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My friend has bought a car which has an MOT and tax but no insurance. Can I drive the car home for him under my insurance which covers me for other cars under a third party policy? — by Maria Mason — last modified 2008-11-20 20:23

My friend has bought a car which has an MOT and tax and he needs to collect it. At present he doesn't have insurance to drive the car so the car has no insurance on it at all. My insurance policy say I can drive other cars under a third party policy as long as I have the owner's permission and it does not belong to me. Would I be okay to drive the car home for him even though the car itself has no insurance on it?

I was caught doing 86mph in a 50mph limit by radar gun. What is the best I can hope for? — by Maria Mason — last modified 2008-11-20 19:57

I was caught doing 86mph in a 50mph limit by radar gun. I thought it was a 70mph limit because it was a dual carriageway. The officer said I would get summonsed to Court. There was no warning signs of any speed cameras. I travel a 90 mile round trip to get to work and back, haven't been caught for speeding for over 10 years and have no points on my licence. What is the best I can hope for?

I was stopped by a policeman who said I was doing 104mph on a 70mph road which I disagree with. He did not issue me with any paperwork and it is now over 14 days later, should I have received something by now? — by Maria Mason — last modified 2008-11-20 14:08

I was stopped by a traffic policeman who said I was doing 104mph on a 70mph road, according to his radar/laser machine. I think I was going under 100mph. He took my details but did not issue any paperwork at the time and I have received nothing for over 14 days. Should I have received something by now? Additionally I read that a reading taken through his windscreen may be inaccurate?

Is a faulty speedometer a valid reason to contest a speeding ticket? — by Maria Mason — last modified 2008-11-18 11:41

I have just received a NIP for travelling at 36mph in a 30mph zone. The following day I went through the same camera and made sure I was only doing 29mph and was flashed again. It looks like the speedometer in my car is faulty, but only having had the car MOT'd the previous week I presumed that there was no problem with my car and that it was legal to drive. Is the faulty speedo a valid reason to contest the first and possibly the second SP30? If so, what evidence do I need to produce? If I do contest and fail what the likely costs going to be compared to the actual fine?

I have been caught allegedly doing 56mph in a 30mph zone. I already have three points so will get my licence revoked. Is there any way round this? — by Maria Mason — last modified 2008-11-17 15:18

I have been caught allegedly doing 56mph in a 30mph zone by a policeman parked up who ran out in the road with a laser gun. I am 18 and already have three points for a bald tyre. The officer told me to expect a summons through the post in the next two weeks and I will have to go to Court and receive another three points and have my licence revoked. This is a problem for me as I need to drive to university every day. Is there no other way of getting round this?

I have been fined for having one wheel in a bus lane. Should I appeal this? — by Maria Mason — last modified 2008-11-17 10:58

I have received a fine for being in a bus lane but the photo clearly shows I had only one wheel over the line. Therefore how can it be said that I was in the bus lane? Shall I argue this one?

I have a provisional licence and am taking my test in December. What would happen if the police caught me driving my car alone? — by Maria Mason — last modified 2008-11-13 13:07

I've got a brand new car, all insured, everything legal but I only hold a provisional licence. I have passed my theory test and am taking my driving test in December. Because I've got some disability and it is hard for me to commute every day to work, I'm thinking about driving my car. What would happen if the police caught me driving my car alone, without a qualified driver beside me?

I asked for a Court hearing for a FPN outside of the 28 day deadline. I have now been given three points and have lost my licence. Is there anything I can do? — by Maria Mason — last modified 2008-11-13 10:12

I asked for a Court hearing for a Fixed Penalty Notice outside of the 28 day deadline. I have now been issued with three points and have lost my licence under the New Drivers Act. Is there anything I can do? I have not paid the fine.

I was driving my works van and have been told I went through a red traffic light. I was unaware of this, can I appeal? — by Maria Mason — last modified 2008-11-12 20:00

I was driving my works van and I have just been told that I went through a red traffic light last week which I was unaware of. Can I appeal this and, if so, what should I do now?

