A 26-year-old man from Flintshire, North Wales, holds a valid UK driving licence—despite racking up an unbelievable 229 penalty points. He’s not alone: over 50 drivers in the UK are still legally driving with 30 or more points on their records.
This jaw-dropping situation has sparked fresh calls for stricter rules, including mandatory retraining and retesting for repeat offenders to prove they’re fit to be behind the wheel.
Data from August 2024, obtained by the BBC through a Freedom of Information (FOI) request to the DVLA, reveals that 10,000 drivers across England, Wales, and Scotland have 12 or more points on their licence—typically the threshold for a driving ban.
Among these, three men have over 100 points each, while the highest for a woman is 96 points, held by a 50-year-old driver.
UK drivers can earn penalty points for a wide range of offences, including:
- Speeding
- Running red lights
- Using a phone while driving
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Dangerous driving
- Failing to stop after an accident
- Driving without insurance or a valid license
Points can also be issued for less obvious mistakes, like not wearing a seatbelt or failing to obey road signs.
Under UK law, hitting 12 points within three years typically triggers a six-month driving ban. However, there are exceptions:
- Points reset to zero once three years pass.
- Drivers can argue in court that a ban would cause “exceptional hardship” (like job loss). If successful, they’re allowed to keep their license, even with 12 or more points.
This loophole has sparked debate over whether tougher rules are needed to ensure repeat offenders face real consequences.
What do you think—should the system be stricter?
