I need help/advice. I received an NIP on 21/08/2025 for a speeding offence (58 on a 50) on 25/04/2025. The address on my v5c was not accurate at the time of offence. However, I updated the address on v5c in June to Address B. The address on my v5c at the time of offence was address A. However, in July I moved address again and so updated my address again to Address C. When I moved to address C I also paid for royal mail mail redirection so that all mail going to address B would be redirected to Address C. I returned the s172 form identifying myself as the driver. I now got a Conditional Offer if Fixed Penalty (£100 fine + 3 points) dated 18/09/2025. I have been given 28 days to either pay the fine and except the points, or option B is "if you wish to decline or are unable to accept this offer, or want to contest this offence please request a magistrates' court hearing by writing to the address at the top of this letter". It says on there that "if you do not choose one of these options within 28 days, we will refer your case to a magistrates' court. Day 28 from this letter will be 16/10/2025, and 25/10/2025 would mark 6 months from the date of offence. I have heard that the police have only 6 months from date of offence to lay information to the court (or in other words, refer me to court). That means they have 9 days to lay information to the court.
Now my question is -
1) do the met police get automatically notified on their system that my 28 day period is over and that I havent responded yet? Because if they do get notified then that means their systems are automated and 9 days would be plenty time for then to refer me to court.
2) what happens if i ignore the letter, is there an added fine and penalty points if I am found guilty in court?
3) if I do decide to dispute, can I do so on grounds that they have sent the NIP to Address B even though I had updated my address with DVLA a month back? The only reason I ever got the NIP was because of the royal mail redirection that I had paid for.
4) say if i forget to respond to the COFP, and they realise this AFTER the 6 month period, can they still take me to court on grounds that I havent responded to them?
5) are my chances high of them not having enough time (only 9 days) to lay my information to court?
Just as an FYI I had already attended a speeding course last year so that's why I wasnt offered one this time.
Your time and advice is much appreciated.
