Frequently Asked Questions
Do you have a general question about policing or the law? You may be able to find the answer here.
Through our frequently asked questions section we aim to help you find the answers you need without having to call us to ask for information. We've provided answers to questions on a range of topics which are regularly asked of police forces up and down the country.
- A speed camera has flashed me, when will I know if I am going to get a ticket?
- Are the speed cameras calibrated?
- Can I challenge the fixed penalty notice?
- Can I go on a speed awareness course instead of having points on my licence?
- Do I have to tell my insurance company that I have got points on my licence?
- How can I pay the fine for my fixed penalty notice?
- How long will the penalty points/endorsement stay on my licence?
- How many points can I have on my licence before I face a ban?
- How much is the fine for fixed penalty notices (for traffic offences) and how many points is it?
- I got a fixed penalty notice for parking, but I had a disabled badge. What can I do?
- I got a fixed penalty ticket from a police officer but I have lost it, what should I do?
- I have been given a fixed penalty notice by the Police and I have noticed that there is a mistake on it (e.g. wrong date or time), is it still legally enforceable?
- I have got a fixed penalty notice but I cannot afford to pay the whole amount, can I pay it in installments ?
- I have got a fixed penalty notice, do I have to surrender both parts of my licence?
- I have got a parking/speeding ticket/congestion charge for a car that has the same number plate as mine, but it was not my car, what do I do?
- I have got a speeding ticket and I want to see the photographic evidence, can I?
- I have got a speeding ticket but I have misplaced my licence, what should I do?
- I have got a speeding ticket/summons, but I wasn't driving, what should I do?
- I have received an endorsable fixed penalty ticket and need to send my licence off but I am going on holiday and need my licence, what can I do?
- I missed the deadline for payment of the fixed penalty notice by a few days, what can I do?
- I received a summons/conditional offer for a traffic offence through the post and lost it, what do I do?
- I sent my licence off with the ticket and I have not got it back yet, what can I do?
- I stole a car when I was 15 and received penalty points as part of my punishment. What effect will this have when I am old enough to start driving?
- I want some advice on whether to challenge the fixed penalty ticket (with regards to traffic offences) or not, what should I do?
- If I am issued a parking ticket must it be stuck on my windscreen?
- We have got a speeding ticket for our car but we cannot remember who was driving?
- What are fixed penalty tickets (in relation to driving offences)?
- What could happen if I get points on my licence as a provisional or newly qualified driver?
- What is a notice of intended prosecution?
- What should I do if I am at a red traffic light and there is an emergency vehicle behind me trying to get through?
- What should I do if I can't reach the police station where I am supposed to produce my documents?
- What will happen if I don't pay the fine on a fixed penalty notice?
How To Find An Answer
Click on a letter in the A to Z index to find a topic - for example 'A' for anti-social behaviour.
Click on a topic and you will then see a list of questions related to that topic. Click on a question and the relevant answer will be displayed.
You can also use the FAQs search box to look up a question. Just enter a keyword to find a list of related questions.
If you can't find an answer to your question, you can contact PNLD to suggest they add it. If you need an answer to your question quickly, please call 101, the 24-hour non-emergency number for West Mercia Police. Always call 999 in an emergency.
Answers in this FAQ section are provided by the 'Ask the Police' website. Produced by the Police National Legal Database (PNLD) team, 'Ask the Police' is an official police site approved by the Association of Chief Police Officers. All FAQ answers are © PNLD.