Drivers in the UK were hit with a record 5.6 million penalty points on their licences last year, a figure likely fuelled by the proliferation of 20mph speed limit zones and advanced camera technology. This total, equivalent to more than 15,000 points per day, rose from 5.4 million in 2024, 4.86 million in 2023, and 4.5 million in 2022.
Key Offences Behind the Surge
Figures obtained by the Daily Mirror under Freedom of Information laws from the DVLA reveal that motorists committed a range of offences, including speeding, mobile phone use behind the wheel, driving without insurance, and careless driving. Speeding accounted for the largest share, with 3 million penalty points issued on smaller roads and an additional 730,000 for motorway speeding.
Driving without insurance resulted in 475,000 points, while using a mobile phone while driving contributed 230,000 points. The data covers drivers receiving between one and 11 points per offence, with three-point penalties being the most common. In total, there were 1.53 million incidents resulting in points in 2025, up from 1.32 million two years earlier.
Impact of 20mph Zones
Separate figures released last month indicated that nearly one million drivers received points on their licence last year, a 32% increase from 678,367 in 2022, excluding motorway offences. Experts partly attribute this rise to the blanket introduction of 20mph zones across parts of Britain. Many motorists complain that these limits are often applied on roads where they are unnecessary, difficult to adhere to, or have confusing signage.
According to transport consultancy Insight Warehouse, more than a sixth of British roads now have a 20mph speed limit, covering 39,000 miles of the nation's 246,500-mile road network.
Expert Commentary
Jack Cousens, head of roads policy at The AA, commented: 'The advancement of camera technology is helping police forces catch people breaking the law. Be it speed cameras, or new AI cameras that can detect people not wearing their seatbelt, or using a hand-held mobile phone, drivers should remember there is a chance they'll be caught.'
