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What is a fixed penalty notice?

Fixed penalty notices (FPNs) are one-off fines, issued by the police, for a number of minor offences, including:

• traffic offences, for example speeding or not wearing a seatbelt while driving
• environmental crimes, for example littering, graffiti or noise nuisance
• anti-social behaviour, for example being drunk and disorderly

Who can issue fixed penalty notices?

The police issue fixed penalty notices. However, many local councils can issue penalty charge notices (PCN) for parking offences. Penalty charge notices have the same conditions as the fixed penalty notices issued by the police, except that PCNs offer a 50% discount if you pay within a specified time limit.

In areas where the local council doesn't have these powers, the police will issue fixed penalty notices for parking offences.

• Paying or appealing a parking penalty charge notice (PCN)

Fixed penalty notices for minor traffic offences

If you've committed a traffic offence, like driving with a broken headlight or parking offences, the police can give you a fixed penalty notice.

Non-endorsable offences - meaning you won't get any points on your licence - usually carry a fixed penalty of £30.

Fixed penalty notices for more serious traffic offences

Fixed penalty notices for endorsable offences (like speeding) - meaning you also get points on your licence - are usually £60. More serious offences, for example driving without insurance, is a fixed penalty of £200.

The points will stay on your licence three years from the time of the offence.

Where you've been given a fixed penalty notice by the police, you'll be told to take your driver's licence to a police station within seven days. You'll also need to send your payment to the fixed penalty office, the details are on the notice. If you don't do this you could still be prosecuted. Check your ticket for more information.

For offences captured on camera, you'll receive notification in the post along with instructions on what to do. Your driving licence should be sent with the payment to the fixed penalty office.

• Find out about police-issued fixed penalty notices on the Home Office website Opens new window

• Endorsements and penalty points

Public disorder notices

Public disorder notices are given for minor disorder offences like theft, wasting police time and being drunk and disorderly. Fixed penalty charges will be £50 for a juvenille offender and £80 for an adult.

• Find out more about public disorder notices on the Home Office website Opens new window

When to pay your fixed penalty notice

Check your ticket for details on how long you have to pay the fixed penalty. If you feel a penalty notice is unjust, you can choose to go to court and argue your case. Check your ticket for details on how long you have to make your decision.

If you do pay the fixed penalty, you won't be prosecuted, and won't get a criminal record.

If you don't pay the fixed penalty, or opt to go to court, depending on the type of ticket the police will:

• register the fixed penalty with your local magistrates' court and as a result the amount will increase by 50%
• issue you with a summons to go to court, where you may have to pay a fine and prosecution costs.