If you get 3 points on an auto licence (6 allowed total)

[yodjone]

Hi all. I have a strange question here. Dont know if anyone will know the answer. But basically I passed my test in July 2016 on Auto car licence, I may have had a red light issue (passed perhaps slightly over 2 seconds of it being on red, but not 100% on that) that may jepeordise me and get me 3 points (still nothing in the post yet) #touchwood and I Would in effect be running a fine line of 3 points remaining for the next 20 months or so. (in theory)

So i was wondering, If you get 3 points on an auto licence (6 allowed total) I was thinking, could you in effect apply for a manual test/license and then have an additional 6 points available if you passed for the first 2 years? or would you still only have 3 left in the first 2 years before you had to retake your test?

Also, what would happen if you failed your manual test, would i lose my automatic license? Or would I not be able to take a manual license at all?

Dont know if anyone would know the answer. But its something ive been thinking about

[bigandclever]

My bold ...

gov.uk said:

The Road Traffic (New Drivers) Act 1995
You will lose your licence if you get six or more penalty points within two years of the following:
• Passing a first driving test in GB.

If you fail the manual test, you still have your auto licence.

[here_we_go]

Will passing another test make any difference?

"There isn’t another 2 year period if you pass a test for another category of vehicle, eg to drive a heavy goods vehicle."
(from https://www.gov.uk/penalty-points-endorsements/new...

You're still within two years of first holding a driving licence. I've no real idea but it doesn't sound like something you could get round that easily!

[TomLRogers]

I think that, no matter what your qualified to drive for the first 2 years your only allowed 6 points.

[untakenname]

I've never seen the logic of the six point limit for new drivers, surely as they are inexperienced then they should be given more leeway for making mistakes?

[bigandclever]

It's to slow the mad bds down.

[herewego]

If you're still not confident of your driving perhaps do a Passplus course? It is possible to drive without picking up points.

[Sheepshanks]

untakenname said:

I've never seen the logic of the six point limit for new drivers, surely as they are inexperienced then they should be given more leeway for making mistakes?

I suppose the idea is to make them be more careful and not do things like drive through red lights two seconds after they've changed.

[2lefthands]

Sheepshanks said:

untakenname said:

I've never seen the logic of the six point limit for new drivers, surely as they are inexperienced then they should be given more leeway for making mistakes?

I suppose the idea is to make them be more careful and not do things like drive through red lights two seconds after they've changed.

This. If you've had your licence, automatic or manual, for around 2 months then the chances are if you're cacking yourself already about running red lights, you won't have any licence whatsoever in a short while. This would result in one less moron on the road. Good luck with insurance in the future too.

[yodjone]

Sheepshanks - If you want the full back story (Which i have already posted on another forum) - I was approaching them on green on a straight road as they went to amber, I commited to going through as my understanding initially as a new driver was you could do this when on amber, i was then told later the official rule was to stop on amber, anyway, after I had commited to going my GPS beeped at me indicating there was a speed camera nearby, which made me limit my speed somewhat as going through in a dilemma, which is why there was a 1/2 second delay after it had gone to red and me passing it. Turns out it wasnt a speed camera it was a traffic light camera sneekily hidden behind the bushes to catch cars out. I was 100% expecting something in the post, so far 7 days and nothing #touchwood - So I was worrying but feeling slightly better now. I have to wait 14 calendar days is my understanding. I do not speed and have my GPS set to beep whenever I do this as a deterrant/annoyance. The annoying thing is that it happened on a road I never go to usually, and its only in these occasional 'new' areas where any misshaps may occur, the roads near me that im on 95% of the time there would be no issues (admittedly no excuse)

and before i have any goody 2 shoes saying how badly in the wrong i was, yes I learnt from the mistake, it took me off guard. I am a new driver and was just worrying over any potential risk. It is annoying if something bad happens and i'd be running a fine line on 3 points leeway for the next 20 months. After all, It took me a long time to actually commit to doing lessons and passing, admittedly I shouldve got it out the way @ 18.

Edited by yodjone on Tuesday 13th September 18:03

[Mr Will]

You don't get different licences for different types of vehicle. You get one licence which can have categories of vehicles added to (or removed from) it.

Adding the manual category to your licence won't do anything to save your bacon. Drive safe...

