Free Traffic Legal Advice

The chances of you avoiding a ban are remote in the extreme.

The top band of seriousness for 40mph limits begins at 66mph. The recommended sentence is either a ban of up to 56 days or 6 points. You are well into ban territory and I would be surprised if the Magistrates did not consider this passage, which they have in their guidance:

"Where an offender is driving grossly in excess of the speed limit the court should consider a disqualification in excess of 56 days."

What are you considering mentioning which you feel might reduced the penalty?

Not much you can say really, just apologise, what 'excuses' do you think would help?

This is the guidance for 66mph+ in a 40  - "Disqualify 7 – 56 days OR 6 points"

No-one said 'longer than 56 days'.

thank you both. yep, no excuses, just a few reasons as to why my head wasn't in it that particular day.

So I am self employed and plan to take a breakdown of my income for the last 3 years from HMRC and a list of work I have for the next 3 months. I don't have a normal job and I only have 7 days work for July.

Do you think that will be sufficient information for them to base the fine on?

Thank you so much Rookie. I did not have that form and I shall now complete it... though I have no idea how I represent the nature of my income which fluctuates significantly!

I guess I shall go and tell them the truth about the day. Can't really do more than that. I gratefully hear what you are saying though x

thanks for the reassurance, Rookie.

... now for the 3.5 hours of public transport to get there and face the music. I shall report back.

any other words of wisdom in the meantime will be met with gratitude

You will be called into court and asked to identify yourself.

The charge will then be put to you and you will be asked to confirm your plea.

Assuming you plead guilty, the prosecutor will read a brief statement of facts to the court. Either the prosecutor or the court's Legal Advisor (who sits in front of the magistrates) will give the court the details of your driving record. You will then be asked if you have anything to say.

Though you have no formal right to plead "exceptional hardship" if you are banned (that is only available for "totting up" disqualifications) you can tell the court at that point that you realise the court will be considering a ban, and you can explain to them what effect that will have on you or others.

The magistrates will then make their decision. They will probably retire to do this and announce their sentence when they return.
 

Impact on others generally carries more te weight.

Be cautious as mentioned above.

"It was clear and dry with little traffic and good visibility" may come across as aggravating (it could be inferred you feel it was ok as the conditions "allowed" it).