Is there a maximum time between being caught for speeding by a camera and being notified that a prosecution will go ahead? — by Maria Mason — last modified 2008-11-12 15:03

Is there a maximum time between being caught for speeding by a camera and being notified that a prosecution will go ahead?

Do the seats in the rear of my motorhome need to have seatbelts? — by Maria Mason — last modified 2008-11-12 12:46

I have just purchased a four berth motorhome with the usual driver's seat and two passenger seats in the front with fitted seatbelts. I would like to know if I require seatbelts in the back of the vehicle to carry passengers, these seats are side facing. Are there any regulations on what type or how they are fitted if required?

Is there any liability for damage to a car that occurred on arrival at the local playing field for 'bonfire night'? — by Maria Mason — last modified 2008-11-11 12:44

Is there any liability for damage to a car that occurred on arrival at the local playing field for 'bonfire night'? The entrance to the field had some hardcore pothole filling which caused damage to a visitor's car. The fireworks event was advertised and run by the 'playing field committee' and an entrance fee was charged. Car parking was in the same field.

My friend drove my car after I had a few drinks and was caught speeding. He's not insured for my car. If I name him as the driver will I be prosecuted? What's the best thing to do? — by Maria Mason — last modified 2008-11-10 19:18

My friend offered to drive my car after I had a few drinks. He was caught speeding with a speed camera. He's not on my insurance policy. If I give his name as the driver of the vehicle will I be prosecuted for him not being on my insurance policy? What's the best thing to do?

I had my driving licence revoked because I got six points. I have now passed my test again but will my licence come back with the points still on it? — by Maria Mason — last modified 2008-11-10 14:27

I had my driving licence revoked because I got six points within two years of passing my test. I have now passed my test again but will my licence come back with the points still on it?

Can a car drive in a bus lane at any time? — by Maria Mason — last modified 2008-11-05 16:31

Can a car drive in a bus lane at any time?

My boyfriend was caught doing 108mph. He has not had his licence for two years yet so what will happen? — by Maria Mason — last modified 2008-11-05 15:40

On May 16th 2008 my boyfriend got caught doing 108mph on the motorway. He claims that the police woman told him that he should get something through in 3-4 months but he has received this letter on 3rd November 2008. My boyfriend has not had his driving licence for two years yet and we are wondering what will happen? Will the Judge make him re-take his test and how much will the fine be if he gets one?

I have been caught allegedly speeding. Is there any law saying the police have to have clocked me for a certain amount of time or can they just use what the radar gun says? — by Maria Mason — last modified 2008-11-05 10:45

I was driving on the motorway two months ago and there was a police car parked at the side of the motorway. At the time I didn't realise how fast I was going, but when I saw them I slowed right down and passed them doing 70mph. The police then followed me and pulled me over and said they clocked me at 101mph. I have now received a Summons to Court. Is there any law saying they have to have clocked me for a certain amount of time or can they just use what the radar gun says?

Do mobile speed cameras need to be signposted in advance? — by Maria Mason — last modified 2008-11-04 19:27

Speed cameras are always (to my knowledge) signposted in advance. Do mobile cameras need to be signposted too? If so, does that mean an unsignposted mobile unit cannot legally charge someone with speeding?

What is the law regarding parking in front of a residence where the kerb has been lowered? — by Maria Mason — last modified 2008-11-04 13:12

Can you please tell me what the law is regarding parking in front of a residence where the kerb has been lowered and the access is wide enough for at least three large vehicles side by side?

My mobile phone was coming out of the holder on my dashboard and I put it back in properly. I was stopped by the police and accused of using it. Do I have a reasonable chance in Court? — by Maria Mason — last modified 2008-11-04 11:55

I have just received a letter from the police regarding a mobile phone incident which occured nearly six months ago. I was driving with both hands on the steering wheel when my phone started falling out of the holder. As the holder is situated on my dashboard to the right I took hold of it and put it back in properly. I have been accused of using my mobile while having both hands on the wheel. It is also said that the officer asked me for my phone and I gave it to him, when actually he asked me where it was and I told him it was in my car so he went and retrieved it. The only check on my phone was what calls had been made, there was a call which was four minutes before I got stopped but no check was done to see how long the call duration was. Do you think I have a reasonable chance in Court?