Free Traffic Legal Advice

I'm not sure where to post this but for the timebeing I hope this is the right place.

I'm asking this on behalf of my sister who works within the complimentary medical profession and is very busy and doesn't in anycase able to challenge things. She has had 3 things in the last month.  A box junction ticket, a Gatwick airport drop-off ticket and a speeding ticket.

I have posted for advice for the first two and we're dealing with them.  As regards the speeding ticket, by the time I found out about it, she had already sent back the registered keeper form to say that she was the driver.  Obviously I can post anything later. I don't know what the charge of the alleged speed was compared to the Zone, but I can find out.  Probably only marginally over.

My initial question is this.  She went on a speed awareness course for a previous offence almost 3-years ago.  As I understand it, you're only allowed to do a course once every 3-years. If she is not allowed to do a course, she would then be on 6 penalty points - starting to make insurance which is already painful even more painful!  When she receives the 'charge sheet' back in her name on the basis that it doesn't offer a 'driver education'course,  If she is close to the 3-years, would it be worth writing a grovelling letter to the 'officer in charge' requesting a course instead of the fine and PPs?  Has anyone experience of success in this area or is it down to the minuture of exact days?

The three year period for which determines whether or not a course will be offered is from offence date to offence date.

If that period is beyond three years she will probably be offered a course. If it is within three years she almost certainly will not. "Grovelling" will not alter that.

That said, it also depends on the speed and limit. Courses are only offered up to (Limit+10%+9mph). Beyond that either a fixed penalty may be offered or prosecution in court will follow (again depending on the speed).