Annex 5 - Penalties
2. Penalty points and disqualificationThe penalty point system is intended to deter drivers and motorcyclists from following unsafe motoring practices. Certain non-motoring offences, e.g. failure to rectify vehicle defects, can also attract penalty points.
The court MUST order points to be endorsed on the licence according to the fixed number or the range set by Parliament. The accumulation of penalty points acts as a warning to drivers and motorcyclists that they risk disqualification if further offences are committed. Law RTOA sects 44 & 45 A driver or motorcyclist who accumulates 12 or more penalty points within a 3-year period MUST be disqualified. This will be for a minimum period of 6 months, or longer if the driver or motorcyclist has previously been disqualified. Law RTOA sect 35 For every offence which carries penalty points the court has a discretionary power to order the licence holder to be disqualified. This may be for any period the court thinks fit, but will usually be between a week and a few months. In the case of serious offences, such as dangerous driving and drink-driving, the court MUST order disqualification. The minimum period is 12 months, but for repeat offenders or where the alcohol level is high, it may be longer. For example, a second drink-drive offence in the space of 10 years will result in a minimum of 3 years’ disqualification. Law RTOA sect 34 |
ContentIntroduction
Rules for pedestrians (1 to 35) Rules for users of powered wheelchairs and powered mobility scooters (36 to 46) Rules about animals (47 to 58) Rules for cyclists (59 to 82) Rules for motorcyclists (83 to 88) Rules for drivers and motorcyclists (89 to 102) General rules, techniques and advice for all drivers and riders (103 to 158) Using the road (159 to 203) Road users requiring extra care (204 to 225) Driving in adverse weather conditions (226 to 237) Waiting and parking (238 to 252) Motorways (253 to 273) Breakdowns and incidents (274 to 287) Road works, level crossings and tramways (288 to 307) Signs and Signals Direction signs on roads and motorways Information signs Light signals controlling traffic Road markings Road signs giving orders Road works signs Signals by authorised persons Signals to other road users Traffic signs Vehicle markings Warning signs Annexes Penalties Vehicle maintenance, safety and security First aid on the road Safety Code for new drivers |