It’s a common query from drivers in the UK: If you have accumulated a few penalty points on your licence, how many would it take to mean you are facing a ban?
The penalty point system is intended to be a deterrent to dangerous driving and ensure repeat offenders face increasing consequences.
In this article, we will help you to understand how the system works. This may help you to avoid disqualification and to be clear on your options if you’re at risk of losing your licence.
The 12-point limit
If you reach 12 or more penalty points inside of a three-year period as a driver in the UK, you will usually receive a ban. This points structure is known as the ‘totting up system’ and once you’ve accumulated 12 points, the court would typically impose a minimum disqualification of six months.
If you get disqualified twice within three years, the ban would usually be increased to 12 months, and if it is your third disqualification inside three years, the ban can be upped to two years.
Rules for new drivers
If you passed your driving test within the last two years, note that you are subject to stricter rules. New drivers who accumulate 6 penalty points or more within this period will have their licence revoked.
While this isn’t technically a driving ban, you’d be forced to send an application for a new provisional licence and retake your theory and practical tests.
Points duration
Penalty points can stay on your licence for between 4 and 11 years, depending on the offence.
Also, insurers may be able to view the points for a longer period.
Exceptional hardship – a way to avoid disqualification?
In some circumstances, drivers can use the ‘exceptional hardship argument’ in court to avoid disqualification. This requires demonstrating that a ban would cause significant harm to others; such as affecting employees, family members or other dependents.
Expert guidance can make a difference. Auriga Advocates possesses 25 years’ experience as a former prosecutor and more than 15 years specialising in fatal road traffic cases.