A motoring or criminal allegation can threaten your licence, your job and your reputation. What you do early — especially before a police interview or a first court hearing — often shapes the result.
Our motoring and criminal defence solicitor services in the UK help you prepare mitigation, challenge penalties and present your case properly, at fixed fees.
Importantly, if you are arrested or invited to a police interview, you have the right to free and independent legal advice at the police station. Therefore, always ask for a solicitor before answering questions.
Drink-driving
Drink-driving usually carries a minimum 12-month disqualification, plus a fine and potentially more serious penalties. The case is heard in the magistrates' court.
Our Drink-Driving Case Pack reviews the procedure and evidence. If you plead guilty, Drink-Drive Mitigation presents your circumstances to reduce the sentence. Additionally, completing an approved drink-drive rehabilitation course can often reduce the ban.
In limited situations — for example, a spiked drink or a genuine emergency — Special Reasons may persuade the court not to disqualify. Consequently, every option should be considered before the hearing.
Points and the totting-up ban
Reaching 12 or more points within three years normally leads to a six-month "totting-up" ban. However, the court can decide not to disqualify if a ban would cause exceptional hardship.
Our Exceptional Hardship service prepares your application and evidence. Importantly, hardship to other people — such as employees, dependants or vulnerable relatives — often carries more weight than inconvenience to you.
Meanwhile, after serving part of a longer ban, an application for Early Removal of Disqualification may be possible. As a result, you may get back on the road sooner.
NIPs and the Single Justice Procedure
After a speeding or camera offence, you may receive a Notice of Intended Prosecution. Generally, it must be served within 14 days of the offence, and the registered keeper must respond within 28 days identifying the driver.
A NIP Response helps you respond correctly. Failing to name the driver is itself an offence with six points. Similarly, many minor offences are dealt with under the Single Justice Procedure, where a magistrate decides the case on paper. An SJP Response presents your plea and mitigation clearly.
Police interviews and bail
A voluntary police interview is still a serious matter. Our Police Interview Preparation service helps you understand the allegation and your options, alongside your right to legal advice at the station.
If a person is remanded in custody, a Criminal Bail Application sets out conditions that address the court's concerns. Moreover, Character References for Court help friends and employers write effective references.
If you were convicted in the magistrates' court, a Magistrates' Appeal to the Crown Court must usually be lodged within 21 days. Consequently, act quickly after sentence.
Criminal records
Old convictions can still affect job applications. However, many become "spent" under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act, after which most employers cannot ask about them.
Our Criminal Record Disclosure service explains what you must disclose and when. As a result, you answer honestly without disclosing more than you need to. For other court matters, see our court documents guide.
Your motoring case checklist
Read every letter carefully. Note each deadline.
Respond to a NIP within 28 days. Name the driver if you can.
Before court, gather evidence. Collect references. Note the hardship a ban would cause.
Ask about a rehabilitation course. It can shorten a drink-drive ban. Consequently, careful preparation can protect your licence.
Dress smartly for court. Arrive early. Bring your documents. Speak clearly and calmly. Show the court you take it seriously. In fact, first impressions matter.
Plan for the worst case. Arrange other transport. Tell your employer early. Ask family for help. A plan shows the court you are responsible. It also reduces stress. Then focus on the hearing.
Our Criminal & Motoring Offences services in the UK
Every service below has a fixed price, is prepared by a qualified solicitor and is delivered online — wherever you are in the UK. Additionally, you can upload evidence, message your solicitor and track progress from your secure client dashboard.
Drink Driving / Drug Driving Case Preparation Pack in the UK
For drink-driving (Road Traffic Act s.5), failing to provide a specimen (s.7) and drug-driving (s.5A) charges: a full review of the procedure, evidence and your options before your first magistrates' court hearing.
It includes charge and procedure review (MG DD forms, breath/blood procedure, statutory option), disclosure request (custody record, intoximeter printout, CCTV / bodycam), likely sentence range under the Sentencing Council guidelines. Moreover, it is usually ready in 3 working days. Express delivery is also available. As a result, you can act before deadlines pass.
