As Warthog's post shows, it's at the very least "a common misconception", if not (which I reckon it probably is), what most people think.

Ta for the comments on the other points, I agree that it seems an unreasonable question, "have you ever had a ban?" and then to give a bloke in his 40s who is now a traffic cop higher premiums because he once, as a young lad, got a ban for speeding.

Incidentally, what's the "criminality" of points/a ban? Am I right in thinking they don't normally need to go on job applications (unless driving is integral to the job)?

All job applications I've filled in explicity excluse driving convctions.
I think for some stuff you would have to declare them, but if driving is that important, they would specifically ask, I would have thought.
I think they qualify as spent (under rehabilitation of offenders act thing) after 3 years for speeding, more for stuff like driving under the influence.

Yeah I can't remember where I heard it, but it wasn't a random rumour, it was either from my driving instructor or examiner or from paperwork with the license; in both cases they are probably just assuming it is your first full license :?

From experience, make sure you attend court early. This will give you the chance and option to speak to the duty solicitor who can, if you wish, act on your behalf.

Dress in your smartest clothes, look very very sorry for yourself and when you have the option to speak for yourself (you have this option regardless of having a solicitor or not) explain in detail how sorry you are, that you realise that what you did could have carried far worse consequences than just loosing your licence, and explain that this was a momentary lack of sensibility in an otherwise x amount of years of careful and considerate driving.

As for you taking your licence, I believe you will be requested to take it with you in any case, in case they do ban you. Your licence will be taken from you whilst you stand in the dock so to speak.

Oh and yes most definitely state the reasons why you think you should keep your licence, it does work (sometimes).

Best of luck m8 :thumbsup:

£750 A MONTH! Are you training to be an astronaut? Or some sort of deity?

tell the judge your training to be his boss! :D

Ceri I could be joining you. Clocked at I don't know what on the M56 this weekend. In the car. Camera was on a bridge. I think he got me before I saw him.

Haven't had the nerve to tell my wife - she's always telling me I drive too fast, so no sympathy from that direction.

Just have to wait for the letter now. :(

I thinking of signing up for a RoSPA course & hope that will impress, if I have to go to Court. Already an IAM member, won't look good if I tell a Court that.

I started doing an MSc in Information Security and Corporate Intelligence, but they canned that course after my first year, so now it's Information Security and Computer Crime. The "reason" it costs so much is that it's being done part time, so a lot of people's employers will pay it for them. However, my lot know full well I'm likely to leave once I have it, so won't. It's scandalous it costs 3x as much as doing it full time, as there are no additional costs to the uni in doing it full time (we actually see lecturers/use labs less often), and even full time, it costs 3x as much as most full time MScs.

Needless to say, as a result, my disposable income (once I've paid for fuel/tyres for the bike, which I need to get to work) is about the same now as when I was a student. I'm hoping this will be taken into account when they dish out any fines. An £800 fine really would be crippling. :(

Ceri, it turns out that you have to inform your insurers of your
points only at the time of renewal. As I mentioned in a
previous post, I informed my car insurance company of the points I
acquired but it just happened to coincide with renewal so they made
the appropriate adjustments (extra 15 squid). But when I tried to
inform Bennetts earlier today (renewal due in October) I was told
that there is no need to report until renewal time.

Excellent. Thanks Prof.