According to the results of a recent Freedom of Information (FOI) request, 77,406 learner drivers already have points on their provisional licences in the UK. The data from the Driver and Vehicle Licencing Agency (DVLA) also showed that, 81% of drivers with points on their licence are male, with just 19% being female.
Looking further into the study, 449 drivers over the age of 70 have penalty points on their provisional licence – however, learner drivers aged between 20 and 29 years old were the most likely to suffered from being issued points.
In total, 25,488 provisional licence holders in this category have broken the rules of the road and been issued with points.
Learner drivers aged 30-39 saw 17,712 provisional licenses hit with points. These were followed by ages 40-49 (8,976) and 50-59 (4,663).
When looking at the ages of learner drivers who have been caught breaking the law – over 170,000 points were issued to 29,690 people with Provisionals. Altogether, 419,449 points were issued to 77,402 provisional licence holders.
The study was issued by Select Car Leasing, and found that the UK’s most dangerous learner driver is a 43-year-old man who has amassed 63 points.
Further revelations from the data found that London and the South East were the by far the regions that have the worst learner drivers. However, Northampton and Perth also featured in the top 10.
What is a Provisional Driving Licence
A provisional driving licence in the UK is a licence that allows you to learn and practice driving on public roads.
It is valid for 10 years and must be held for a minimum of 12 months before you can take the practical driving test and receive a full licence.
The provisional driving licence is issued by the DVLA. To be eligible for one, you must be at least 15 years and 9 months old and be able to prove your identity, address, and nationality. You must also pass a theory test before you can apply for a provisional licence.
Once you have a provisional licence, you must be supervised by an approved driving instructor when driving on public roads and you must display ‘L’ plates on the front and rear of the vehicle.
You will also be restricted to certain speed limits and must not carry passengers under the age of 21 who are not related to you.
A provisional licence is the first step to becoming a fully qualified driver, and is an important part of the process. It is important to bear in mind that driving on a provisional licence is a privilege, and that you must abide by the rules, or your licence may be revoked.
Learning to drive is an important step in life, and respecting the laws is vital for all road users.
In the context of receiving penalty points on your provisional driving licence, there are some crucial lessons all learners should be aware of.
You can get penalty points on a provisional licence before passing a driving test for breaking the same offences that drivers with full licences.
These include speeding, careless driving, failing to stop at a red light, using a mobile phone while behind the wheel, drink driving, driving while under the influence of drugs and driving without insurance.
If you accumulate 12 or more points within three years, it will result in your license being revoked. In addition to points, you may also face a fine, a driving ban, or even a prison sentence if you have been convicted of a more serious offence.
