Driver with 40 penalty points didn’t even have a licence!

The Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) has discovered that a motorist from Lewisham has racked up an astounding 40 points for 12 offences despite never having held a full or even a provisional driving licence, according to information supplied by the DVLA in February. The offences include speeding in a 30mph zone and driving without insurance.

The Freedom of Information request submitted by the IAM asked for the top 20 highest points holders, and also shows two other offenders with no licence.

The second-highest penalty points holder, without a licence, is a male offender from the Stockport area, with 33 penalty points for seven offences – which include being caught for speeding in a 30mph zone and repeatedly failing to disclose information as to the identity of the driver.

Rounding up the top three without a licence is a man from Leeds with 28 penalty points for five offences including ‘driving uninsured against third party risks and driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence.’

IAM chief executive Sarah Sillars said: “It’s been three years since the IAM raised this issue with the DVLA, but we still have drivers on the road with multiple points allocated to them. Now we discover that some of them have never held any kind of driving licence. We all have to share the road with these unqualified, uninsured and dangerous drivers.

“We need to punish offenders as well as give them the opportunity to change their ways. Offenders are unlikely to drive legally if they face a ban or points on their licence as soon as they pass their test.”

England and Wales’ highest points holder continues to be a man from Liverpool who holds 45 penalty points on a full driving licence. He collected six penalty points on three separate occasions for speeding in a 30mph zone. And another six points on five other occasions because he failed to provide information about the identity of the driver – he carries the same number points today as he did in 2014.

Other notable offenders include a female from Blackburn with 38 penalty points, the third highest points total on record.  She has been caught breaking the speed limit in a 30mph zone on 10 different occasions.

Wales’ highest penalty points holder is a man with 36 points for driving without insurance six times.

Penalty points explained…

Each endorsement has a special code and is given ‘penalty points’ on a scale from 1 to 11 – the more serious the offence, the more points you get. Offences include everything from failing to stop after an accident to using a defective vehicle.

Codes and penalty points stay on your driving licence for four to 11 years, depending on the offence. If you’ve held your licence for less than two years, get more than six points and you’ll lose your licence and have to pass (and pay) both the theory and practical parts of the driving or riding test – again.

For those drivers who have held their licence for over two years, you can be banned from driving if you are convicted of a driving offence or if you get 12 or more penalty points within three years.

A DVLA spokeswoman said: “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.”