North East driver still on the roads has 35 points on licence

The driver, who lives in the NE25 postcode area of North Tyneside, has almost three times the normal twelve-point limit on their licence but can still legally get behind the wheel.

Licence holders who rack up more than a dozen points in a three-year period should receive a disqualification for at least six months.

Read more: The North East postcodes with the worst drivers - see how many there are near you

But figures from the Department for Transport show that 145 motorists still hold a licence despite having more than twelve points.

And four drivers in our region have 24 or more points, double the normal limit.

Offences including speeding can lead to motorists being slapped with three to six points, while drink-driving can lead to between three and eleven points being imposed.  

After a disqualification drivers can re-apply for their licence, meaning they can have a high number of valid penalty points while still being entitled to drive, even though the sentence of the court has been served.

Drivers can also avoid a ban if they can convince the courts that they have extenuating circumstances, including if being banned would result in them losing a job and face financial problems.

To get more stories direct to your email basket go here 

One driver in the PL4 postcode area of Plymouth has a whopping 63 points on their licence, more than five times the 12 needed for a disqualification.

In the North East a driver in the NE13 area has 27 points on their licence, while one in the DH4 postcode zone and one in the NE64 area both have 24 points.

A DVLA Spokesperson previously said: “Following the period of disqualification imposed, drivers can re-apply for their licence meaning that they can have a high number of valid penalty points and current entitlement to drive, even though the sentence of the court has been served.

Read next:

• Woman furious at being stripped of driving licence after GP fills form out wrongly
• Three people who tragically died at work in the North East in the last year named
• Trucking firm fined £140k after Darlington dad killed instantly by falling machinery

Get more from The Northern Echo with a Premium Plus digital subscription from as little as only £1.50 a week. Click here

“In a small percentage of cases where the driver has accumulated 12 or more penalty points, we understand that a court can exercise its discretion and not disqualify the driver.”

“In the majority of these cases, magistrates may have decided to allow drivers to retain their entitlement to drive where it is considered that disqualification would cause exceptional hardship.

“The DVLA checks with courts when a driver’s 12 current penalty point threshold is met or exceeded but where a disqualification is not imposed at the time of the conviction.”