8,000 motorists escape disqualification in the UK

MORE than 8,000 motorists in the UK are driving despite having picked up enough penalty points to be banned from the roads, it was revealed.

Drivers who collect 12 points on their driving licence face an immediate ban. But figures obtained from the DVLA show a large number have escaped disqualification and are driving – legally – despite exceeding the limit.

This is because courts can rule that a motorist who faces losing their licence could face “exceptional hardship” and escape a ban. One unnamed motorist is still driving even after racking up a total of 36 points – three times the disqualification figure. Another two people had accumulated 33 points.

Points can be put on a driver’s licence for a variety of motoring offences, from speeding to drink driving and they stay on a driving licence for up to four years.

The DVLA said they had no say in how sentences and bans are imposed on drivers.