An investigation has revealed that over 4,000 drivers in Britain continue to drive legally despite accumulating 12 or more penalty points for speeding—enough to normally trigger a licence suspension. The RAC, which conducted the research using Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) data, is urging the Government to empower courts to require repeat and excessive speeding offenders to install devices that prevent future speeding.
The DVLA figures show 4,154 drivers have reached the critical 12-point threshold without losing their licence, with some offenders carrying points for other serious violations like careless driving, drink-driving, and mobile phone use. Typically, drivers who accumulate 12 or more points within three years face a six-month ban unless they successfully argue exceptional hardship—such as an essential work or caregiving role—in court.
Alarmingly, 117 licence holders have gathered more than 20 speeding points, including one driver with 45 points. The RAC supports the Stop Excessive Speeders campaign, which advocates for courts to mandate the use of intervening intelligent speed assistance (IISA) technology. Unlike advisory systems that simply alert drivers to speed limits, IISA actively prevents vehicles from exceeding speed limits.
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Public opinion also aligns with this approach, with strong support for requiring such speed-limiting technology. RAC head of policy Simon Williams commented ahead of a parliamentary discussion on speeding: “It’s deeply concerning that so many repeat offenders remain on the road despite accumulating enough points to lose their licences. Requiring these drivers to fit speed-prevention devices offers a practical way to reduce reoffending, save lives, and make roads safer for everyone.”
A Department for Transport spokesperson reiterated that while 12 points usually lead to disqualification, courts can waive bans only in exceptional hardship cases. They also highlighted recent consultations aimed at strengthening enforcement, including reviews of penalty points, licence suspensions, disqualifications, and vehicle seizures for the most serious offenders.