More than 4,000 motorists in the UK are legally permitted to drive despite accumulating 12 or more penalty points for speeding, according to data obtained by the RAC from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA). The findings have prompted calls for the government to mandate speed-limiting technology for repeat offenders.
Under the UK's 'totting up' system, drivers who amass 12 or more points within three years typically face an automatic six-month ban. However, motorists can avoid disqualification if they successfully argue in court that a ban would cause 'exceptional hardship', such as loss of livelihood or inability to care for vulnerable family members.
The investigation revealed extreme cases of repeat offending, with 117 licence-holders having more than 20 points solely from speeding violations. In the most severe case, one driver remained on the road despite 45 penalty points. Speeding offences carry three to six points, with additional points for other dangerous behaviours.
In response, the RAC is backing the Stop Excessive Speeders campaign, which urges the government to grant courts the power to order repeat offenders to install Intervening Intelligent Speed Assistance (IISA) devices. Unlike advisory systems, IISA actively prevents vehicles from exceeding speed limits. RAC head of policy Simon Williams said: 'A better solution for people like this would be for them to have devices fitted to their vehicles that prevent them speeding again.'
A Department for Transport spokesperson defended the current framework, stating that courts are responsible for evaluating hardship claims, but noted that reforms are under consideration. 'Our road safety strategy sets out action to strengthen enforcement, and we have recently consulted on changes to the motoring offences framework,' they added.