[yodjone]

Thanks for the info Mr Will - Interestingly enough though, I read if you did aquire 6 points within your first 2 years, you could still in effect apply for a theory test / driving test, and if you passed them be issued with a fresh license with another 6 points available - Not that I am encouraging this or want to do this, quite the opposite !!! but im just thinking this rule is a bit strange? Thats why I posed the question of re-aquiring another license

[Mr Will]

yodjone said:

Sheepshanks - If you want the full back story (Which i have already posted on another forum) - I was approaching them on green on a straight road as they went to amber, I commited to going through as my understanding initially as a new driver was you could do this when on amber, i was then told later the official rule was to stop on amber, anyway, after I had commited to going my GPS beeped at me indicating there was a speed camera nearby, which made me limit my speed somewhat as going through in a dilemma, which is why there was a 1/2 second delay after it had gone to red and me passing it. Turns out it wasnt a speed camera it was a traffic light camera sneekily hidden behind the bushes to catch cars out. I was 100% expecting something in the post, so far 7 days and nothing #touchwood - So I was worrying but feeling slightly better now. I have to wait 14 calendar days is my understanding. I do not speed and have my GPS set to beep whenever I do this as a deterrant/annoyance. The annoying thing is that it happened on a road I never go to usually,

and before i have any goody 2 shoes saying how badly in the wrong i was, yes I learnt from the mistake, it took me off guard. I am a new driver and was just worrying over any potential risk. It is annoying if something bad happens and i'd be running a fine line on 3 points leeway for the next 20 months. After all, It took me a long time to actually commit to doing lessons and passing, admittedly I shouldve got it out the way @ 18.

So you put your foot down to gamble on an amber light and then regretted it. Be glad it was only a camera and not a pedestrian stepping out as soon as the lights changed.

This needs to be a lesson to you. You made a mistake. That's okay - we all do. The important thing (and it sounds like you're half way there) is to admit your mistake to yourself and modify your behaviour to avoid it happening again.

[Mr Will]

yodjone said:

Thanks for the info Mr Will - Interestingly enough though, I read if you did aquire 6 points within your first 2 years, you could still in effect apply for a theory test / driving test, and if you passed them be issued with a fresh license with another 6 points available - Not that I am encouraging this or want to do this, quite the opposite !!! but im just thinking this rule is a bit strange? Thats why I posed the question of re-aquiring another license

No, you've been fed some misinformation there. If you hit 6 points you lose your licence and must take your test again once the ban has expired.

(IIRC - it's been a long time since I checked and the rules may have changed.)

[yodjone]

Alright, because I read you dont get "banned", well you do. But in effect you just loose your license and have to re obtain it by taking test(s) again. and then obtain another 6 points for 2 years again. Obviously if you get 12 you get 'banned' But this was my understanding. Can't remember my sources but I did a lot of reading into it. But you're probably right. I'll look into it also, Thanks

[herewego]

Mr Will said:

yodjone said:

Thanks for the info Mr Will - Interestingly enough though, I read if you did aquire 6 points within your first 2 years, you could still in effect apply for a theory test / driving test, and if you passed them be issued with a fresh license with another 6 points available - Not that I am encouraging this or want to do this, quite the opposite !!! but im just thinking this rule is a bit strange? Thats why I posed the question of re-aquiring another license

No, you've been fed some misinformation there. If you hit 6 points you lose your licence and must take your test again once the ban has expired.

(IIRC - it's been a long time since I checked and the rules may have changed.)

There is no ban and never has been. It's a revocation not a ban. He's quite correct apart from the spelling of licence.

It isn't strange though. The revocation requires you to present yourself for a further test if you wish to continue driving.

[SVTRick]

bigandclever said:

It's to slow the mad bds down.

Separate's the wheat from the chaff.
And makes them realise passing a test is nothing, experience is gained
by not driving like an idiot just because you have a pass slip

[2lefthands]

Your are incorrect, upon passing your practical driving test, you have one period of 6 points within 2 years. If you lose your licence under new driver rules, you do not receive this again (you would not be a new driver for a second time).

As for your explanation, you need to adjust your ways quickly. You will be living a very sheltered life if you drive the same roads for 95% of the time, you will go to new areas the more you drive. Drive at the limits and obey signals, or as already stated, you will be spending more time waiting for letters to drop through the door or coming to realise that your actions have serious consequences.

[SS2.]

yodjone said:

Alright, because I read you dont get "banned", well you do.

No, you don't.

If you receive a ban, you are disqualified from holding or obtaining a licence.

A licence revocation under the New Driver's Act lasts just as long as it takes for you to obtain a new provisional licence and pass another driving test.

[herewego]

2lefthands said:

Your are incorrect, upon passing your practical driving test, you have one period of 6 points within 2 years. If you lose your licence under new driver rules, you do not receive this again (you would not be a new driver for a second time).

As for your explanation, you need to adjust your ways quickly. You will be living a very sheltered life if you drive the same roads for 95% of the time, you will go to new areas the more you drive. Drive at the limits and obey signals, or as already stated, you will be spending more time waiting for letters to drop through the door or coming to realise that your actions have serious consequences.

The six points are transferred to the new licence though for the usual 3 years from the date of offence.