Free Traffic Legal Advice

I've just received an SJPN in the post today for a speeding offence that took place in September 2025. I was going 61mph in a temporary 50mph zone on the M4.

They end of September they sent a NIP to my old address with a further reminder letter in October to that same address. And now, 6 months from the date of offence I've received a SJPN with 2 offences: speeding and failure to provide drivers details (s172)

I've read through the paperwork they've sent me and there's a section that states: "If your summons contains 2 offences, they are 'laid in the alternative'. This means that if you choose to plead guilty to one offence and not guilty to the other the magistrates will only adjudicate on the offence to which you have pleaded guilty and the offence you pleaded not guilty will be withdrawn.

Where there are 2 offences in the summons, and you choose to plead not guilty to both the case will be adjourned at the first hearing. You will then be notified of a trial date. You will have to attend the trial to give evidence in person."


I was unaware that I had to update my V5C and the address has stayed the same on there since I bought the car and had assumed that if I update the address on my drivers licence when I move house (which I have done twice since then and kept updated), it automatically updates DVLA too. I only realised I have to update my V5C in November 2025 and I did it right then. Now my V5C has the correct address but it didn't at the date of the offence. I do want to take responsibility for both of these offences, however to avoid getting 9 points (!!!) I'd like to take on the "laid in the alternative' deal they've mentioned. I've read through multiple other questions on here with the same situation and people haven't mentioned about this. I wasn't sure if they've just missed it or it's a new thing on my paperwork?

I do appreciate that it is my fault for not updating my V5C, and so I'm concerned that if I choose not guilty for this offence in my response, once they read my explanation, they won't withdraw it and I'll end up with 9 points (on top my existing 3 points, I'd have 12 in total and basically lose my licence for 6 months). I don't want to do the wrong thing here and get myself in more of a pickle. I really don't want to drag this on and go to court either.

Is it the case that the offence I put not guilty just gets automatically withdrawn because I've admitted to the other, even though technically I am guilty of both? Is it likely/common practice for them to drop the s172 in these cases? what would be the best action here?

Thankyou!! I really appreciate the rapid response!

I guess I'm just worried they're going to redact what they've said after I basically own up in my explanation and tell them "I haven't updated my V5C because I didn't know I had to" and charge me for both. Should I even provide an explanation?

Thanks for everyone’s advice. I sent the letters back pleading guilty for the speeding and not guilty for the s172. I’ve just seen on the government website that last week they’ve given me 6 points for “failure to give information as to identity of driver MS90”. So confused what’s happened there. It’s made me even doubt that I’ve filled in letter correctly. Do I just take the L and pay the fine (£660 !!) or do I dispute this? I’m so lost and frustrated. The laid in the alternative thing didn’t work?

Thanks for everyone’s advice. I sent the letters back pleading guilty for the speeding and not guilty for the s172... It’s made me even doubt that I’ve filled in letter correctly. ...

Did you not keep a copy of the plea you sent back?

You will have to ask the court to re-open your case under s142 of the Magistrates’ Court Act.

The process for this is that your request will first be screened by an administrator. Be prepared to meet some resistance to your request. Do not mention the word “appeal” in your application. This is the usual reason for the administrators declining to put a request before the court and usually results in a form to appeal in the Crown Court being supplied. That is not what you want to do.

Only the court can decide whether or not to re-open your case. It is a judicial decision to be taken by Magistrates, not an administrative one to be taken by a clerk. You must persevere if you meet that resistance.

The reason for your request is quite simple: you were told that the offences were laid “in the alternative”. You pleaded guilty to speeding on the understanding that the “Fail to Provide” charge would be dropped. Unfortunately, your response was not received by the court and they convicted you, in your absence, of the FtP charge.

I discovered a short while ago that you can begin this process online:

I’m afraid this demonstrates why these online gizmos do not always fit the bill.

Before I saw the inline system I always advised to contact the court and simply ask to have he case opened under s142 of the MCA, and then explain why. If I was me I would still do that. However, if you want to continue with the online system. I’ve numbered he questions for convenience:

1.So for “did you make a plea for the original offence” there’s two options. “yes, I made a plea but I think the decision was unfair/the judges failed to consider my circumstances or all the evidence available” the other option is “no, i didn’t know about the original hearing or was unable to make a plea” is the “no” option the better one considering my situation?

Answer 1: “yes, I made a plea but I think the decision was unfair/the judges failed to consider my circumstances or all the evidence available”

2. If I click yes for the above, the follow up question is “did you get the chance to give an explanation of the offence to the court”
Do I pick “yes- but I want to appeal the decision made” or “no- I was not able to speak or write to the court”. To avoid choosing the option with the word appeal in it, I was going pick no.

Answer 2: “yes- but I want to appeal the decision made”
(I wouldn’t worry about using the word ”appeal”. They brought it up, not you).

3. If I pick no for that first question, then it takes me straight to a new question “do you think the court decision was unfair. Do you want your case to be reopened” to which I want to click yes.

Answer 3: “Yes”
(you do want the case reopened)

4.The next bit: “are you challenging the court finding that you are guilty or the outcome (sentence) of the original hearing. Or both”. Bit clueless which to pick here.

Answer 4: Both
(You have been convicted of a charge which you were told would be discontinued and suffered  a harsher penalty as a result)

Then make it absolutely clear in your additional information that you do not want to appeal to the Crown Court but want the case reopened under s142 because the court either did not receive or did not act upon your pleas. Mention that you were assured that the offences were laid in the alernative.(I assume that you are confident you did plead guilty to speeding and NG to FP).