Expert failing to furnish information solicitors. High success rate defending driver details offences nationwide. Free consultation. Call 0161 660 6050
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Being prosecuted for failing to furnish information or failing to furnish driver details can result in serious penalties including 6 penalty points, substantial fines, and even disqualification. At Scarsdale Solicitors, we are expert failing to furnish information solicitors who specialise in defending people charged with Section 172 Road Traffic Act 1988 offences across England and Wales. Moreover, our failing to furnish information solicitors have a proven high success rate in motoring offence cases and have defended hundreds of clients successfully.
Furthermore, under the leadership of Shazia Ali, with over 20 years of specialist motoring law experience, we understand the technical complexities of these cases. Therefore, we identify defences that other solicitors miss. Additionally, we know how to challenge prosecution evidence effectively and present compelling legal arguments to magistrates.
What You Need to Know:
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Failing to furnish information is a criminal offence under Section 172 of the Road Traffic Act 1988. Specifically, it occurs when the registered keeper of a vehicle fails to provide information about who was driving at the time of an alleged motoring offence.
The offence typically arises in these situations:
Police send a Notice of Intended Prosecution (NIP) to the registered keeper requesting driver details. Moreover, this usually follows:
The registered keeper must respond within 28 days naming the driver. Furthermore, failure to do so without reasonable excuse constitutes an offence, even if you were not the driver.
Under Section 172, you must provide:
Importantly, simply returning the form stating “I don’t know who was driving” is insufficient unless you can demonstrate reasonable diligence in attempting to identify the driver.
The consequences for a failing to furnish information conviction are significant. According to the Magistrates’ Court Sentencing Guidelines, failing to furnish information solicitors can help you understand and potentially challenge these penalties:
Standard Penalties
6 penalty points (mandatory)
Fine up to £1,000
Criminal record
Possible disqualification
If You’re at Risk of Totting Up
If you already have penalty points on your licence, 6 additional points could trigger a totting up ban:
Aggravating Factors That Increase Penalties
According to the Sentencing Council guidelines, several factors can result in harsher penalties:
Repeated warnings from authorities
Mitigating Factors That Reduce Penalties
Conversely, these factors may reduce your sentence:
❌ Nominate someone else as the driver when they weren’t driving
❌ Accept penalty points for someone else
❌ Provide false information on the Section 172 form
❌ Encourage or allow someone to take points for you
❌ Create false records or evidence
Why This is Extremely Serious
Attempting to pervert the course of justice is one of the most serious criminal offences. Moreover, the consequences are devastating:
Prison sentence
Criminal record for serious offence
Additional prosecutions
No leniency
The Crown Prosecution Service actively prosecutes these cases. Furthermore, numerous high-profile cases demonstrate serious consequences:
The Legal Approach
Scarsdale Solicitors, always act within the confines of the law. Moreover, we will never condone or advise any client to lie or provide false information to achieve an acquittal.
Instead, we:
✓ Identify lawful technical defences
✓ Challenge prosecution evidence legitimately
✓ Present reasonable diligence defences properly
✓ Argue procedural irregularities legally
✓ Protect your rights throughout proceedings
Our high success rate comes from expert legal knowledge, not from dishonest tactics. Furthermore, we achieve results through professional expertise and thorough case preparation.
If you’ve already nominated a false driver, contact us immediately for confidential legal advice. Importantly, early intervention may mitigate consequences, but we cannot assist with covering up false information.
Understanding the court process is crucial. Moreover, consulting failing to furnish information solicitors early significantly improves outcomes.
Timeline: Within 14 days of alleged offence
What to do:
Timeline: After 28-day deadline expires
What to do:
Timeline: Several weeks after deadline
What to do:
Timeline: 21 days to respond to SJPN
Most failing to furnish cases are dealt with through the Single Justice Procedure. Moreover, this means:
However, you can:
What to do:
Timeline: First hearing 4-8 weeks after not guilty plea
If you plead not guilty or request a hearing:
What to do:
Timeline: Usually 3-6 months from charge
At trial:
Our failing to furnish information solicitors will:
Same day as trial
After hearing all evidence:
Possible outcomes:
Timeline: 21 days from sentence to lodge appeal
If wrongly convicted or sentence excessive:
What to do:
When you need failing to furnish information solicitors, choosing the right legal team can make all the difference to your case outcome.
We Understand the Technical Complexities
Failing to furnish information cases involve intricate legal and procedural details. We have in-depth knowledge of:
Transparent Pricing, No Hidden Costs
Fixed fees for straightforward cases
Clear hourly rates for complex matters
Free initial consultation for all clients
Payment plans available
Personalised, Compassionate Service
We know this may be your first encounter with the criminal justice system. Therefore, our failing to furnish information solicitors provide:
Rapid Response Times
Guaranteed call back within 30 minutes during office hours
24/7 availability for urgent matters
Immediate case assessment
Nationwide Representation
While based in Rochdale, we represent clients across England and Wales in all magistrates’ courts. Moreover, whether your case is in London, Manchester, Birmingham, or anywhere nationwide, we provide expert representation.
Outstanding Client Reviews
With over 244 verified five-star reviews and a 4.8/5 rating, our clients consistently praise our:
Professional expertise
Clear communication
Successful outcomes
Expert legal services in major cities, towns, and boroughs throughout England and Wales.
We also provide expert legal representation across multiple practice areas throughout England and Wales. Moreover, our experienced team delivers specialist advice with a proven high success rate in motoring cases. Therefore, whatever legal challenge you face, we have the expertise to help.
We also provide expert legal representation across multiple practice areas throughout England and Wales. Moreover, our experienced team delivers specialist advice with a proven high success rate in motoring cases. Therefore, whatever legal challenge you face, we have the expertise to help.
