More than three million drivers have at least three penalty points on their driving licences – the highest number of offenders since 2014, according to the latest DVLA data analysed by vehicle history platform carVertical.
And postcode district LS23, near the town of Wetherby in West Yorkshire, has the worst motoring offenders, with one in seven (14.1%) carrying at least three points on their licences. With just over 50 million full and provisional driving licence holders across England, Scotland & Wales, around one in 16 drivers have points on their licences.
Matas Buzelis, motoring expert at carVertical, said: “The number of UK drivers with at least three penalty points on their licence has now surpassed three million for the first time in over a decade – a concerning milestone.
“Speeding remains the most common reason drivers receive penalty points. While a few points may seem insignificant, they can remain on your driving record for four to 11 years, depending on the severity of the offence and may have lasting consequences.
“Although penalty points don’t appear on a vehicle’s history report, they can have serious personal consequences – not only increasing your insurance premiums but potentially putting your job at risk. For those who drive for a living or rely on their vehicle to commute, losing a licence can be career-ending.
“While there are signs that car insurance costs may be stabilising, premiums remain significantly higher than in previous years. For households already under financial strain, adding penalty points into the mix can lead to even steeper renewal quotes – putting further pressure on budgets at a time when every pound counts.”
