Full Breakdown
Paul Scholes Convicted in Absentia, Receives Six-Month Driving Ban
8/18/2026, 8:53:36 PM
Speeding Incidents and Court Actions
Former England midfielder Paul Scholes was caught exceeding the speed limit on two separate occasions. Court documents obtained by the Press Association show his Range Rover was recorded traveling 37 mph in a 30 mph residential stretch of the A649 Halifax Road near Cleckheaton just after 11:30 pm on March 3. A second offense involved his Mercedes, which was clocked at 49 mph in a 30 mph zone on the A670 Mossley Road near Ashton-under-Lyne at 11:10 am on November 14 of the previous year. After each incident police sent letters requesting confirmation of the driver; no replies were received. Scholes was prosecuted for the speeding violations and for failing to respond to the notices. The cases were heard on two consecutive days in private hearings under the Single Justice Procedure, and Scholes was convicted in his absence.
Penalties Imposed
At Bradford Magistrates’ Court on August 12, Scholes received a six-month driving ban for the March speeding offence, a £220 fine, £120 in costs and an £88 victim surcharge. The following day at Manchester Magistrates’ Court he was sentenced for the November offence to a £660 fine, six penalty points on his licence, £120 in costs and a £264 victim surcharge. The combined financial penalties total £1,472.
Official Response and Legal Procedure
A court official noted that Scholes could not be offered a speed-awareness course because he already possessed penalty points, making him ineligible for a discretionary out-of-court settlement. The prosecutions proceeded under the Single Justice Procedure, which allows certain cases to be heard without the defendant present.
Career Context
Scholes played 499 matches for Manchester United and earned 66 caps for England, winning 11 Premier League titles, three FA Cups and two Champions League trophies during his career. The driving ban marks a rare legal setback for the former football star.
