More than 14,000 newly qualified motorists had their driving licences revoked by the DVLA in 2025 under a little-known rule, according to data obtained through a Freedom of Information request.
The figures show that 14,845 newly qualified drivers lost their licence over the course of 2025, up from 13,099 the year before. Both totals are higher than in 2023, when the DVLA confiscated 10,449 photocards.
New Drivers Act threshold
The revocations were carried out under New Drivers Act powers, which apply a lower penalty points threshold to newly qualified road users. Brand new motorists are only allowed to accrue six points within two years of passing their test.
A DVLA statement in the FOI request read: “Under the terms of the NDA, drivers who accumulate six or more penalty points during their two-year probationary period will have their licence automatically revoked.”
Retaking the test
Drivers who breach the threshold completely lose their licence and are forced to retake their test to get back on the road. With DVSA data showing that driving test waiting lists are still over 10 weeks across most of the country, affected road users may have to wait a while to regain their freedoms.
In comparison, motorists who passed their test more than two years ago can accrue 12 penalty points on their licence. Offenders are also usually handed a temporary ban, meaning individuals won't need to retake an exam to get back behind the wheel.
Official guidance
GOV.UK added: “Your licence will be cancelled (revoked) if you get 6 or more points within 2 years of passing your test.
“Any penalty points on your provisional licence that have not expired will be carried over to your full licence when you pass your test. However, your licence will be cancelled if you get any further penalty points that take you up to a total of 6 or more within 2 years of passing your driving test.
“You’ll have to apply and pay for a new provisional licence and pass both theory and practical parts of the driving or riding test again to get a full licence.”
