If you have been stopped by the police and if your vehicle has something wrong with it, e.g. a broken brake light, the police may give you a ‘vehicle defect rectification notice’(VDRN).
You’ll need to get your vehicle fixed and provide proof that it’s been fixed (e.g. a receipt for the work from a mechanic). You have 14 days from the date of the notice to show the proof to the police.
If you are being charged for this offence; the charge against you may read as –using, causing or permitting to be used on a road a motor vehicle or trailer with either
- defective brakes
- defective tyres or
- defective steering
Defective brakes:
Maximum penalty for using a ‘goods vehicle’ with defective brakes would be a fine up to £5,000.00 and using other vehicles would carry a fine of up to £2,500.
The offence carries 3 penalty points and a fixed penalty of £60.00.
If the driver can satisfy the court (on the balance of probabilities) that he did not know and had no reasonable cause to suspect that the brakes were defective the court cannot disqualify or endorse the licence. He can otherwise be disqualified and licence must be endorsed, unless there are ‘special reasons’.
Defective tyres:
Maximum penalty for using a ‘goods vehicle’ with defective tyres would be a fine up to £5,000.00 and using other vehicles would carry a fine of up to £2,500. You may be disqualified for any period and/ or until a driving test has been passed. Driving licence must be endorsed unless ‘special reasons’ exist.
A vehicle with two or more defective tyres is much more dangerous than a vehicle with one defective tyre and the penalty will reflect this.
This is also an offence which carries 3 penalty points and a fixed penalty of £100.00.
Defective Steering:
Maximum penalty for using a ‘goods vehicle’ with defective steering would be a fine up to £5,000.00 and using other vehicles would carry a fine of up to £2,500.
If the driver can satisfy the court (on the balance of probabilities) that he did not know and had no reasonable cause to suspect that the brakes were defective the court cannot disqualify or endorse the licence. He can otherwise be disqualified and licence must be endorsed, unless there are ‘special reasons’.
If you have been charged with any of these offences it is always good to speak to an experienced traffic solicitor. If you wish us to look into your case, please call us on 0208 577 5491
These points must stay on a driving record for 4 years from the date of the offence.
CU 10 driving a vehicle with defective brakes 3 points
CU 30 driving a vehicle with defective tyres 3 points
CU 40 driving a vehicle with defective steering 3 points