

Once you have passed your practical driving test you'll
no longer need your L-plates, right? Not if you drive outwith the law….let us
explain.
For most of us, passing
our practical driving test means that we no longer need to rely on getting from A to B via public transport
or the taxi service provided by our parents', friends or loved ones. Instead, we are free to travel as and
when we please at our own convenience. Finally, we have a new found independence!
However, imagine for a moment how you would feel if you suddenly lost your newly-found freedom.
Imagine if you lost your hard-won driving licence almost as soon as you had passed your practical driving test just
because of a careless/thoughtless act, or both…how would you feel? Gutted? I'm sure you would
be.
6 Point
Limit
Anyone passing their practical driving test since 1997 has been placed on probation. If you receive 6
points within 2 years of passing your practical driving test, your licence will be revoked…simple! As a learner
driver you will once again need to display L-plates, you won't be able to drive on the
motorway and you must be accompanied by someone over 21 who has held a full UK
driving licence for at least 3 years.
Be warned - there is no
quick fix to securing a new full and valid UK driving licence once it's been revoked. You will need to apply
for another provisional driving licence and resit both your theory and practical driving tests again.
In other words, you'll be back to square one and all your hard work and money used to
pass both test the first time around will have been wasted…all because of your own stupidity. Both resits
will be the same as a normal theory and practical driving test, but if your crime
is serious enough, you might even be required to sit an extended practical driving
test.
A driving ban can also
have other painful repercussions once you finally regain your full UK driving licence.
Here's a list of some of the problems you might encounter:
|
Dramatically increased insurance
quotes; |
|
Endorsements on your new licence for
at least 4 years and up to 11 year for serious offenses; |
|
If you need a driving licence to
hold down our job, you may well lose your job; |
|
That new job that was nearly
your...many employers won't employ someone without a valid UK driving licence; |
Taking the
Penalty
If you accumulate 6 or
more penalty points within 2 years of passing your UK practical driving test, you will receive a letter
telling you that your driving licence is no longer valid and that you will need to
retake both your theory and practical driving tests before you can drive again.
Offence & Points
|
Offence
|
Points
|
| Going through a red light |
3
|
| Using a mobile phone while
driving |
3
|
| Speeding |
3-6
|
| Driving when disqualified |
6
|
| Driving without insurance |
6-8
|
| Careless Driving |
3-9
|
| Failing to stop after an
accident |
5-10
|
| Dangerous driving |
3-11
|
| Attempting to drive when undit through drink or
drugs |
3-11
|
Offence &
Points
|
Offence
|
Imprisonment
|
Fine
|
Disqualification
|
Penalty
Points
|
Causing death by
dangerous driving |
14 years
|
Unlimited
|
Obligatory -2
years minimum
|
3-11*
|
Causing death by
careless driving under
the influence of drink
or drugs |
14 years
|
Unlimited
|
Obligatory -2
years minimum
|
3-11*
|
| Dangerous driving |
2 years
|
Unlimited
|
Obligatory -1
years minimum
|
3-11*
|
Driving while undit
through drink or drugs
or with excess alcohol;
or ailing to provide a
specimen for analysis |
6 months
|
£5000
|
Obligatory
|
3-11*
|
Failing to stop after an
accident or failing to report an accident |
6 months
|
£5000
|
Discretionary
|
5-10
|
| Driving without insurance |
N/A
|
£5000
|
Discretionary
|
6-8
|
| Speeding |
|
£1000 (£2500
for motorway
offences)
|
Discretionary
|
3-6 or 3
(fixed penalty)
|
*If exceptionally not disqualified
Keeping your
licence Drink and drugs are not
the only causes of bad driving. Losing your driving licence is much easier than getting it -
so it's up to you to ensure that you keep hold of it. The only way to do this is to
ensure that you practice safe driving and stick to the rules of the road. It's in your
hands!
Remember the 2 strikes and your out policy. If you
get charged with 2 minor offences (and receive 6 points) within 2 years
of passing your practical driving test, your driving licence will be revoked.
Example - you get
flashed by a speeding camera or get caught using your mobile phone whilst driving, that's it - you will
have your licence revoked! You have been warned.
|