How many points am I allowed on my driving licence?

How many points am I allowed on my driving licence?

In the UK, the majority of driving offences result in punishments consisting of fines and penalty points. Most offences have a fixed number of penalty points, which you can find on the Gov.uk website, however points for some offences may be determined in court and will depend on the circumstances of both the driving offence and the defendant. Here we will provide a guide to penalty points and their implications on your future as a driver.

If you are caught speeding you will be issued a fine and penalty points.

How do penalty points work?

Each driving offence has a special code and is given penalty points on a scale from two to ten. The more serious the offence is, the more points you will receive. In some cases immediate disqualification is mandatory.
If you are caught committing a driving offence, you will need to hand over your licence to the police, a fixed penalty office or when you appear in court. The penalty points will be put on your driver record and written on the counterpart document of your driving licence. The points on your licence will be effective for three years from the date of conviction and remain there for a minimum of four years.

After four years have passed since your Fixed Penalty Notice was served, you will be able to apply to the DVLA to have the points removed from your licence. If you commit a serious driving offence, the points can remain on your licence for up to eleven years.

Penalty points for new and experienced drivers

If you have held a full driving licence for more than two years, you can accumulate up to twelve penalty points in any three year period before being banned from driving. If however you have held a full driving licence for less than two years and accumulate six penalty points, your licence may be revoked under The New Drivers Act.

Disqualification

If you have accumulated the maximum number of points (outlined above) via several completely separate offences or you commit a serious offence that is deemed worth twelve points or more then you may be disqualified from driving. The time you are disqualified for will be dependent on the seriousness of your offences. If you are disqualified for less than fifty six days (for speeding or a similar offence) your licence will be returned to you at the end of the disqualification period and will be deemed valid, without any further testing.

If you have totted up twelve penalty points in any three year period, disqualification is mandatory. There are however some exemptions, which may lead to you retaining your driving licence. For this, you will require legal representation in court and must be able to justify a submission of exceptional hardship.

Exceptional hardship

Some individuals are able to retain their driving licences in the case of disqualification through proving exceptional hardship. There is no statutory definition of exceptional hardship, with conclusions being based on individual circumstances in court. In order to prove exceptional hardship, the consequences of you being banned from driving must be beyond what would be reasonable foreseeable. For example, whilst loss of job would not automatically be deemed as an exceptional hardship, the implications that arise from the loss of employment may amount to it.

Defendants are required to present their case in court and will require legal representation. See this article by Motor Lawyers for more information.

Impact on car insurance

If you have a motoring conviction, insurers will see you as being a higher risk driver. This will usually result in more expensive car insurance quotes. According to this article by Go Compare, how much your premium will increase by will depend on your insurance company’s conviction policy, the type of conviction, the type of vehicle and your age.

In some areas of the UK you may be able to take a driving awareness course for speeding and red light offences.

Alternatives to penalty points

In many areas of the UK, driving awareness courses can be taken in exchange for receiving penalty points for motoring offences. These courses are designed to educate drivers in hope that they will not make the same mistake again, rather than punishing them. If you are eligible to attend a speed awareness course or red light camera course you will be invited via a letter from the police.

Courses are usually expensive (in the region of £60.00 to £90.00) so either way, committing a driving offence is going to cost you money that you could avoid paying, by simply taking a little extra care on the roads.

Driving Theory Test

 

 

 

 

 

 

How hard can it be!

The driving theory test is testing your knowledge of the highway-code. It is essential to have a thorough knowledge of all the questions and answers. Lots of candidates make the mistake of entering the exam centre poorly prepared. Below is a list of questions with the correct answers. After having an attempt, if having answered them correctly probably you are ready for your driving theory test. If the answer is no, then you need to keep reading this article.

Driving Theory Test – Hardest Questions

You are in a collision with another moving vehicle. Someone is injured and your vehicle is damaged. Which FOUR of the following should you find out? Answers (A/B/C/E)
Mark four answers

A. Whether the driver owns the other vehicle involved
B. The other driver’s name, address and telephone number
C. The make and registration number of the other vehicle
D. The occupation of the other driver
E. The details of the other driver’s vehicle insurance
F. Whether the other driver is licensed to Drive

In which THREE of these situations may you overtake another vehicle on the left? Answers (A/C/E)

A. When you are in a one-way street
B. When approaching a motorway slip road where you will be turning off
C. When the vehicle in front is signalling to turn right
D. When a slower vehicle is travelling in the right-hand lane of a dual carriageway
E. In slow-moving traffic queues when traffic in the right-hand lane is moving more slowly

Where can you find reflective amber studs on a motorway? Answer (C)

A. Separating the slip road from the motorway
B. On the left-hand edge of the road
C. On the right-hand edge of the road
D. Separating the lanes

Areas reserved for trams may have: Answers (B/D/F)
Mark three answers

A. metal studs around them
B. white line markings
C. zigzag markings
D. a different coloured surface
E. yellow hatch markings
F. a different surface texture

