It is an offence to use a hand-held mobile phone whilst driving. This offence can extend to the use of other communication devices including personal computers, satellite navigation and two-way radios. The term “use” is broadly interpreted by the courts, however, it should generally be confined to the use of some interactive function of the phone such as making telephone calls, texting, emailing, browsing the web or receiving data.

The maximum penalty for using a handheld mobile phone whilst driving is a fine of £1000.00 (or £2,500 if you’re driving a lorry or bus) and the endorsement of 6 penalty points. If you have a Fixed Penalty Notice or Court Summons for using a handheld mobile phone, please contact us for advice and no-obligation consultation on how we can help.

What are the penalties for using a mobile phone whilst driving?

The maximum penalty for Using a Handheld Mobile Phone (whilst driving) is a fine of £1000.00 (£2,500 if you’re driving a lorry or bus) and the endorsement of 6 penalty points (applying to offences committed on or after 1st March 2017).

In many cases, a motorist who is alleged to have committed this offence will be offered a Fixed Penalty Notice imposing a £200.00 penalty and 6 penalty points. This is an alternative to formal prosecution before a Magistrates’ Court. If you have a Fixed Penalty Notice, Court Summons or Single Justice Procedure Notice for Using a Handheld Mobile Phone, please contact us for advice and no-obligation consultation on how we can help.

What are the defences to using a mobile phone whilst driving?

There are a number of defences to the offence of Using a Handheld Mobile Phone (whilst driving). In addition to technical procedural arguments, these can include:

• I was calling the emergency services (999) in a genuine emergency and it was not safe or practicable to stop;
• I was not “using” a communicative function of the phone; and
• I was not driving.

If you find yourself with a Fixed Penalty Notice, Summons or Single Justice Procedure Notice for an offence of Using a Handheld Mobile Phone (whilst driving), please contact us for advice and a no obligation consultation on how we can help you.

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I have received a Fixed Penalty Notice for this offence; what should I do?

If you are offence a Fixed Penalty Notice for Using a Handheld Mobile Phone (whilst driving) and you accept that you have done so, then you should accept the Fixed Penalty Notice.

This will require you to pay a £100.00 penalty and will result in 3 penalty points being endorsed on your driving licence. You should only accept a Fixed Penalty Notice if you accept that you have committed the offence. If you have not committed the offence, then you may reject the Fixed Penalty Notice and request a hearing before the Magistrates’ Court where you will be able to have a trial and put your version of events.

If you have been offered a Fixed Penalty Notice for Using a Handheld Mobile Phone (whilst driving) and you wish to challenge it, please contact us for advice and a no obligation consultation to see how we can help.

How Caddick Davies can help

At Caddick Davies Solicitors we specialise in the representation of motorists who are charged with offences of Using a Handheld Mobile Phone (whilst driving). We have successfully defended many motorists charged with this offence and are able to use our expertise and experience to secure the best possible results on behalf of our clients.

If you have a Fixed Penalty Notice or Court Summons for Using a Handheld Mobile Phone, please contact us for advice and a no obligation consultation on how we can help.

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