someone who knows alot about traffic law or law in general, would be grateful?

Question

can a UK traffic officer send a summons through the post without issuing a speeding offence on the spot, my friend got caught speeding the other day and is pretty ate up about what might happen, on the spot the officer filled out a form that had nothing to do with him commiting an offence, something about a "check" (routine check perhaps) i was in the car at the time and the officer told him to bring his license to the nearest police station, at the police station the next day he asked a male PC what would happen now and all he said was " nothing thats it now, you've produced". my friend wants to know whether he would be issued with a speeding conviction to his house or whether this is considered a warning, shouldn't it be mandatory for the issuing officer to give him a ticket on the spot or has the officer waved this over, once the details were given at the UK police station does it mean hes going to get this through the post

many thanks to anyone who can respond to this

Answer 1

What your friend was issued was what is called a 'Producer' otherwise known as a HORTI, because the form is called a HO/RT1 Form. That basically requires your friend to produce his diving documents at the police station named within 7 days from midnight.

Basically he's going to be reported for the offence of failing to produce his documents at the roadside when requested by a Constable in uniform, however, should he produce his documents, no further action will be taken in this regard. If he fails to produce his documents, he'll be charged with those 3 original offences (Failing to provide at the roadside when requested by a police constable his driving license (offence 1), failing to provide his certificate of MOT at the roadside when requested by a Constable (Offence 2) and finally, for failing to provide at the roadside a certificate of insurance at the roadside when requested by a constable, (Offence 3).

If he fails to produce, he'll be charged with those 3 offences and then charged with a further 3 offences, similar to the above, but slightly different, "Having no" Driving license, MOT or Insurance etc.

If you friend was going to be issued an endorseable fixed penalty notice, it would have been done at the roadside, since a police officer would have told your friend, "I intend to deal with this matter by way of a fixed penalty notice which is a £60 fine and 3 points on your license" etc.

However, the officer could have told him that he'll be reporting him for the offence of speeding rather than a ticket if he felt like, and that would mean he would serve a summons to court if he wanted to, so it would depend on what he told your friend.

Answer 2

Although not an officer from the UK....it is a similar issue seen here in the US.

Apparently your friend was stopped but did not have his license in possession at what sounds like a "drivers license check point." These "check points" are used internationally by law enforcement randomly to insure motorists are in compliance with driving laws!

The officer advised him to bring verification of his license which he produced the next day! Because this was the only issue identified during the stop and no other violation was cited....it was a warning that in the future....carry your license...as required by law!

Best wishes!