REVEALED: The driver with the highest number of points on their licence in Peterborough - and how many have more than 12
While most people think if they hit 12 points on their driving licence, they will get a driving ban, that is not always the case.
Most drivers pick up a disqualification if they get the dozen – but the law does allow, in some circumstances, people to continue behind the wheel if they hit that milestone.
Now The Peterborough Telegraph can reveal how many points one driver has on their licence – and has been able to continue to get behind the wheel.
A Freedom of Information Request has revealed that the driver with the most points in Peterborough – who is still allowed to drive – has a whopping 25 points.
The Freedom of Information Request also showed that a total of 52 drivers have at least 12 points, but were not banned.
The figures include both full and provisional licence holders, and are for the PE1-PE8 postcodes.
In the past, road safety charity Brake has called on all drivers who get 12 points to be banned – however, the law does allow, in some circumstances, people to retain their licence if they get to 12 points.
What does the law say?
Most ‘totting’ disqualifications start as six months bans - but can be reduced or extended due to mitigating or aggravating features.
Many are able to drive despite totting up the points after magistrates said there were ‘exceptional circumstances’ or a ban would cause ‘exceptional hardship.’
The DVLA said that in a small percentage of cases where the driver has accumulated 12 or more penalty points, the Agency understands that a court can exercise its discretion and not disqualify the driver.
In the majority of these cases, Magistrates may have decided to allow drivers to retain their entitlement to drive where it is considered that disqualification would cause exceptional hardship. The DVLA checks with courts when a driver’s 12 current penalty point threshold is met or exceeded but where a disqualification is not imposed at the time of the conviction.
Drivers can pick up points for a range of offences – from speeding, to driving without due care and attention, jumping red traffic lights to using a car with defective lights.
The number of points handed out often depends on the seriousness of the case.
Exceptional hardship rules allow people to argue they should not lose their licence. A person losing their job if they were to be disqualified from driving, for example, would not automatically qualify them to argue they would face exceptional hardship – but arguments such as a child having to move school, or someone being unable to carry out important caring responsibilities might. People may only use each argument in court once.
Penalty points remain on your licence for three years. They will also remain on your driving record from 4 to 11 years, depending on the severity of the conviction.
The law is slightly different for new drivers, who receive a ban if they get six points within two years of passing their test.