MORE than 2.75 million motorists (2,783,645) across England, Scotland and Wales currently have at least three points on their driving licences for motoring offences, according to the latest DVLA data analysed by car leasing comparison website LeaseLoco.
Halifax officially has the worst drivers in Great Britain – more than one-in-ten (10.7%) full driving licence holders registered in the HX postcode area, have at least three penalty points.
Similarly, more than one-in-ten full driving licence holders registered in Bradford (BD postcode area) and Leeds (LS postcode area) have at least three points on their licences.
Birmingham has the most drivers penalised for motoring offences in any single postcode area – almost 80,000 motorists (78,004) registered in the B postcode area have at least three points. And more than 20,000 are multiple offenders, with at least six points.
The courts endorse driving licences with penalty points if a driver is convicted of a motoring offence. The most common reason is breaking the speed limit on a public road.
A motorist can be disqualified from driving if they build up 12 or more points within a period of three years. Across England, Scotland and Wales, 10,415 drivers have at least 12 points on their driving licences.
Over 94,000 drivers (94,088) currently have nine penalty points on their licences, and are one more motoring offence away from receiving an automatic ban.
John Wilmot, CEO of car leasing comparison website LeaseLoco said:
“Across England, Scotland and Wales almost three million people have at least three penalty points on their driving licences, with a large number of these fines incurred for speeding.
“Motorists need to remember that penalty points stay on your licence for four years and up to eleven years, depending upon the offence you committed.
“Having points on your licence will almost certainly lead to a higher insurance premium as insurers consider the risk factors associated with a given customer when calculating the premiums.
“And at a time when millions of people are already struggling with the cost of living, higher car insurance premiums will sting more than ever.
“With car insurance premiums already significantly higher than 12 months ago, and not likely to fall any time soon, committing a motoring offence isn’t just a danger to other road users, it is likely to significantly hurt you in the pocket too.”
