9,000 drivers on 12 points or more

Nearly 9,000 motorists in the UK are still driving with 12 points on their driving licence, according to new figures released today by the Co-operative Motor Group.

A maximum tally of 12 points on your driving licence should lead to a driving ban. However, authorities can use discretion in banning motorists based on individual cases.

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These newly uncovered Driver Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) statistics highlight that for many drivers, the punishment for certain driving offences is not a large enough deterrent for them to drive within the law.

A spokesperson from the DVLA explained: “The DVLA’s role is to record the information provided by the courts. The courts are able to use their discretion to decide whether or not to disqualify a driver.

“However, the statistics are likely to include cases where drivers have served their period of disqualification and successfully re-applied for their driving licences.”

If the courts deem a disqualification offence to be serious enough, banned motorists may have to undertake an extended test when reapplying for their licence. This means a longer, more demanding examination to check their driving standards.

And with speed cameras and modern Automatic Number Plate Recognition technology, modern motorists in the UK are constantly watched over; meaning poor or unlawful driving is less likely to go unpunished.

According to the figures – which were released under a freedom of information act request – Blackpool has the highest proportion of drivers with 12 points or more.

Here’s the full top 10:

10) Preston 9) Hull Doncaster 7) Bradford 6) Peterborough 5) Liverpool 4) Rotherham 3) Manchester 2) Oldham 1) Blackpool

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