New Drivers and Penalty Points

In 1995, the Government introduced the Road Traffic (New Drivers) Act as an initiative to reduce casualties among newly qualified drivers. The Act relates to drivers who are still in their probationary period (i.e within two years of passing their test), and states that any new driver incurring six or more penalty points within that period will have their licence revoked. There is no right of appeal against revocation under the provisions of the act, although you may appeal against the conviction that led to the revocation of your driving licence.

Penalty points incurred whilst driving under a provisional licence will also be counted towards this total of six, as long as the offence took place not more than three years before the latest penalty point offence. Penalty points gained after the probationary period has expired will also be taken into account if the offence was committed during the probationary period.

If your licence is revoked, then you automatically revert back to learner status, and you must start the learning process again. That is, you must:

1. Apply for a provisional licence , paying the applicable fee.
2. Pass the theory test .
3. Pass the practical test .

If you pass your driving test, you will also be charged an exchange fee to convert your provisional licence to full. If you had previously been entitled to drive under additional categories (such as a lorry, minibus or bus), then you must also re-pass the test required to regain full entitlement.

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