What does this sign mean? Answer (B)

A. Two-way traffic straight ahead
B. Two-way traffic crosses a one-way road
C. Two-way traffic over a bridge
D. Two-way traffic crosses a two-way road

What does this sign mean? Answer (B)

A. End of restricted speed area
B. End of restricted parking area
C. End of clearway
D. End of cycle route

A cycle lane is marked by a solid white line. You must not drive or park in it: Answer (D)

A. at any time
B. during the rush hour
C. if a cyclist is using it
D. during its period of operation

In which THREE of these situations may you overtake another vehicle on the left? Answers (A/C/E)
A. When you are in a one-way street
B. When approaching a motorway slip road where you will be turning off
C. When the vehicle in front is signalling to turn right
D. When a slower vehicle is travelling in the right-hand lane of a dual carriageway
E. In slow-moving traffic queues when traffic in the right-hand lane is moving more slowly

You are involved in a collision. Because of this which THREE of these documents may the police ask you to produce? Answers (B/D/E)
Mark three answers

A. Vehicle registration document
B. Driving licence
C. Theory test certificate
D. Insurance certificate
E. MOT test certificate
F. Vehicle service record

You can drive on the hard shoulder when: Answer (B)

A. Braking
B. Directed by police officers or Highways Agency Traffic Officers in uniform
C. In gridlock traffic
D. Overtaking

Highways Agency Traffic Officers Answer (C)

A. Can stop you for speeding
B. Can give you a fine for illegal parking
C. Have no enforcement powers
D. Can do MOT checks

A vehicle travelling at 70mph covers about: Answer (A)

A. 30m per sec (100 ft)
B. 50m per sec (about 165 ft)
C. 70m per sec (about 230 ft)
D. 80m per sec (about 263 ft)

A driver behind you on a motorway flashes their headlights you should: Answer (A)
A. Stay calm
B. Move out of their way
C. Speed up a little
D. Slow down

Cyclists travelling at slow speeds are likely to: Answer (C)
A. Speed up
B. Give you an arm sign
C. Be unstable
D. Cycle up on the pavement

Powered vehicles used by disabled people have a maximum speed of:  Answer (D)
A. 30mph
B. 20mph
C. 12mph
D. 8mph

Powered vehicles used by disabled people on a dual carriageway should be: Answer (A)
A. Displaying an amber flashing light
B. Displaying a red flashing light
C. Displaying a green flashing light
D. Displaying a disabled badge

The survival rate of a pedestrian involved in a collision at 20mph is: Answer (D)
A. 50%
B. 65%
C. 85%
D. 95%

The survival rate of a pedestrian involved in a collision at 30mph is: Answer (D)
A. 5%
B. 15%
C. 25%
D. 50%

If someone in charge of animals signals you to stop. You should: Answer (C)
A. Flash your lights as a warning
B. Stop and turn on your hazard lights
C. Stop and turn off your engine
D. Stop

Horse-drawn vehicles should be treated in a similar way to: Answer (B)
A. Cyclists
B. Horses being ridden
C. Cars
D. Motor cycles

Pedestrians who are blind and deaf may carry a white cane with: Answer (A)
A. A red band
B. A blue band
C. A yellow band
D. No band

If a vehicle is approaching near a guide dog, the dog is trained to: Answer (D)
A. Bark
B. Turn around
C. Turn left
D. Wait

Accidents on monotonous roads (for example motorways) caused by fatigue accounts for: Answer (A)
A. 15-20% of accidents
B. 30-35% of accidents
C. 40-45% of accidents
D. 50% of accidents

On motorways you should leave a gap between you and the car in front at least: Answer (D)
A. 10m for each mph of your speed
B. 8m for each mph of your speed
C. 4m for each mph of your speed
D. 1m for each mph of your speed

The survival rate of a pedestrian involved in a collision at 40mph is: (A)
A. 5%
B. 15%
C. 25%
D. 35%

Drivers of large goods vehicles, buses, coaches or vehicles towing a trailer on a motorway are not allowed to: Answer (A)
A. Use the extreme right hand lane
B. Use the hard shoulder
C. Overtake
D. Drive faster than 40mph

Controlled motorways generally: Answer (B)
A. Have slower speed limits
B. Have signs advising drivers not to change lanes
C. Have no hard shoulder
D. Have no service stations

Crawler lanes help: Answer (D)
A. Motor cyclists
B. Learner drivers
C. Vehicles towing trailers
D. Heavy vehicles

If you miss your exit on a motorway you should: Answer (A)
A. Carry on to the next one
B. Stop on the hard shoulder
C. Slow down
D. Try to turn round

Contraflows are: Answer (B)
A. The opposite to a one way system
B. Temporary systems where traffic travelling in the opposite direction shares the same carriageway
C. Ring roads around a large town or city to ease congestion#
D. One way systems

