‘reasonable excuse’. The court treats this as a serious matter and sentences it in the same way as drink or drug driving. In most cases, this means a mandatory disqualification of at least 12 months and potentially a fine, a community order, or, in the most serious cases, a custodial sentence. Where the allegation is that you were only ‘in charge’ of a vehicle, the court may impose 10 penalty points or a discretionary disqualification instead.
There are two potential routes to avoiding a ban: establishing that you had a ‘reasonable excuse’ for not providing the specimen, or advancing ‘special reasons’ that justify the court choosing not to impose a disqualification. When instructed, we can obtain the court papers in advance and give clear advice on whether either applies. If a conviction cannot be avoided, we focus on achieving the lowest possible sentence and preparing your case carefully to reduce the stress of attending court.
Many people are surprised to discover that they can be prosecuted for being ‘drunk in charge’ of a vehicle even if they had no intention of driving. Simply sitting in a car to keep warm, collect belongings, or sleep after drinking can still lead to a charge. A conviction can carry serious consequences, including a driving disqualification, a community order, and in more serious cases a short custodial sentence. Even where a ban is avoided, the offence carries at least 10 penalty points, which can place you at risk of disqualification under the totting-up rules.
We have defended many clients accused of being drunk in charge, often by establishing that there was ‘no real likelihood’ of them driving while over the legal limit, which is a complete defence.
When instructed, we can obtain the court papers in advance and advise on the strength of the prosecution case, gather supporting evidence and witness statements, and consider whether expert toxicology evidence may assist. If a conviction cannot be avoided, we focus on achieving the lowest possible sentence.
Dangerous driving allegations are taken extremely seriously by the courts because they involve driving said to have placed other road users at serious risk. The offence is defined as driving that falls far below the standard expected of a competent and careful driver, where it would have been obvious that the way of driving created a risk of injury or serious damage to property. A conviction carries a mandatory driving ban of at least 12 months, the requirement to pass an extended re-test before you can regain your licence, and in more serious cases a prison sentence of up to two years if dealt with in the Crown Court.
If you have been summoned to Oxford Magistrates’ Court for dangerous driving, we can obtain the court papers in advance of your hearing and review the evidence in detail, including police statements, witness accounts, and any technical material such as dash-cam or CCTV footage. We explore every legitimate defence angle, including whether the driving could properly be classified as careless rather than dangerous, and prepare detailed mitigation where a conviction cannot be avoided in order to secure the lowest possible sentence.
Careless driving means your driving is said to have fallen below the standard expected of a careful and competent driver, even if there was no deliberate recklessness. Examples include misjudging a turn, failing to keep proper control, or brief lapses of attention. A conviction usually results in between 3 and 9 penalty points and a fine, and in more serious cases the court has the discretion to impose a driving disqualification. If the offence takes you to 12 or more points within three years, you may also face a totting-up ban unless an Exceptional Hardship argument succeeds.
If you have been summonsed to Oxford Magistrates’ Court for careless driving, we can obtain the court papers in advance and review the evidence, including police observations, dash-cam or CCTV footage, and witness statements. We will advise you on whether the driving falls below the required standard and explore any defence arguments or mitigation that might reduce the penalty or help you keep your licence. Early specialist advice can make a real difference to the outcome.
Totting up’ means reaching 12 or more penalty points on your driving licence. This can happen through a single offence or through an 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 Thames Valley Police.
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 prepare the evidence and present the case at Oxford Magistrates’ Court.
For further detail, see our Exceptional Hardship and Totting-Up page
If the police have contacted you to request a voluntary interview, we can provide representation at any police station in Oxfordshire.
Visit our Oxfordshire Voluntary interview page for more information.
We regularly attend interviews at:
• St Aldates Police Station
• Abingdon Police Station
• Banbury Police Station
• Bicester Police Station
• Witney Police Station
• Didcot Police Station
If you have been contacted by Thames Valley Police or invited to a voluntary interview, contact our Oxford motoring solicitors on 01865 260230, email [email protected], or use our contact form.
Many cases begin when Thames Valley Police issue a Notice of Intended Prosecution (NIP) or a Section 172 request for driver details. Your case may have progressed to receiving a Single Justice Procedure court summons. We can advise on whether there are any defences and the correct way to complete the paperwork. If you are at risk of becoming a totter with 12 points or more, we can discuss preparations for making an Exceptional Hardship application to avoid losing your licence for 6 months.
Meet the motoring team
Nathan Seymour-Hyde
Partner & Solicitor
Clare Galo
Senior Associate Solicitor & Team Leader
Stuart Matthews
Founding Partner, Solicitor-Advocate & Head of Private Crime
Kate Macnab
Senior Associate & Solicitor
Scott Primmer
Partner & Solicitor
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