Police News from Be Wiser

The Punishment Sticks For Disqualified Drivers

As many as 73,000 disqualified novice drivers could have returned to the road illegally over the past decade.

A record number of newly qualified drivers - 160,000 - have been banned under the controversial New Drivers Act since its introduction in June 1997.

Road Safety Minister at the time of writing said: “Britain has one of the best road safety records in the world but we need to do everything we can to improve even further.”

MPs fear that the number of motorists who have not re taken their test is about 7,000 a year or 73,506 since the Act was introduced. It is believed that only half the motorists banned bother to re-take their test meaning many are now driving illegally without a valid licence. Often they are also without tax, or insurance.

The average fine for driving without a licence was £71 in 2006. Given that the cost of taking the test alone in the evening or on a weekend is £67 - and not including lessons, tax, and insurance - the fines are really very low.

Two million motorists of all ages are thought to drive illegally and cost honest drivers an extra £30 a year in premiums to cover accidents involving uninsured drivers.

However new regulations in both the UK and Northern Island mean that UK drivers disqualified for an offence in the Republic of Ireland will no longer escape that punishment when they return home. Likewise, disqualifications earned by Irish drivers while in the UK will be recognised and enforced when they return to Ireland.

These measures will keep dangerous drivers off our roads by ensuring that disqualified drivers are not able to escape their punishment.

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