Fixed Fee Motoring Offences – What does legal representation actually cost?

Facing a motoring offence is stressful enough without worrying about an open-ended legal bill.

At Ashtons Legal, we offer an offering of fixed fees in the range of £1,500 – £3,000 plus VAT for summary motoring offences dealt with at a single hearing, excluding Counsel’s fees and travel where applicable. You know the cost upfront — no surprises.

Award-winning motoring law expertise

We’re proud to have been named Criminal Law Team of the Year at the Cambridgeshire Law Society Awards 2026. It’s recognition that means a great deal to us — not least because it reflects the work we do for clients every day in courts across the region and beyond. When you instruct Ashtons Legal, you’re working with a team that others in the legal profession recognise for excellence.

What are summary motoring offences?

Summary motoring offences are dealt with exclusively in the Magistrates’ Court and cover a wide range of driving-related matters. Some straightforward cases may be handled through the Single Justice Procedure — a paper-based process without a public court hearing — but if you’re at risk of disqualification or wish to plead not guilty, leading to a trial, you’ll need to appear before a full Magistrates’ Court.

The offences we regularly deal with include:

• Speeding
• Drink driving and drug driving
• Failing to provide a specimen (breath, blood, or urine)
• No insurance
• Failing to provide driver details (Section 172, Road Traffic Act 1988)
• Driving without due care and attention
• Dangerous driving (this is an either-way offence)
• Using a mobile phone whilst driving
• Driving whilst disqualified
• Driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence
• Failing to stop or report an accident
• Defective vehicle offences.

All the road traffic offences above carry either mandatory or discretionary disqualification or penalty points, consequences that can be career-ending for anyone whose job depends on a licence with nil points.

Exceptional hardship and special reasons

Where you’re at risk of a totting-up disqualification (12 or more penalty points within three years), we can advise on and present an exceptional hardship argument — focusing on the real-world impact that losing your licence would have on others, such as employees or dependants.

Special reasons are a separate argument that, if accepted, allows the court to avoid imposing an otherwise mandatory disqualification or endorsement. It must relate directly to the circumstances of the offence itself rather than personal mitigation. Both arguments require careful preparation and honest assessment of their prospects — something we’ll always give you upfront.

Who will handle your case?

Your case will be handled by one of our experienced solicitors:

• Tim Ridyard, Partner — £350 plus VAT per hour
• Maya Devi Lal, Senior Associate Solicitor — £350 plus VAT per hour
• Paris Phillips-Morris, Solicitor — £220 plus VAT per hour.

All are regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) and regularly appear in the Magistrates’ Court. This is core work for our team, not an occasional sideline.

What’s included in the fixed fee?

Our fixed fee of £1,500-£3,000 plus VAT covers:

• Initial instructions and advice on the merits of your case
• Advising on plea and strategy
• Preparing and filing any necessary documentation
• Exceptional hardship or special reasons arguments where applicable
• Representation at the Magistrates’ Court hearing by a solicitor from our team or, where necessary, by Counsel instructed on your behalf.

The fee range assumes a guilty plea but includes an exceptional hardship argument where needed. If anything changes, we’ll tell you before it affects your bill.

Our fixed fee arrangement does not cover road traffic offences that are sent to the Crown Court – we will provide cost estimates on a case-by-case basis. If your matter is adjourned for trial, separate fees will apply to cover the additional preparation work involved. We will discuss these with you and provide a clear estimate before any additional costs are incurred.

What if my case is set for Trial?

Our fixed fee applies to cases resolved at a single hearing — typically where you plead guilty, or the matter is dealt with on the day. If your case is set for trial, whether in the Magistrates’ Court or the Crown Court, additional preparation work will be required. This includes reviewing evidence, taking witness statements, preparing cross-examination, and attending the trial itself. These matters fall outside our standard fixed fee structure.

For trials, we will provide you with a clear cost estimate tailored to the complexity of your case before any additional fees are incurred. This ensures you always know what to expect and can make an informed decision about how to proceed.

Nationwide coverage — we’re happy to travel

Our practice covers the whole of England and Wales. Court hearings don’t always happen on your doorstep, and we understand that. Whether your case is listed at a court close to home or further afield, we’ll make sure you’re represented. For hearings outside Norfolk and Suffolk, representation will be provided by Counsel, with fees reflecting the additional time and logistics involved. All fees are subject to VAT at 20%, and reasonable travel expenses will be charged where travel is required. If an overnight stay is unavoidable, accommodation costs reasonably incurred will also be included.

Legal Aid

Legal Aid is not generally available for summary motoring offences, which is precisely why fixed-fee pricing matters. You’ll always know what you’re paying.

Please note that Ashtons Legal LLP does not provide Legal Aid services. Should you wish to explore Legal Aid funding, you would need to instruct a firm that holds a Legal Aid contract.

Contact our motoring offences solicitors today

If you require legal support with any issues covered in this article, please get in touch with our specialist motoring offences team by using our online enquiry form or by calling 0330 191 4448.