33 new drivers a day lose their licence

Last year, nearly 1,000 new drivers every month — or 33 every day — lost their licence after clocking up six penalty points within two years of passing their driving test.

DVLA data obtained by road safety charity Brake reveals that 11,953 new drivers had their licence revoked in 2018, with those aged 17-24 making up almost two thirds (62%) of the total.

Under the New Drivers Act, new drivers lose their licence if they accumulate six points within the first two years — equivalent to the penalty for using a handheld mobile phone while driving or two speeding offences. In order to get back behind the wheel, they must re-apply and pay for a new provisional licence and pass both theory and practical parts of the driving test again.

According to Brake, drivers aged 17-24 are disproportionately at risk on Britain’s roads, representing only 7% of all licence holders but almost a fifth of all drivers killed and seriously injured on the roads.

Joshua Harris, director of campaigns for Brake, said the “shocking” figures show that the licensing system needs to be tightened up “so that when a driver passes their test, they have all the necessary tools and knowledge to drive safely on all roads and in all conditions”.

Harris called for “swift and decisive action” to introduce graduated driver licensing across the UK and ensure new drivers have the skills and experience they need.

The UK Government’s road safety action plan announced in July proposes a system of graduated driver licensing with restrictions on new drivers such as not driving with passengers under a certain age in the car and not driving at night. Similar schemes already operate in Sweden, New Zealand and parts of Australia, Canada and the United States.

The Department for Transport said that further research would help build an evidence base to fully understand how graduated licensing might work.

Brake wants to see a comprehensive graduated driver licensing system across the UK including a 12-month learner period, an initial test, and then a two-year novice period when drivers can drive independently but with restrictions such as a late-night driving curfew.

If you’re looking to get back in the driving seat after losing your licence, contact the Insurance Factory and get a quote for convicted driver insurance. We never judge and we always treat you as an individual, looking at your circumstances to arrange the right cover for your needs.

http://www.brake.org.uk/media-centre/1949-33-new-drivers-have-licences-revoked-every-day-in-2018

https://inews.co.uk/inews-lifestyle/cars/1000-new-drivers-a-month-have-their-licence-revoked-633241