Our motoring law specialists defend all driving-related charges with exceptional results. Specifically, we handle:
Furthermore, our drink driving defence includes specialist support for:
Additionally, our drug driving expertise covers:
Moreover, we defend all “failing to” offences including:
Consequently, our comprehensive motoring defence also includes:
Our Criminal Defence Solicitors provide expert representation for all criminal charges. Therefore, from police station interviews to Crown Court trials, we protect your rights and freedom.
Furthermore, our Immigration Solicitors guide individuals and businesses through complex visa applications, sponsorship licences, and settlement matters. Consequently, we ensure compliance and maximize approval chances.
Additionally, our Family Law & Divorce Solicitors provide compassionate support through divorce, child custody disputes, and financial settlements. Therefore, we protect your interests during difficult times.
Don’t face legal charges alone. Contact Scarsdale Solicitors today for expert advice and representation.
Call: +44 (0) 161 660 6050
Email: info@scarsdalesolicitors.com
Understanding offences and process helps you make informed decisions about your future.
Section 172 requires the registered keeper of a vehicle to provide information identifying the driver when requested by police or local authorities investigating an alleged motoring offence. Moreover, failure to provide this information without reasonable excuse is a criminal offence carrying 6 penalty points and up to £1,000 fine.
You have 28 days from the date of service of the notice to respond. Furthermore, the date of service is usually 2-3 days after posting (presumed postal delivery). Therefore, act quickly upon receiving the notice. Additionally, late responses may still be accepted in some circumstances, but don't rely on this - respond within 28 days.
If you genuinely don't know and you've exercised reasonable diligence to find out, you have a complete defence under Section 172(4). However, you must demonstrate what steps you took:
Moreover, simply stating "I don't know" without evidence of reasonable efforts is insufficient. Therefore, document everything you do to identify the driver.
Obtain proof of posting or delivery from Royal Mail or courier service. Furthermore, if you sent by recorded or tracked delivery, get tracking records. Additionally, check if you kept a copy of your response. Moreover, email confirmations (if email response accepted) are valuable evidence. Our failing to furnish information solicitors can challenge prosecution claims of non-receipt with proper evidence.
Yes. The offence is failing to provide driver information as the registered keeper, regardless of whether you were driving. Specifically, your obligation is to identify who was driving, not to have been driving yourself. Therefore, even if you weren't the driver, you must still respond to Section 172 notices.
If a company is the registered keeper, the company (through a director, manager, or secretary) must respond. Moreover, companies can be prosecuted for failing to furnish information. Additionally, individual officers can be personally liable in some circumstances. Therefore, companies need proper fleet management systems to track vehicle usage.
If convicted, 6 penalty points are mandatory - magistrates have no discretion to impose fewer points. However:
Therefore, fighting the case successfully is the only reliable way to avoid points.
Disqualification is not mandatory, but courts have discretionary power to disqualify instead of imposing points. Furthermore, disqualification typically occurs only where:
Moreover, our failing to furnish information solicitors argue against discretionary disqualification effectively.
If you already have 6+ points and receive another 6 points for failing to furnish, you'll reach 12 points and face totting up disqualification (minimum 6-month ban). However:
Reasonable diligence means taking all reasonable steps to identify the driver. This includes:
Moreover, what's "reasonable" depends on your circumstances - a company should have better records than an individual. Therefore, the test is: did you do what a reasonable person in your position would do?
Potentially yes. If you'd properly notified DVLA of your address change but notices were still sent to the old address, this may invalidate the requirement. Moreover, we obtain DVLA records proving your address notification and challenge improper service. However, you must have actually updated DVLA - failing to update DVLA when you move isn't a defence.
Yes. You have 21 days from sentence to lodge an appeal to Crown Court. Furthermore, Crown Court conducts complete rehearing of your case. Additionally, fresh evidence can be presented. However, Crown Court can also increase sentence (rare but possible), so appeals need strong grounds. Therefore, consult our failing to furnish information solicitors within 21 days if considering appeal.
Once you've pleaded guilty, options are limited. However:
Contact us immediately if you've pleaded guilty but now have concerns. Time limits are strict.
We offer:
Furthermore, specific fees depend on case complexity and whether trial is required. Moreover, we provide clear written quotes after assessing your case. Therefore, call for accurate pricing specific to your circumstances.
You can, but we strongly advise against it. Specifically:
Moreover, the consequences of conviction (points, fine, insurance increases, criminal record) far exceed legal fees. Therefore, professional representation dramatically improves your chances and is cost-effective investment.
As soon as possible - ideally immediately upon receiving any notice or court papers. Furthermore, the earlier we're involved, the better we can prepare your defence and gather supporting evidence. Additionally, strict time limits apply to responding to Single Justice Procedure notices (21 days). Therefore, don't delay - contact us the day you receive any court paperwork.
Yes. While our office is in Rochdale, we represent clients across England and Wales in all magistrates' courts. Moreover, we have extensive experience in courts nationwide from London to Manchester, Birmingham to Newcastle. Therefore, wherever your case is heard, we can represent you.
In many cases, we can attend court on your behalf without you being present. Specifically:
Furthermore, if you have unavoidable commitments preventing attendance, court may grant adjournment in exceptional circumstances. Therefore, discuss specific circumstances with us.
A conviction for failing to furnish information can have serious consequences: 6 penalty points, substantial fine, criminal record, increased insurance, and potential employment impact. However, with expert legal defence from experienced failing to furnish information solicitors, many cases result in complete acquittals.
I would like to thank Shazia and the Scarsdale team. Super efficient, fast responding and knew exactly what to do in the situation I was in. Highly recommend for any immigration needs
