Careless Driving Offence
About Careless Driving or Driving Without Due Care and Attention
Careless driving is the name commonly used to refer to the offence of Driving without Due Care and Attention. Other names for Careless Driving include: undue care, reckless driving and inconsiderate driving.
If you are convicted of this offence, the court must impose a minimum of 3 penalty points on your licence. There are exceptions to this which we can advise you about. If you were not stopped at the time and there was no accident, you should receive a notice of intended prosecution (NIP) warning you about prosecution for careless driving.
Driver Awareness Courses
If the case is not serious and if you are eligible, the police may offer you a driver awareness course for careless driving. This is entirely at the police’s discretion, but we may be able to persuade them to offer you a course depending on the circumstances.
If you would like to know more please contact us today.
Single Justice Procedure Notices
If someone was injured, your case is more serious or you have too many points on your licence, you will receive a Single Justice Procedure Notice for driving without due care and attention.
The court will decide whether you need to attend a hearing.
If you would like to know more please visit Single Justice Procedure Notice
Court Hearings
All careless driving offences are dealt with in the Magistrates Court except for appeals which are dealt with in the Crown Court. You cannot go to prison for careless driving unless you have caused someone’s death.
For more information please see our FAQs on careless driving offences below.
Careless Driving Summary
Legal Definition
Driving of a standard that falls below that of a careful and competent driver
Main Legislation
Maximum Penalties
Driving Penalties: 3-9 penalty points, or driving ban (no maximum).
Fine: Unlimited.
Court
Magistrates only (unless an appeal)
Imprisonable? No – unless you cause someone’s death making it a different offence of causing death by careless driving.
Do you need help protecting your driving licence?
Talk to us today about how we can help you with your driving offence.
Careless Driving Offence FAQs
What do the police have to prove for careless driving?
What is the standard of a careful and competent driver?
Will I be sent a Notice of Intended Prosecution (NIP) for Careless Driving?
Can the Police disqualify me from driving?
Are there any examples of careless driving?
Are there any defences to careless driving?
Do I need a solicitor for a careless driving offence?
Relevant Cases
Increased Court Penalties for Driving Offences
Victim Surcharge Increase If you go to court for a minor driving offence and are convicted, it is...
Causing Death by Dangerous Driving Results in Suspended Sentence
Pragma Law represented a driver charged with causing death by dangerous driving. The prosecution...
Do I Need a Solicitor if I Have to go to Court for a Driving Offence?
You are not required to have a solicitor for court. You can represent yourself if you...
Contact Us
Get in touch today by simply filling in our contact form and one of our friendly team will get back to you.
Alternatively, call us on: 0115 784 0382 or email us at: [email protected]