Dad Demands His Child Take the Fall for His Speeding, Now They Could Both Face Prison

We all know that moment when a parent asks for a favor, and the instinct is to just automatically say yes. For one adult child, a seemingly simple request to cover up a traffic ticket quickly morphed into a terrifying legal dilemma.

When a father was caught doing 64 mph in a 40 mph zone, he realized he was dangerously close to losing his license. Instead of facing the music, he turned to his child to absorb the penalty points and the hefty fine.

But what started as a desperate plea to keep him on the road soon revealed a massive web of legal jeopardy, bringing the author face-to-face with the reality of committing a criminal offense for family. Curious how it all unfolded? The full story is right below.

Dad Demands His Child Take the Fall for His Speeding, Now They Could Both Face Prison

Dad asking me to take points for him to prevent potential driving ban (England)

The stakes were immediately clear: this wasn’t a minor traffic violation, but a major infraction carrying heavy penalties.

My dad got caught speeding 64 in a 40. He received a letter asking to identify it was him, otherwise it’s a 1K fine and 6 points.

The digital paper trail made the father’s plan not just illegal, but practically impossible to pull off without triggering alarms.

My dad is only 3 points off losing his licence. He’s asked me if I could take the hit for him.

Normally I think I would, however in this case I don’t live with him, I’m not even insured on his car, so a simple cross-check between DVLA and West Mercia...

It’s likely he won’t just be given 3 points; it’s well over the limit, and given how close he is to losing his licence, he could be banned for 6...

I should add, my dad works 1 day a week where he will need his car, and his partner can drive. Is this something that can backfire for me badly.....?

The gravity of this situation cannot be overstated. When a family member asks for a “favor” to avoid traffic points, it often stems from a fundamental misunderstanding of the law. This isn’t just a white lie—in the UK, falsely accepting someone else’s speeding points constitutes perverting the course of justice.

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According to legal precedents regarding driving law, cases involving penalty points and speeding deception frequently result in custodial sentences. Typical sentences range between 6 and 18 months in prison, a far cry from a simple slap on the wrist.

The infamous 2013 case of former cabinet minister Chris Huhne and his ex-wife Vicky Pryce—both of whom served eight months in prison for this exact offense—serves as a stark reminder of how seriously the courts treat this legal drama.

By agreeing to this, the author wouldn’t be saving their father; they would be entering into a conspiracy that could destroy both of their lives. The most practical step here is an immediate and firm refusal. The father must face the consequences for his driving habits, and the author must prioritize their own freedom over misplaced family loyalty.

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Navigating the boundary between helping family and breaking the law can put anyone in an incredibly stressful position. Do you think the father was completely out of line for asking, or is it a common reaction when facing a severe penalty? And how would you respond if a parent asked you to take the fall for them? Share your thoughts below!

Community Opinions

Reddit came in hot—nearly unanimous in their horror, with everyone urging the author to run for the hills and protect themselves.

u/ThaddeusGriffin_
Yes it can backfire for you VERY badly.
Google “Chris Huhne”.
Do not do this.
Your dad is - to be blunt - a prick for even asking.

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u/Significant-Pay-5164
Don’t do it. It’s a criminal offence that can land you both in prison.

u/cw987uk This is Perverting the Course of Justice, an almost guaranteed prison sentence, often measured in years, for all involved when caught. If he does not want to get banned,...

u/Happytallperson Someone who does 64 in a 40 with 9 points on their licence will get a driving ban sooner rather than later anyway. Prison sentence to delay the inevitable...

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u/rewindrevival Sounds like maybe your dad could do with a driving suspension to be honest. Don't take the points. Also, nobody on a legal advice sub is ever going to...

u/squidgebunny absolutely do not take the point for him. he must live with the consequences of his actions unfortunately. if he was 3 points off of losing his license, he...

u/nerduk If he has enough points to lose his licence, he should lose his licence. 64 in a 40 is not a mistake, it's indicative of a dangerous driver. Driving...

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u/nmfin Him getting the points and losing his license vs. both of you getting charged with Perverting the Course of Justice and him still losing his license. A no brainer,...

u/Spoffin1
Chris Huhne MP and his wife both got sentenced 8 months in prison for this one

u/Heythatsanicehat Quite aside from the breaking the law aspect, what's the point? Sounds like your Dad has a history of this and is only going to get caught speeding again...

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u/ClacksInTheSky 64 in a 40 is a class C speeding offence. It's a fine and 6 points or a ban, and, a criminal conviction. Obviously, taking the points and fine...

u/stiggley If he does identify you, then you'll get the speeding, plus driving without insurance (which could be an additional 6 points and monetary fines). Then when the fraud is...

u/InvestigatorSoft3606 People go to prison for this kind of thing when they get caught out. Putting aside the ethical issues, the risk/benefit analysis should be telling you to run for...

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u/EarlyRaccoon4745
Should you break the law? No
Should you help keep an obviously dangerous driver on the road? Also no

u/JATAA-
This might teach him the lesson he needs. I would advise you don't do it, it is a criminal offence.

And a few reminded everyone that enabling an obviously dangerous driver only puts the rest of the public at further risk.

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This intense dilemma perfectly illustrates the dangerous intersection of legal boundaries and familial guilt. While wanting to help a parent out of a tight spot is a natural impulse, crossing into serious criminal territory is a line that simply cannot be uncrossed.

Do you think the author should report their dad’s request, or simply refuse and let the chips fall where they may? And how would you handle a parent asking you to commit a crime to save them from a driving ban? Share your hot take below!

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