Order Drink Driving / Drug Driving Case Preparation Pack — from £149 See what's included →
Drink-Drive Mitigation & Guilty Plea Statement in the UK
A written plea in mitigation to reduce the length of disqualification and the level of fine, supported by character references and evidence of personal circumstances.
It includes mitigation statement, character reference templates, means form guidance. Moreover, it is usually ready in 2 working days. Express delivery is also available. As a result, you can act before deadlines pass.
Order Drink-Drive Mitigation & Guilty Plea Statement — from £99 See what's included →
Exceptional Hardship Application (Totting-Up Ban) in the UK
Argue that a 6-month totting-up disqualification (12+ points) would cause exceptional hardship — to you, your family, employees or dependants.
It includes hardship witness statement, employer and third-party letters, evidence checklist. Moreover, it is usually ready in 3 working days. Express delivery is also available. As a result, you can act before deadlines pass.
Order Exceptional Hardship Application (Totting-Up Ban) — from £149 See what's included →
Special Reasons Argument (Avoid Disqualification) in the UK
Where a special reason applies — spiked drinks, a very short distance driven, a genuine emergency — a statement and evidence plan to persuade the court not to disqualify.
It includes special-reasons assessment, defendant witness statement, supporting witness statements. Moreover, it is usually ready in 5 working days. Express delivery is also available. As a result, you can act before deadlines pass.
Order Special Reasons Argument (Avoid Disqualification) — from £199 See what's included →
Notice of Intended Prosecution / Section 172 Response in the UK
Respond correctly to a NIP and the Section 172 request to identify the driver — including nomination of another driver, late service and disputed speed.
It includes section 172 reply, late-service (14-day rule) check, driver nomination letter. Moreover, it is usually ready in 1 working day. Express delivery is also available. As a result, you can act before deadlines pass.
Order Notice of Intended Prosecution / Section 172 Response — from £49 See what's included →
Single Justice Procedure Notice — Plea & Mitigation in the UK
Complete the Single Justice Procedure notice for motoring and minor offences, with a plea, mitigation and means information within the 21-day deadline.
It includes sJP plea form completion, written mitigation, request for hearing in person where helpful. Moreover, it is usually ready in 2 working days. Express delivery is also available. As a result, you can act before deadlines pass.
Order Single Justice Procedure Notice — Plea & Mitigation — from £49 See what's included →
Voluntary Police Interview — Preparation & Prepared Statement in the UK
Preparation for a voluntary interview under caution, including a prepared statement and the right to free legal advice from the duty solicitor.
It includes rights under PACE explained, prepared statement draft, disclosure questions to ask. Moreover, it is usually ready in 1 working day. Express delivery is also available. As a result, you can act before deadlines pass.
Order Voluntary Police Interview — Preparation & Prepared Statement — from £149 See what's included →
Criminal & Motoring Offences services near you — every region we cover
Because everything is handled online, it makes no difference where you live. Nevertheless, the law does change from England and Wales to Scotland and Northern Ireland, so every document is prepared for your local rules. Here are some of the places our clients come from most often.
Criminal & Motoring Offences help in London
We prepare criminal & motoring offences documents for London law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Westminster (near the Royal Courts of Justice on the Strand), City of London (near the Central London County Court at the Thomas More Building). For example, see Drink Driving / Drug Driving Case Preparation Pack in Westminster, Drink Driving / Drug Driving Case Preparation Pack in City of London, Drink Driving / Drug Driving Case Preparation Pack in Camden. Similarly, see Drink-Drive Mitigation & Guilty Plea Statement in London.
Criminal & Motoring Offences help in North West
We prepare criminal & motoring offences documents for North West law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Manchester (near the Manchester Civil Justice Centre), Liverpool (near the Liverpool Civil and Family Court). For example, see Drink Driving / Drug Driving Case Preparation Pack in Manchester, Drink Driving / Drug Driving Case Preparation Pack in Liverpool. Similarly, see Drink-Drive Mitigation & Guilty Plea Statement in North West.
