Information provided by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) indicates that 9.61 million penalty points were given to drivers in 2024, compared to 8.55 million in 2023: an increase of around 12%.
An upsurge in the number of drivers being caught by speed cameras may be responsible for this sharp rise. Separate Home Office figures show that 1.49 million drivers were caught driving too fast in 2011, and that 89% of these were detected by speed cameras. In 2023, these figures increased to 2.71 million drivers, with 96% being caught by speed cameras.
For minor speeding offences, drivers may be given a fixed penalty notice, with a £100 fine and 3 penalty points. Alternatively, they may be offered a place on a speed awareness course. AA president Edmund King believes the increase in penalty points may reflect the fact that more repeat offenders are given fines and penalty points because they have recently done the speed awareness course, which cannot be repeated within a 3-year period.
The DVLA figures also show significant regional differences, with the South West of England having highest rate of penalty points (in proportion to population size) at 51.0 points per 1000 people. This compares to London, which has the lowest rate at 35.2 points per 1000 people.
If you receive 12 or more points in a 3-year period, you will be facing a minimum 6-month driving ban due to totting up rules. If you find yourself in this situation, totting up solicitors at Auriga Advocates can advise you on how best to defend your driving licence. We are here to help, so get in touch as soon as possible.