Free Traffic Legal Advice

I rented a car from Zipcar and was found driving 26mph on a 20mph in London on 15/06/2025.

The first time I was made aware of this was when Zipcar sent me an email on 24/10/2025 with the original NIP dated 10/07/2025. This was honestly so long ago I can't even remember the incident. But I was obviously driving the car based on my Zipcar history and I wanted to be as cooperative as possible. I emailed Zipcar and the Police to make sure my the correct details. Zipcar replied confirming my address was correct, while I never got a response from the police.

I received the NIP - Nomination letter dated 30/10/2025 from the Camera Processing Services. I signed and sent it back 03/11/2025 with my driver details.

I mistakenly expected that I would be offered the speed awareness course or at most a Fixed Penalty Notice. However, I just received a letter dated 05/11/2025 saying:

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> Unfortunately your admission to being the driver/rider at the time of the alleged offence was received outside of the timeframe for consideration of an out of court dispoal and this matter can now only be dealt with by court proceedings for the offence.

> This case has already ben referred to the prosecution team. Court proceedings are being initiated and in due course you will receive a further communication which will explain the options available to you.

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What options do I have? Should I call/email the Police to explain my situation? Is there any possibility of me being given the option of avoiding penalty points by taking the speed awareness course now.

I only got my license in April 2025, so getting any penalty points is quite scary to me as I believe 6 poitns will result in me losing my license. Is the worst case scenario getting 3 points? Or is there a chance I'll be charged with 6 points because I failed to identify myself early enough?

Hi andy_foster, thank you for your reply. I meant it to mean "Zipcar didn't inform me until several months after they had received the first NIP dated 10/07/2025, so now my only option seems to be to go to court", but abbreviated it for the subject title. My intention wasn't to lie, but re-reading my title, I understand why it comes across like I did and I apologize for my mistake.

Thank you for clarifying that the 27 days limit started from when the police sent me the letter on 30/10/2025. I was worried the timer started from 10/07/2025 of the original letter.

If I understand correctly, it sounds like the only option available to me now is to wait for the police to bring me to court, where I will likely be sentenced with a Band A fine. Will I need legal representation for this?

This is my first offense - I can't help but feel a little sad that, because I got informed so late, I have been given no options but to go to court now because of circumstances I don't think I could control. Was there anything I could have done differently to handle this better/faster?

If Zipcar has no requirement to inform me of NIPs, does this mean there's a possibility I have several pending NIPs that I don't know about? I find this thought very worrying.

Zipcar may not even be the Registered Keeper of the vehicle, it's very common for large fleets to be outsourced to leasing companies and/or finance companies. So there could have been several notices to various parties before your's was sent and may explain the apparent delay.

I think you're right. I noticed in the first NIP dated 10/07/2025, it was addressed to Avis. That probably explains why I got informed so late. It's unfortunate but admittedly understandable.

The next thing you will probably get is a Single Justice Procedure Notice (SJPN), if you were to respond to this with a guilty plea, you will almost certainly be sentenced (Band A) without the need to attend court.

I see. That makes sense. I think this is the best scenario I can hope for.

Thanks everyone for the replies.