Criminal & Motoring Offences help in West Midlands
We prepare criminal & motoring offences documents for West Midlands law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Birmingham (near the Birmingham Civil and Family Justice Centre). For example, see Drink Driving / Drug Driving Case Preparation Pack in Birmingham, Drink Driving / Drug Driving Case Preparation Pack in Coventry. Similarly, see Drink-Drive Mitigation & Guilty Plea Statement in West Midlands.
Criminal & Motoring Offences help in Yorkshire and the Humber
We prepare criminal & motoring offences documents for Yorkshire and the Humber law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Leeds (near the Leeds Combined Court Centre). For example, see Drink Driving / Drug Driving Case Preparation Pack in Leeds, Drink Driving / Drug Driving Case Preparation Pack in Sheffield. Similarly, see Drink-Drive Mitigation & Guilty Plea Statement in Yorkshire and the Humber.
Criminal & Motoring Offences help in South West
We prepare criminal & motoring offences documents for South West law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Bristol (near the Bristol Civil and Family Justice Centre). For example, see Drink Driving / Drug Driving Case Preparation Pack in Bristol. Similarly, see Drink-Drive Mitigation & Guilty Plea Statement in South West.
Criminal & Motoring Offences help in North East
We prepare criminal & motoring offences documents for North East law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Newcastle upon Tyne (near the Newcastle Combined Court Centre). For example, see Drink Driving / Drug Driving Case Preparation Pack in Newcastle upon Tyne. Similarly, see Drink-Drive Mitigation & Guilty Plea Statement in North East.
Criminal & Motoring Offences help in East Midlands
We prepare criminal & motoring offences documents for East Midlands law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Nottingham (near the Nottingham County Court). For example, see Drink Driving / Drug Driving Case Preparation Pack in Nottingham, Drink Driving / Drug Driving Case Preparation Pack in Leicester. Similarly, see Drink-Drive Mitigation & Guilty Plea Statement in East Midlands.
Criminal & Motoring Offences help in Wales
We prepare criminal & motoring offences documents for Wales law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Cardiff (near the Cardiff Civil and Family Justice Centre). For example, see Drink Driving / Drug Driving Case Preparation Pack in Cardiff, Drink Driving / Drug Driving Case Preparation Pack in Swansea. Similarly, see Drink-Drive Mitigation & Guilty Plea Statement in Wales.
Criminal & Motoring Offences help in Scotland
We prepare criminal & motoring offences documents for Scotland law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Glasgow (near the Glasgow Sheriff Court on Carlton Place), Edinburgh (near the Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Chambers Street). For example, see Drink Driving / Drug Driving Case Preparation Pack in Glasgow, Drink Driving / Drug Driving Case Preparation Pack in Edinburgh. Similarly, see Drink-Drive Mitigation & Guilty Plea Statement in Scotland.
Criminal & Motoring Offences help in Northern Ireland
We prepare criminal & motoring offences documents for Northern Ireland law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Belfast (near the Laganside Courts). For example, see Drink Driving / Drug Driving Case Preparation Pack in Belfast. Similarly, see Drink-Drive Mitigation & Guilty Plea Statement in Northern Ireland.
We also help clients in South East, East of England. See every location we cover.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum ban for drink-driving in the UK?
Usually 12 months, and longer for repeat offences or high readings. Completing an approved rehabilitation course can often reduce it.
Can I avoid a totting-up ban?
Possibly, if the court accepts that a ban would cause exceptional hardship. Strong evidence, especially of hardship to others, is essential.
How long does the keeper have to respond to a NIP?
Usually 28 days to identify the driver. Failing to do so is an offence carrying six penalty points.
Should I have a solicitor at a police interview?
Yes. Free and independent legal advice is available at the police station, and you should use it before answering questions.
When does a conviction become spent?
It depends on the sentence. Many shorter sentences and fines become spent after a set period under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act.
Contact LegalCounsel
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🌐 Service area: online across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland
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Related guides
This guide is general information, not legal advice for your situation. Every case is different — speak to a qualified solicitor before you act.