The post where we live seems to take an age to arrive, even first class post! Unfortunately, receipt of the NIP after 14 days is not an automatic defence. The Police will argue ‘rebuttable presumption of service’, meaning that the NIP was issued in good time to meet the 14 day rule under reasonable or normal circumstances. This is why the date that the NIP was issued is so critical. You absolutely can challenge a NIP that arrives out of time, but in order to do so you have to be able to prove that it arrived when it did, which is nigh on impossible when they are sent via normal post (as opposed to recorded delivery etc). Challenging it in court could be a costly error. If, however, the NIP is dated say 15 days or more after the offence, then clearly the presumption of service would fall in your favour, as it would have been impossible for you to have been served it within time, and the date on the NIP is your proof. Their systems should really prevent this from happening but, if it didn’t, you should be able to challenge the Police directly and they should withdraw it without the need to challenge it in court. Let’s hope that this is all cosmetic and none of us have to put all this to the test
I have challenged a late NIP before, by enclosing a letter when returning sec 172 and have had the case dopped without going to court based on the 2 day rule being the 15th day. Regardless of any pre challenge, you must tick not guilty on sec 172, which in nearly all cases end up in court, unless the issuing force recognise their mistake. There is plenty of free advice online, but unless your 100% sure you risk a much higher fine and costs.
Also, I always request in writing an awareness course, even if it’s likely you won’t be offered one, you’d be suprised your then offered one.
You’d also have to be extremely unlucky to get a speeding fine over the Christmas period, as speeding fines are generally not issued over the period due to the 14-day rule, based on bank holidays and slow postage.