Did you know over 3 million UK drivers[1] have penalty points on their driving licence?
We analysed DVLA driving licence data to find out what the most common offences are and where the drivers with the most points live… We’ll also examine how these points can affect insurance policies.
But first, let’s take a look at some of the key findings[2]:
Our DVLA data research found the following offences as the biggest causes of points:
Nearly one in five (17%) motorists also admitted to bragging about how many penalty points they have.
Rank | Location | Population | Drivers with points | % |
1 | Worthing, West Sussex (BN13) | 10,312 | 1,379 | 21.5% |
2 | Coldstream, Scottish Borders (TD12) | 1,289 | 170 | 21.2% |
3 | Wimborne, Dorset (BH21) | 21,427 | 2,761 | 20.7% |
4 | Dartford, Kent (DA10) | 6,658 | 788 | 19.1% |
5 | Boston Spa, West Yorkshire (LS23) | 9,149 | 1,066 | 18.8% |
6 | Skipton, North Yorkshire (BD23) | 16,424 | 1,885 | 18.5% |
7 | Newquay, Cornwall (TR8) | 8,221 | 891 | 17.5% |
8 | Wetherby, West Yorkshire (LS22) | 8,221 | 891 | 17.5% |
9 | Exeter, Devon (EX5) | 18,799 | 1,920 | 16.4% |
10 | Banwell, Somerset (BS29) | 2,588 | 261 | 16.2% |
Over a fifth of drivers based in Worthing, West Sussex, have been penalised for motoring offences. This is closely followed by Coldstream in the Scottish Borders (21.2%) and Wimborne, Dorset (20.7%). A point of interest is how many of these areas are based around or near the coast.
Rank | Location | Population | Drivers with points | % of drivers |
1 | Croydon, Greater London (CR0) | 153,812 | 7,005 | 7.3% |
2 | Leicester (LE2) | 119,003 | 5,474 | 7.4% |
3 | Leicester (LE3) | 101,091 | 5,402 | 8.6% |
4 | Iver, Bucks (SL6) | 77,532 | 5,384 | 11.2% |
5 | Bristol (BS16) | 75,733 | 4,647 | 9.9% |
6 | Willesden, Greater London (NW10) | 91,959 | 4,344 | 7.6% |
7 | Walthamstow, Greater London (E17) | 103,402 | 4,343 | 6.8% |
8 | Northampton (NN3) | 68,995 | 4,317 | 10.1% |
9 | Slough, Berkshire (SL1) | 70,367 | 4,242 | 9.7% |
10 | Nottingham (NG16) | 63,697 | 4,189 | 10.6% |
The south London borough of Croydon is home to more than 7,000 drivers with penalty points on their license – that’s more than anywhere else in the UK. Two postcode districts in Leicester (LE2 and LE3) come in second and third place with 5,474 and 5,402 offenders respectively.
The UK government states ‘The courts can fine you and ‘endorse’ your driving record with penalty points if you’re convicted of a motoring offence. Endorsements must stay on your driving record for 4 or 11 years, depending on the offence.’
From speeding fines to breaking motorway and insurance rules, there are many penalties for drivers who don’t follow the rules. There are even some UK driving offences you may not be aware of.
If you build up 12 or more penalty points within a period of three years, you could be disqualified from driving (new drivers have different rules). On rare occasions, judges can make exceptions if a ban causes unfair hardship for the driver e.g. causing them to lose a job or break up a relationship.
You can view your driving licence record to see what penalty points you have and when they’ll be removed.
From our research, it appears a significant portion of drivers may be unknowingly putting their insurance at risk, with 43% not informing their insurers after receiving penalty points. This could potentially lead to policy invalidation or concerns regarding insurance fraud.
Claire Wills-McKissick, temporary car insurance expert at Tempcover, says: “It’s important to be honest with your insurance provider, accuracy ensures your coverage remains valid and protects you on the road.
Failing to promptly declare penalty points to your insurance company can lead to serious consequences, including policy invalidation, increased premiums, and potential insurance fraud charges.
If you have received penalty points, seek professional insurance advice but the best way to avoid insurance complications is to drive safely and follow traffic laws – giving you peace of mind every time you’re on the road.”
If you want to avoid penalty points on your licence, you should drive safely and follow the guidance of the Highway Code. Adhere to speed limits and red lights etc.
If you are caught speeding, you may be offered the opportunity to attend a speed awareness course, a National Driver Offender Retraining Scheme (NDORS) that focuses on educating a driver on the dangers of speeding and importance of road safety.
If you are accused of an offence, you can accept the penalty and pay the fine or challenge it if you feel you were not guilty. You should always inform your insurer of any potential penalty.
UK driving offences include speeding, racing, aggressive driving, ignoring traffic signals, and dangerous overtaking. Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, including prescription medications, is a serious offence. These offences result in fines, penalties, and pose significant safety risks to you and other road users.
In the UK, minor motoring offences like slight speeding or using a mobile while driving often lead to a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) instead of court. These 'minor' offences carry fines, penalty points, and if accumulated to 12 points within three years, a driving ban. Repeat offences can also increase insurance premiums. Despite seeming insignificant, these offences can have serious repercussions if not promptly addressed.
UK police forces often follow a 10% plus 2 mph guideline for speed enforcement, potentially issuing tickets at 79 mph in a 70 mph zone. However, this is a guideline, not a rule, and tickets can be issued for any speed over the limit. It's advisable to adhere to the speed limit to avoid penalties, which can include fines, licence points, speed awareness courses, or disqualification.
Driving in the UK with 12 points on your licence is prohibited. The 'totting-up' system results in a minimum six-month disqualification unless 'exceptional hardship' can be demonstrated. If you accumulate 12 points within three years, you face a ban. You must then await a court summons, prepare an 'exceptional hardship' case, and attend a hearing. If unsuccessful, you'll serve your ban.
You must legally inform your insurer about any penalty points on your driving licence immediately or at policy renewal. Failure to do so can invalidate your policy, leading to rejected claims. Although declaring points may increase your premium, it's crucial for maintaining valid cover. Non-disclosure is considered insurance fraud, potentially resulting in higher premiums or future insurance difficulties, even if the conviction has lapsed.
You can verify your penalty points online by completing a 'Driver Statement Form.' Ensure your name matches that on your driving licence or learner permit. Include your driver number and date of birth. This process provides a clear view of your driving record, aiding decisions about temporary car insurance needs.
To determine penalty points on your licence, view your driving licence record. It displays the points you've accumulated and their clearance date. Depending on the offence's severity, these endorsements may stay on your record for four or eleven years.
Yes, penalty points or endorsements can be checked online, as they're now only recorded electronically by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA). Visit the DVLA Shared Driving Licence Service online to view your current endorsements, offering a comprehensive overview of your driving record.
Legally, you can drive with 9 penalty points on your licence, but avoid accruing more within three years. Reaching 12 points could lead to a driving ban under the totting-up system. Some offences may allow a driver retraining course instead of additional points. If facing court, consider legal advice. You may argue exceptional hardship to avoid a ban.
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