penalty points

Every day, on average, 10 people are killed, and around 120 are seriously injured in road accidents

The minimum tread depth for cars is 1.6mm across the central 3/4 of the tyre, and around the entire circumference of the tyre.

If a driver is disqualified for collecting 12 or more points, then the minimum disqualification will be for 6 months. The minimum period of disqualification will increase if the driver has previous disqualifications on his licence in the three years before the date of the new offence. A disqualification under these provisions will “wipe the slate clean”. This means that the points accumulated on the licence before the ban will not be counted again. However, the court can decide that the minimum period of disqualification should be reduced or that the driver should not be disqualified at all. In deciding this, the court must not take into account the following things:

facts which are said to make the offences less serious or not serious
the fact that disqualification will cause hardship.

The Court can, however, take into account exceptional hardship. For example, a disabled driver may convince the court that the loss of his licence would cause him exceptional hardship. The Court may decide not to disqualify at all. Points will still be added to the driver's licence.

facts which have been taken into account during the past three years, under this procedure, so as to reduce or avoid disqualification.

The crucial point here is that if the driver is successful in putting forward a case for exceptional hardship, he will not be able to rely on the same reason should he collect further points in the next three years.

causing death by dangerous driving	10 years	unlimited	obligatory 2 years min	3-11
dangerous driving	2 years	unlimited	obligatory	3-11
causing death by careless diving under the influence of drink or drugs	10 years	unlimited	obligatory 2 years min	3-11
careless or inconsiderate driving	-	£2,500	discretionary	3-9
driving whilst unfit through drink or drugs	6 months	£5,000	obligatory	3-11
failing to stop or report an accident	6 months	£5,000	discretionary	5-10
driving when disqualified	12 months	£5,000	discretionary	6
driving after refusal or revocation licence on medical grounds	6 months	£5,000	discretionary	3-6
driving without insurance	-	£5,000	discretionary	6-8
driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence	-	£1,000	discretionary	3-6
speeding	-	£1,000 £2,500 for motorway offences	discretionary	3-6
traffic light offences	-	£1,000	discretionary	3
no MOT	-	£1,000	-	-
seatbelt offences	-	£1,000	-	-
dangerous cycling	-	£2,500	-	-
careless cycling	-	£1,000	-	-
cycling on pavement	-	£500	-	-
failing to identify driver of a vehicle	-	£1,000	discretionary	3

-	FRONT SEAT (all vehicles)	REAR SEAT (cars & small minibuses)	WHOSE RESPONSIBILITY
DRIVER	MUST be worn if fitted	-	DRIVERS
CHILD under 3 years of age	appropriate child restraint MUST be worn	appropriate child restraint MUST be worn if available	DRIVERS
CHILD aged 3 to 11, and under 1.5m in height.	appropriate child restraint MUST be worn if available. If not, an adult seat belt MUST be worn	appropriate child restraint MUST be worn if available. If not, an adult seat belt MUST be worn if available	DRIVERS
CHILD aged 12 to 13, or younger child 1.5m or more in height	adult seat belt MUST be worn if available	adult seat belt MUST be worn if available	DRIVERS
PASSENGER over the age of 14	MUST be worn if available	MUST be worn if available	PASSENGERS