When you are about to cross a ford, there may be: Answer (D)
A. Ducks
B. Fish
C. Cyclists
D. A depth gauge

When driving through flood water, you should: Answer (A)
A. Drive in 1st gear
B. Drive in 2nd gear
C. Drive in 3rd gear
D. Drive in 4th gear

M&S tyres are: Answer (D)
A. Manual and standard tyres
B. Mobile and Starting tyres
C. Marks and Spencer tyres
D. Mud and Snow tyres

A car at the side of the road is displaying a ‘Help’ pennant. They are a: Answer A)
A. Drive with a disability
B. Doctor
C. Learner Driver
D. Female driver

Marker posts with a telephone symbol on a motorway are: Answer (B)
A. 50m apart
B. 100m apart
C. 150m apart
D. 1 mile apart

If you hit a domestic or farm animal, you should: Answer (D)
A. Drive on
B. Phone the police
C. Phone the RSPCA
D. Try and find the owner

Cruise control: Answer (A)
A. Is good eco driving
B. Uses more fuel
C. Is bad for the environment
D. Is good for your tyres

Vehicles travelling at 70 mph use up to: Answer (D)
A. 60% more fuel than vehicles travelling at 50mph
B. 50% more fuel than vehicles travelling at 50mph
C. 40% more fuel than vehicles travelling at 50mph
D. 30% more fuel than vehicles travelling at 50mph

Using a higher gear can help: Answer (B)
A. Use more fuel
B. Use less fuel
C. Acceleration
D. Brake

LPG is an abbreviation of: Answer (C)
A. Leaded Petrol Gas
B. Liquid Potassium Gas
C. Liquid Petroleum Gas
D. Loaded Protocol Gas

Automatic cars use about: Answer (A)
A. 5% more fuel than a manual car
B. 10% more fuel than a manual car
C. 20% more fuel than a manual car
D. 30% more fuel than a manual car

The speed limit on a motorway if you are towing is: Answer (B)
A. 50mph
B. 60mph
C. 65mph
D. 70mph

Wiping away any marks on your windscreen left by your Satnav can help: Answer (A)
A. The security of your car
B. Visibility
C. Driving at night
D. Remind you where you last put the satnav

In an automatic, kick-down is a device for: Answer (D)
A. Slowing down
B. Parking
C. Cruising
D. Acceleration

4×4 have very large: Answer (C)
A. Steering wheels
B. Rear windows
C. Blind spots
D. Gears

You have a problem with your vehicle if it pulls to one side when you press:  Answer (A)
A. Your brake
B. Your clutch
C. Your accelerator
D. Your handbrake

When accompanying a learner driver, you must be: Answer (C)
A. Over 17 years old
B. Over 18 years old
C. Over 21 years old
D. Over 22 years old

SORN stands for: Answer (A)
A. Statutory Off Road Notification
B. Stationary Off Road Notice
C. Statutory On Road Number
D. Stationary Only Road Notification

Vehicle Excise Duty is often called: Answer (D)
A. VAT
B. Car insurance
C. MOT
D. Road Tax

A child in the front seat under 3 years old: Answer (B)
A. Should not be
B. Should use the correct child restraint
C. Should sit in the lap of an adult
D. Should use a seat belt

PAS is an abbreviation of: Answer (A)
A. Power assisted steering
B. Passenger air safety
C. Power assisted seat
D. Positional added safety

Avoid braking: Answer (D)
A. Up hills
B. Down hills
C. In the wet
D. On bends

Pull push technique is associated with: Answer (C)
A. Learning to drive
B. Progressive braking
C. Steering
D. Defensive driving

Vehicles with bomb disposal experts may use: Answer (D)
A. Flashing red light
B. Flashing green light
C. Flashing yellow light
D. Flashing blue light

If a vehicle is driving too close behind you should: Answer (B)
A. Speed up very gradually
B. Slow down very gradually
C. Brake twice
D. Use arm signals

Vehicles can overtake on the left: Answer (A)
A. In a one way street
B. On a dual carriageway
C. On a motorway
D. On a ring road

You need a structure to your study.

Google the best apps and software for studying the driving theory test. The apps and software with the highest rankings make the best material. Try not to use free software as it does not cover all the study material.
When you have chosen the material that suits your needs best, set out a realistic study period. They are 950 questions in the bank of questions and a large number of  hazard clips to study. If you cover 50 questions and 5 hazard clips each day, in 1 week you have covered 350 questions and 35 hazard clips.
Make sure you go through all the questions first before starting the mock tests. The software will only ask questions on what you have gone through. Example; you have studied 300 questions and start the mock test. The questions asked will only cover the 300 you have studied.
Do at least 10 hours of driving lessons before booking your test as this gives a better understanding of the highway code.
If you struggle with studying and feel you are not making progress, book your driving theory test. This will give a deadline and motivation. The waiting period for the driving theory test is about 3 weeks.