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Well Done you have passed your Driving Test
From June 1 1997, people passing their first driving test will be 'on probation' for two years. A total of six or more penalty points during that time will mean they have to go back to learner status, apply for a new provisional licence and take the test again.
WHY A PROBATION PERIOD?
Newly qualified drivers, especially young ones, are more at risk in the first year or so after passing the test, than at any other time in their motoring career and one in five will have an accident in the first year alone. The new law aims to reduce the number of road deaths and injuries by penalising new drivers who increase their risks by committing offences such as speeding.
WHO ARE AFFECTED?
Anyone passing their first driving test, no matter what class of vehicle it covers (usually car or motorcycle) for the first two years after the date of passing. Drivers who already have a full licence on one category and pass a test in another do not have their probationary period extended or revived, because the scheme is aimed at first time drivers.
CALCULATING THE SIX POINTS
Penalty points count if the offence was committed during the first two years after passing the driving test, even if the court sentence is not given until this period has expired.
Any penalty points acquired before passing the test may also count as they are valid for three years from the date of the offence.
RETURNING TO L PLATES
When the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency is notified that a new driver has six or more penalty points they will write to him/her to say that the licence has been revoked. The driver then reverts to learner status and is treated like any other learner. He or she has to apply for a new provisional licence, display L-plates and is prohibited from driving on motorways. A learner car driver will need to be accompanied by a driver aged 21 or over who has held a full licence for at least three years. A learner motorcyclist will be restricted to smaller less powerful bikes.
To ignore a revocation and carry on driving without a valid driving licence is an offence with a maximum penalty of £1,000.
LGV OR PCV ENTITLEMENT
Passing a retest in a car or motorcycle may restore any LGV (lorry) or PCV (bus/coach) category previously held, but only if the traffic commissioner is satisfied that the person is ready to go back to driving these vehicles. The traffic commissioner can require another LGV or PCV test of he sees fit.
MORE PENALTY POINTS
Licences are not revoked a second time if more points are obtained after a successful retest. However, the points already on the licence stay for three years from the date of the offence for which they were given. Twelve points normally leads to an outright disqualification of six months by the court.
| Offence | Maximum penalties | |||
| IMPRISONMENT | FINE | DISQUALIFICATION | PENALTY POINTS | |
| *Causing death by dangerous driving | 10 years | Unlimited | Obligatory-2 years minimum | 3-11 (if exceptionally not disqualified) |
| *Dangerous driving | 2 years | Unlimited | Obligatory | 3-11 (if exceptionally not disqualified) |
| Causing death by careless driving under the influence of drink or drugs | 10 years | Unlimited | Obligatory-2 years minimum | 3-11 (if exceptionally not disqualified) |
| Careless or inconsiderate driving | £2,500 | Discretionary | 3-9 | |
| Driving while unfit through drink or drugs or with excess alcohol; or failing to provide a specimen for analysis | 6 months | £5,000 | Discretionary | 5-10 |
| Driving when disqualified | 6 months (12 months in Scotland) | £5,000 | Discretionary | 6 |
| Driving after refusal or revocation of 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 or 3 (fixed penalty) | |
| Traffic light offences | £1,000 | Discretionary | 3 | |
| No MOT certificate | £1,000 | Discretionary | ||
| Seat belt offences | £500 | |||
| Dangerous cycling | £2,500 | |||
| Careless cycling | £1,000 | |||
| Cycling on pavement | £500 | |||
| Failing to identify driver of a vehicle | £1,000 | Discretionary | 3 | |
| * Where a court disqualifies a person on conviction for one of these offences, it must order an extended retest. The courts also have discretion to order a retest for any other offence which carries penalty points: an extended retest where disqualification is obligatory, and an ordinary test where disqualification is not obligatory. | ||||