News
5 August 2009
Requirement to name driver (s.172 notice)
When the police suspect that a motoring offence has been committed but the identity of the driver at the time of the offence is not known, they will make enquiries of the DVLA as to the identity of the registered keeper. If you are the registered keeper you will be required to identify the driver of the vehicle at the time of the offence on a form called the s.172 notice. Failure to respond to this request within strict time limits is an offence in itself and can carry the same penalties as the initial motoring offence.
The police have to comply with specific time limits and follow set procedures and failure to do so on their part can render the process invalid.
It may seem from the wording of the s.172 Notice that the recipient has few options open to them and no available defences to failing to notify the identity of the relevant driver. This is not necessarily the case and receiving legal advice at the earliest possible opportunity is essential.
Please see our section on How to avoid a driving ban and our Track record of success for examples of how these strategies have worked for our clients.
Call us on 01782 205 000 as soon as you receive any notice from the police, or
complete our motoring offences enquiry form, and we will call you.
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