Thousands of learner drivers racking up penalty points, figures show

More than 5,000 learner drivers in the UK already have nine or more points on their licence before they have even passed their test, according to new figures.

The shocking statistics revealed in a Freedom of Interest (FOI) request from the DVLA thanks to Birmingham specialist motoring lawyer Manjinder Kang, of Kang and Co Solicitors, shows in total 5,148 provisional licence holders currently have nine or more penalty points.

An an alarming 789 having 12 or more penalty points - over the legal threshold for a driving ban - despite not even having passed their test.

Mr Kang (pictured) is now calling for more to be done to educate new drivers and help them understand motoring laws which could result in penalty points.

The motoring expert, who has worked on a number of high-profile cases in the city, said: “The number of learner drivers on our roads with more than 12 points, or just under the driving ban threshold, is alarming.

“More needs to be done to educate drivers of the risks and highlight the motoring laws which could see them quickly racking up points.

“It would not only help our young drivers but keep all our road users safer. ”

Full licence holders face being disqualified for at least six months if they rack up 12 or more points on their licence in a three year period. However, some drivers are spared a ban when they reach this threshold due to exceptional hardship resulting in some drivers being able to continue to drive.

In the UK, in total 105,404 licence holders currently have 9 or more penalty points, this includes 9,231 drivers with 12 or more points.

For learner drivers, who should only be driving with supervision as they have not passed their test, 3,065 have 9 points, 669 have 10 points, 625 have 11 points, 394 have 12 points and 395 already have more than 12 penalty points despite not even passing their test.

Drivers can receive three penalty points for anything from a faulty headlight and parking across a junction to not wearing the correct glasses.

Mr Kang added: “It is important drivers are aware of the rules of the road and make sure that they keep their car well maintained. Poor judgement can easily find you facing a lengthy driving ban as the recent shocking figures show.

“It is alarming the number of learner drivers that have already got high numbers of penalty points on their licence especially considering that they have not passed their test and should be supervised when driving. It really is a cause for concern. ”