Revealed: Over 65,000 Learner Drivers Have Points on Their Licences

By Blind Spot DriveBlog

Revealed: Over 65,000 Learner Drivers Have Points on Their Licences

Outline of the Article

1. Introduction to the Issue of Points on Learner Licences
   • Background on provisional licences and point accumulation
   • Explanation of the recent findings by Moneyshake
2. What Are Penalty Points and Why Do They Matter?
   • Definition and purpose of penalty points
   • How points impact learner drivers specifically
3. The Data Behind the Numbers
   • Overview of Moneyshake’s findings
   • Breakdown of learner drivers with points by category
4. Risk of Licence Revocation Before Qualification
   • Explanation of licence revocation rules
   • How accumulating points on a provisional licence affects the full licence
5. Breakdown of Points on Provisional Licences
   • Detailed statistics by point categories (1-3, 4-6, 7-9, 10+)
6. Carrying Points Over to Full Licences
   • What happens to points once learners pass their test
   • Potential consequences on full licence for existing points
7. How Long Do Points Stay on a Licence?
   • Difference between active and recorded points
   • Duration for different types of offences
8. Gender Differences in Points Accumulation
   • Findings showing a higher rate in men compared to women
9. Age Group Trends: Learners in Their Twenties Lead in Points
   • Explanation of why young drivers might accumulate more points
10. Common Offences Leading to Points on Learner Licences

• Top five offences associated with six or more points

11. Using Mobile Phones While Driving
    • Risks and penalties associated with this offence
12. Driving Without Insurance
    • Why it’s risky and how it contributes to point accumulation
13. Driving Under the Influence
    • Penalties and the danger it poses
14. Failure to Identify the Driver
    • Explanation of the offence and its penalties
15. Driving While Disqualified
    • Consequences and seriousness of the offence
16. How to Avoid Accumulating Points as a Learner
    • Practical advice for learner drivers
17. Conclusion
    • Recap of the findings and final thoughts
18. FAQs
    • Five common questions on penalty points for learner drivers

Revealed: Over 65,000 Learner Drivers Have Points on Their Licence

Accumulating points on a driving licence before even passing the test might sound surprising, but it’s a reality for many learner drivers in the UK. A recent investigation by Moneyshake, a leasing comparison website, reveals a staggering number of learner drivers with penalty points on their provisional licences—over 65,000 to be exact. These infractions don’t just increase risk on the road; they also jeopardize a learner’s chances of obtaining a full licence. Let’s dive into what this means, how it happens, and how to avoid falling into this trap.

What Are Penalty Points and Why Do They Matter?

Penalty points are essentially warning markers on a driving licence. They’re intended to discourage risky or illegal behaviour by creating consequences for offences like speeding, driving uninsured, or using a mobile phone while driving. For learner drivers, accumulating these points has even more significant implications, as they are still in the process of qualifying for a full driving licence.

The Data Behind the Numbers

According to Moneyshake’s findings from a Freedom of Information request to the DVLA, here’s the breakdown of points among learner drivers:

• 1-3 points: 21,640 learners
• 4-6 points: 30,972 learners
• 7-9 points: 10,639 learners
• 10+ points: 1,803 learners

In total, these figures amount to 65,054 learner drivers who have accumulated points on their provisional licences.

Risk of Licence Revocation Before Qualification

For new drivers, licence rules are especially strict. A new driver who amasses six or more points within the first two years of obtaining a full licence will have it revoked. For learner drivers, points accumulated on their provisional licence carry over to their full licence. This means that even before they hit the road as qualified drivers, some learners are already one step away from losing their licence due to excessive points.

Breakdown of Points on Provisional Licences

The data shows that learner drivers are stacking up points, with some even in the highest point categories:

• 21,640 learners with 1-3 points
• 30,972 learners with 4-6 points
• 10,639 learners with 7-9 points
• 1,803 learners with 10+ points

These figures suggest that many learners are repeatedly committing offences before they’ve even passed their driving test.

Carrying Points Over to Full Licences

Once learners pass their test, any points on their provisional licence will transfer to their full licence. If these points total six or more, a single additional offence could trigger licence revocation, requiring the driver to reapply for a provisional licence and retake both theory and practical tests.

How Long Do Points Stay on a Licence?

Penalty points typically remain “active” for three years, meaning they contribute to potential driving penalties. However, they stay on the licences record for four years, and for serious offences, points can remain active for 10 years and stay recorded for 11 years.

Gender Differences in Points Accumulation

Interestingly, the data highlights a disparity between genders: 52,802 male learners have points on their licences compared to only 12,252 female learners. This trend is consistent across all point categories, suggesting that male learners are more likely to commit traffic offences.

Age Group Trends: Learners in Their Twenties Lead in Points

The DVLA data also reveals that learner drivers in their twenties are the biggest offenders. With 26,552 learners in their twenties holding points on their provisional licences, this age group shows the highest rate of penalties, potentially due to a mix of inexperience and risk-taking behaviours.

Common Offences Leading to Points on Learner Licences

Learner drivers often face points for a few common offences, many of which carry penalties of six points or more. Here are some of the primary causes:

Using Mobile Phones While Driving

Distracted driving is a serious hazard, and using a mobile phone while behind the wheel can result in a six-point penalty. It’s a straightforward rule to follow: keep your phone out of reach while driving.

Driving Without Insurance

Driving without insurance carries significant penalties. It’s illegal and poses a financial risk if an accident occurs, resulting in both fines and penalty points.

Driving Under the Influence

Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is extremely dangerous and carries strict penalties. Learners caught driving impaired can face six or more points, a fine, and potentially even a criminal record.

Failure to Identify the Driver

If a driver fails to identify themselves after being caught on a traffic camera, they may face six points. This offence often occurs if the driver tries to evade responsibility for their actions.

Driving While Disqualified

Driving while disqualified is a severe offence that leads to immediate consequences, including six penalty points and possibly an extended ban or further legal action.

How to Avoid Accumulating Points as a Learner

The best way to avoid points is to follow traffic rules and make safe driving choices. Avoid distractions, ensure you have proper insurance, and never drive under the influence. If learners can remember these simple rules, they can keep their licence clean and reduce their risk of starting their driving journey with penalties.

Conclusion

The numbers are clear: a surprising number of learner drivers are racking up points on their provisional licences, putting them at risk of losing their licence before they even pass the test. With strict rules in place for new drivers, staying mindful of traffic laws and making safe driving choices can help learners maintain a clean driving record and start their journey on the right track.

FAQs

Q1: Can learner drivers lose their licence before passing their test?
A1: Yes, if a learner driver accumulates excessive points, they risk revocation of their provisional licence.

Q2: Do points on a provisional licence carry over to a full licence?
A2: Yes, any points earned on a provisional licence will transfer to the full licence once the driver passes their test.

Q3: How many points lead to a licence revocation for new drivers?
A3: Six or more points in the first two years of driving can lead to a licence revocation for new drivers.

Q4: Which age group has the most penalty points among learner drivers?
A4: Learners in their twenties have the most penalty points according to recent data.

Q5: What offences commonly lead to penalty points on a provisional licence?
A5: Common offences include using a mobile phone while driving, driving uninsured, and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

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