Scots driver with 36 factors on driving licence remains to be allowed on the roads

Hundreds of Scots drivers are still on the road despite clocking up 12 or more points with one motorist driving with a staggering 36 points on their licence.

Figures from the DVLA show 257 people in Scotland have held on to their motoring permits after obtaining 12 points – the threshold for disqualification.

One driver is still on the road with 36 penalty points on their licence, while a provisional driver has kept hold of their beginner’s driving permission despite clocking up 18 points.

Scottish Tory justice spokesman Liam Kerr last night called for a clampdown on serial offenders.

He said: ‘It’s alarming a small but significant number of drivers are still on the roads despite racking up well over the legal limit of penalty points – including some who don’t even hold a full licence.

‘When you see cases of 30 or even 36 points, that’s frankly hair-raising. While there can be exceptional circumstances, such as medical or employment reasons, when someone repeatedly breaks the rules and puts others at risk, public safety must come first.

Drivers who have more than 12 penalty points face immediate disqualification from driving

MSP Liam Kerr, Scottish Tory justice spokesman, says the number of drivers with 12 or more points in Scotland is dangerous 

‘Repeat offenders and reckless drivers must be taken off the roads and re-educated.’

The MSP also said the figures show a need for speed awareness courses to be offered in Scotland as an alternative to points and fines, as is the case in England and Wales. It comes after a surge in drivers being caught by speed cameras was blamed for a 12 per cent rise in penalty points dished out last year in the UK.

In 2024, UK drivers received 9.6 million points, a rise from 8.55 million during 2023 with the most common offences being speeding. The second most common cause was driving without insurance.

Last year around 1.6 million people in England and Wales took part in the National SpeedAwareness Course – an online or in-person class offered as an alternative to points and a fixed penalty notice.

Mr Kerr said: ‘These figures also underline the need for speed awareness courses in Scotland, as a potential alternative to points or prosecution, to educate drivers on the dangers of driving too fast.

‘These courses have been an effective tool south of the Border for years, so the SNP government should stop dithering and introduce them here.’

New data from the DVLA for Scotland shows 257 drivers have 12 points or more, including 35 provisional licence holders. One provisional driver is on 18 points, while one fully qualified driver has 30 points and another 36.

Drivers who reach the 12 point threshold over a three-year period are automatically disqualified for up to two years, and if they are banned for 56 days or more they may be forced to retake their test.

Speeding is the number one source of penalty points in the UK 

Courts can make exemptions when it comes to banning drivers who have 12 points, particularly when losing their licence would mean acute family hardship.

For example, a driver who has a disabled child, or cares for elderly relatives, may be considered for an exemption if it would affect those they look after.

The same could apply for those who rely on the ability to drive to make a living, causing their family to suffer if they couldn’t work.

A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: ‘Reducing excessive speed is a key focus of Scotland’s Road Safety Framework to 2030.

‘The Scottish Government supports the principle of driver education as an alternative to prosecution,

‘Since this area of law is reserved, a multi-agency group is engaging with the UK Government to consider how courses might be implemented in Scotland.’