Acronyms & abbreviations

ACPO was the coordinating body for UK police forces until it was replaced by the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) in 2015. ACPO issued guidelines on enforcement practices, including speed tolerance thresholds and use of speed cameras. Though no longer active, its legacy documents still influence current policy.

Type: police – Law: criminal

A Conditional Offer of Fixed Penalty is a way for the police to resolve minor motoring offences without court proceedings. It typically includes a fine (e.g. £100) and penalty points (e.g. 3 points for speeding). If accepted and paid within the specified time, the matter is closed. Refusal or failure to respond may lead to prosecution.

Type: police – Law: criminal

Driving under the influence refers to operating a motor vehicle while impaired by alcohol or drugs, including prescription or illegal substances. It is a criminal offence under the Road Traffic Act 1988 and carries serious penalties such as fines, driving bans, and imprisonment. The legal alcohol limit in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland is 35 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath, while Scotland enforces a stricter limit of 22 micrograms. Police may conduct roadside breath, blood, or saliva tests, and refusal to comply can result in prosecution. DUI offences are treated severely due to the heightened risk they pose to public safety.

Type: police – Law: criminal

FPN stands for Fixed Penalty Notice. It is an administrative alternative to prosecution, typically issued by the police for minor road traffic offences, allowing a driver to settle the matter without going to court.

Type: police – Law: criminal

A Notice of Intended Prosecution is a formal document issued under Section 1 of the Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988. It informs a person that they may be prosecuted for a motoring offence, such as speeding or running a red light. It must be served within 14 days of the alleged offence to the registered keeper of the vehicle. The NIP is often accompanied by a Section 172 notice requiring driver identification

Type: police – Law: criminal

The NPCC is the current national body that coordinates policing across the UK. It sets strategic direction and operational standards, including motoring enforcement policies. NPCC guidance affects how speed limits, mobile phone use, and other offences are policed, often shaping the discretion used in issuing COFPs or offering SACs.

Type: police – Law: criminal

A Parking Charge Notice is issued by private car park management companies, not local authorities. These are considered invoices for a breach of contract rather than official fines, and the appeals process is different.

Type: private – Law: civil

A Penalty Charge Notice is a formal document issued by a local authority or other public body (like Transport for London) when a motorist breaks certain parking or traffic rules, which are treated as civil offences rather than criminal ones.

Type: local authority – Law: civil

The Registered Keeper is the individual or entity recorded by the DVLA as responsible for a vehicle. While not necessarily the legal owner, the RK is the primary contact for legal notices such as NIPs and S.172 requests. They are also liable for certain civil penalties like parking fines unless they can identify the actual driver.

Type: general – Law: both

An accident resulting in bodily injury to any person caused by, or arising out of, the use of a motor vehicle on a road or other public place in England and Wales It also includes collisions between one mechanically propelled vehicle and a pedestrian or cyclist.

Type: general – Law: both

This section legally obliges the registered keeper (or anyone else with relevant knowledge) to identify the driver of a vehicle at the time of an alleged offence. Failure to comply (by not responding or giving false information) can result in six penalty points and a fine of up to £1,000. It’s a key enforcement tool for offences detected by automated systems like speed cameras.

Type: police – Law: criminal

A Speed Awareness Course is an alternative to receiving penalty points for certain speeding offences. Offered at police discretion, it involves attending a half-day educational session focused on road safety and speed risks. Completion avoids points and prosecution, but only if the driver hasn’t attended a similar course recently.

Type: police – Law: criminal

A Single Justice Procedure Notice is used for minor motoring offences (e.g. speeding, no insurance) where the defendant is not required to attend court. It allows a magistrate to decide the case based on written submissions. The notice includes details of the alleged offence and options to plead guilty or not guilty.

Type: police – Law: criminal