Motoring Offence Appeals

Q: How much does it cost to appeal a motoring conviction?

Costs vary depending on the complexity of your case, the evidence involved, and the work required. We will review your documents and provide a tailored cost estimate. For general pricing guidance, you can also refer to our motoring offences pricing page .

Q: How long do I have to appeal?

You must lodge a Notice of Appeal within 21 days of the date you were sentenced. If 21 days have passed, you will need to seek permission from the Crown Court to appeal out of time.

Q: Can I appeal a driving ban or disqualification?

Yes. You may be able to appeal the sentence if it is too severe or outside the sentencing guidelines. Some bans may also be eligible for early removal after a minimum period has passed.

If you’ve been convicted of a motoring offence and believe the decision was wrong, the sentence was too severe, or you were convicted without knowing about the proceedings, our specialist solicitors can help you challenge the outcome. Whether you want to appeal a conviction, appeal a sentence, or apply to have a case reopened, we have the expertise to guide you through the process.

We understand how stressful and unfair it can feel when you have not had a proper opportunity to defend yourself or put forward mitigation. Our decades of experience mean we can quickly identify issues, assess the strength of your appeal, and take swift action on your behalf.

Speak to an expert

When might you need to appeal a motoring conviction?

There are several situations where an appeal or case reopening may be appropriate, including:

You were unaware of the court proceedings and were convicted in your absence
Your sentence falls outside the sentencing guidelines
You believe you were wrongly convicted and want a retrial in the Crown Court

We can also help if the DVLA has revoked your driving licence, or if your driving licence application has been refused, on medical grounds.

We have the knowledge and experience to provide you the best advice in respect of your options for appealing a motoring conviction. As the UK’s largest law firm, we have offices all over the country. This means you can access legal advice that’s local to you. If you’d rather, we can communicate with you via phone, email, or video call. We work in a way that’s best for you.

Get in touch

Appealing a motoring conviction or sentence

Your right to appeal

If you were convicted in the Magistrates’ Court, you have the right to appeal to the Crown Court.

A Notice of Appeal must normally be lodged within 15 working days of sentence. If this deadline has passed, you may still apply, but you will need permission from the Crown Court.

If your appeal is accepted, your case will be reheard in the Crown Court.

If you successfully appeal your conviction, the conviction will be overturned, and the sentence will no longer apply.

If you successfully appeal your sentence, the Crown Court will impose a new, typically reduced, sentence.

If your appeal is unsuccessful, the Crown Court may confirm the original conviction or sentence, or in some cases, amend it.

Reopening a case: convictions in absence

If you were unaware of the proceedings - often because correspondence was not received - you may be able to have the case reopened. This will set aside the conviction and sentence, returning the case to the beginning.

You will need to:

Explain when you first became aware of the conviction
Provide reasons why you did not know about the proceedings
Make a statutory declaration as soon as possible.

We will prepare the statutory declaration, contact the court, and represent you throughout the process.

Correcting court mistakes

The court has the power to reopen a case to correct errors. Examples include:

An incorrect fine
Failure to apply credit for an early guilty plea.

If you think the court has made a mistake, we can help you apply to reopen the case so it can be corrected.

Get in touch

How we support you through the appeal process

We will:

Gather and analyse all documents, including court papers and evidence
Take a full statement from you to understand what happened and why
Advise you on your prospects of appeal or reopening
Draft and lodge a Notice of Appeal or statutory declaration
Prepare evidence and documentation needed to support the case
Instruct an experienced motoring barrister to represent you at court

We work quickly and efficiently to ensure deadlines are met and you receive the strongest possible representation.

Make an enquiry

Speak to our expert

We have the largest private client team in the UK, our team of experts are here to provide discreet legal advice to support you and your family.

Loren Hills

Associate Chartered Legal Executive

Find out more

Meet Our experts

Loren Hills

Associate Chartered Legal Executive

Find out more

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to appeal a motoring conviction?

How long do I have to appeal?

Can I appeal a driving ban or disqualification?

Do I need a solicitor to appeal?

Appeals are complex and can involve a full rehearing of the case in the Crown Court. If you want to appeal a court decision, we strongly advise you to talk to us. Having an experienced solicitor by your side when appealing a conviction and/or sentence may improve your chances of success.

We’ve decades of experience in representing clients in motoring offence cases. We’ll act on your instructions and advise you on what we believe is the best course of action.

Our commitment to you

Our experts always start by listening, so we understand what matters most from day one.

01
Clear legal guidance
You will always get straightforward, honest advice, with regular updates to keep you clear on the way forward.
02
Specialist knowledge
A wide-ranging team of trusted specialists who understand what it takes to protect your future, your family or your business.
03
Your needs first
Whether you’re navigating complex personal situations or business decisions, we take the time to understand your world and what’s at stake.