About road traffic offence procedures

Procedures

The majority of road traffic prosecutions are started by a summons being issued. There is no prescribed form but it should identify the defendant and give particulars of the offence and statute. For all summary offences (in the Magistrates Court) the summons must be issued within the six calendar months of the offence (subject to certain exceptions). There is no time limit in respect of indictable offences (heard in the Crown Court).