A driver in his 20s with 176 points on his driving licence is among 10,000 serial offenders who are still causing chaos on the roads.
The figures, from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), were branded ‘shocking’ by a leading road safety charity, which said such drivers should be forced to take extra training.
The 26-year-old with 176 points is one of three male licence holders with more than 100 points.
The woman with the most points is a 50-year-old with 96, while 53 other people have at least 30 points on their licence.
Points are issued following convictions for road offences, such as driving without due care and attention (three to nine points), drink-driving (three to 11 points), and speeding (three to six points).
Under the totting-up process, drivers are usually banned for six months if they receive 12 or more points within a three-year period, unless they convince a court this would result in exceptional hardship, which could relate to their ability to work or care for their family.
A total of 10,056 drivers hold a valid licence despite having at least 12 points.
Nicholas Lyes, director of policy and standards at road safety charity IAM RoadSmart, said: ‘These shocking statistics call into question whether the definition of exceptional hardship needs reviewing.
‘Any driver that is on the cusp of a ban would normally take heed of the risk of losing their licence, but it seems that a minority continue to break the law without any consideration.
‘At the very least, those that accrue 12 or more points on their licence should be required to take an additional training course, even if they are allowed to keep their licence because a court has deemed that losing it would cause exceptional hardship.’
Points remain on licences for up to 11 years after an offence is committed, meaning some people with multiple driving convictions are legally allowed behind the wheel because they have served a period of disqualification.
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) figures, which are a snapshot from September 14, do not show how many motorists avoided a ban despite reaching the 12-point mark.
Steve Gooding, director of motoring research charity the RAC Foundation, said: ‘It would be reassuring to know that someone in authority was monitoring both the absolute number of licence holders swerving a ban and the reasons why they’ve been granted leave to keep driving.
‘A bit more transparency in the system might ensure the right balance is being struck between personal mobility and our collective safety. It could also improve public confidence in justice.
‘Exceptional hardship needs to be truly exceptional.’
The DVLA records information provided by courts, and has no influence on sentences.
The agency said where the threshold of 12 points is met but a disqualification is not imposed, it contacts the relevant court to check that was the intention.
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