I hit a car and didn't leave my details but the police have contacted me. What will happen now?

The police have written to me regarding a parking issue where it was deemed that I touched another car when reversing from my parking space. I checked both cars and found no damage. I therefore took no action. What is the likely outcome?

Asked on 18 February 2021 by John B

Answered by Georgia Petrie
No damage that you could see doesn't necessarily equate to no damage. Even if you couldn't see any damage, drivers are required by law to leave their details if the other party wasn't present at the time of the incident. What I assume has happened was the other driver either had a dash camera that was triggered by the bump and recorded your reg plate, or witnesses took down your details. According to the Road Traffic Act, you need to report an accident to the police within 24 hours. You're also supposed to alert your insurance provider as soon as you can, even if you’re not planning to make a claim. Seeing as you didn't do that, you’re potentially guilty of an offence and could end up with a fine and/or points on your licence and/or a charge for criminal damage. I'm afraid we can't predict what will happen in this instance but it's obviously best to comply with police until it's sorted out.
Similar questions
Yesterday, my neighbour received a letter accusing him of using a mobile while driving. It was a vehicle he has never owned or drove, what is his next step?
I hired a car at Toulouse airport for 10 days in June. I'm unaware of any traffic violation during the hire, but late in July I received a letter from the car hire company telling me that they gave my...
If I get a fixed penalty abroad, i.e. in Spain for 150 Euros for 68kmh in a 60kmh limit, are the points put on my UK licence? I assume I would need to tell my UK insurer.