For any, but particularly new drivers, traffic offences can mean points on their licence – and an accumulation of 12 points or more can lead to a minimum driving ban of 6 months unless they can establish grounds for ‘exceptional hardship’ as a mitigating circumstance.
A minor speeding ticket may only attract three points, but drivers need to stay vigilant as these remain active on their licence for 3 years, meaning they could fall foul of what’s known as a ‘totting up’ ban, where they suddenly realise they have tipped over that 12-point threshold and are facing disqualification (that’s a minimum 6 months ban, or if it’s happened more than once – 12 months). And as well as speeding, there are literally hundreds of other offences which can result in points being given – ranging from not having appropriate insurance cover to speaking on a mobile phone while driving, failing to comply with traffic signs or traffic lights, having faulty tyres or lights, overloading…. the list goes on!
Risks are particularly high for new drivers: if you have passed your test in the last two years, you only have to notch up 6 points and the DVLA will revoke your licence, meaning you will have to reapply for a provisional licence and take your test – both the theory and the practical – all over again.
In some cases, drivers are not aware of these issues – and sometimes, they simply haven’t read the small print on insurance documents – leading to problems.
For example, some drivers may not realise that because they have insurance for their own vehicle, it doesn’t automatically entitle them to drive anyone else’s. Or perhaps if someone says, ‘Go ahead, I’m covered for other drivers,’ they may not realise that there’s an age restriction: other drivers are permitted, but only if they are over the age of 25 … which is a common insurance provision. In either case, the unsuspecting could get penalty points for driving without valid insurance.
Another potential pitfall is driving for work: if you are using your own vehicle to make deliveries for a business such as your local takeaway, you must have business insurance. This also applies to people like care workers who drive between clients’ homes. Sometimes people are worried that business insurance will mean a massive hike in their premium, but it’s not always the case … maybe £30 or so… and a fine could be much more, to say nothing of the cost – both financial and personal – of a ban. The fixed penalty fine alone is £300 + 6 points and at court, it’s a Band C fine (so up to 150% of weekly income) and 6-8 points.
If you drive a company vehicle, make sure your employer has your up-to-date details and a policy to advise you if they receive a ‘Notice of Intended Prosecution’ that indicates you are believed to have committed a road traffic offence.
Before you set foot in your vehicle, make sure you read the small print on your insurance – and don’t forget to flag up any change of address promptly to both the DVLA regarding your licence and on your vehicle registration.
And once you’re behind the wheel, follow some basic safety rules:
- Never use a phone while driving unless completely hands free
- Do not eat/read anything while driving
- Use a speed limit app which will warn you about speed cameras
Above all, don’t be afraid to ask for help. At Auriga, an initial call is free, so don’t accept fixed penalty tickets without advice or feel your ‘Notice of Intended Prosecution’ is the end of the story.
And for businesses with drivers of company vehicles (or their own vehicles which are used in the course of their work), prevention is better than cure: why not sign them up for some of our online courses to make sure your drivers know the facts about road traffic law and how it affects them?
Because it’s not just the employee who can get points on their licence – Directors at an offending driver’s company can too … particularly for the ‘Failing to provide driver information’ offence, which can attract 6 points. And that means unsuspecting business owners can easily risk falling foul of a totting up ban too!
If you want to leave such headaches behind in your rear-view mirror, why not take a look at AurigaFleet: we offer a fully comprehensive service, managing all your driver and vehicle documentation through the award winning ODODrive platform, combined with Auriga’s legal services, which include policy writing and those wide-ranging driver information courses.
It’s the perfect combination to reduce risk for employees and Directors alike.
Call us now for further advice 08000 55 66 31
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