Totting up points for new drivers (& crap Highway code site)

[TonyHetherington]

Had an argument (discussion) with girlfriend last night as her driving instructor has told her something ridiculously (can't remember exactly what it was now) about totting up points and being disauqlified.

I simply said nope; 6 points in first 2 yrs is the rule. Mr Taxi driver then got involved so I blindly agreed.

Anyway, so looking at the highway code site to prove my point (I'm a man, it must be done)...I found out firstly that the new highway code site is appaulingly bad. The old one used to be really good; has that now completely gone?

So, I found the legislation I was after; http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/DriverLicensi...

but it raised a question in my mind; if, while under a provisional license, what are the rules regarding points totting up? I don't know them nor can I find them on the crap website?!

Thanks
Tony

[DucatiGary]

for a mod, Tony, you'd at least think you would be able to post your threads in the correct section, no

(SP&L, surely)

[Dangly]

I have fell victim to the new drivers act (7 points within 2yrs) and my licence was revoked - Not banned as most people seem to think.

Back to the provisional question I think the same rules would apply – You don’t have a full licence but if you did get 6+ points while not actually having a full licence once you did it would be taken back off you. And you have to do the lot again?

[TonyHetherington]

Once posted I did consider that. And then thought about the irony of moving my own post. I didn't get much further than that though.

Alas you are right.

[tigger1]

Dangly said:

Back to the provisional question I think the same rules would apply – You don’t have a full licence but if you did get 6+ points while not actually having a full licence once you did it would be taken back off you. And you have to do the lot again?

Not quite true (unless I've misunderstood you...quite possibly!).

If you have a full license, and you amass 6 points (or more) in the first two years - then you lose the license, back to a provisional. No ban. No Extended retest. No special fine as such either AFAIK.

If you only have a provisional, and amass 6 points (you're stupid..and whoever is supervising you wants an arse kicking too!) - then you still only have a provisional - and still just need to pass an ordinary test.

I would hope that the 2nd case is rare. I guess no insurance would be the big one for this (and driving without the appropriate entitlements). I hope that anyone who does pass with >6 points on their license is absolutely bum-raped come insurance time though, on a risk basis.

[Dangly]

tigger1 said:

Not quite true (unless I've misunderstood you...quite possibly!).

If you have a full license, and you amass 6 points (or more) in the first two years - then you lose the license, back to a provisional. No ban. No Extended retest. No special fine as such either AFAIK.

Nope reverts to you having nothing - You have to apply for the provisional licence.

tigger1 said:

Not quite true (unless I've misunderstood you...quite possibly!).

If you only have a provisional, and amass 6 points (you're stupid..and whoever is supervising you wants an arse kicking too!) - then you still only have a provisional - and still just need to pass an ordinary test.

The DVLA wont let you get away with it just because you don't have a full licence. So there must be something in place for this.

[Do0Bs]

I was going to get banned for speeding ticket within 6 weeks of passing test. Took it to court in the end and blagged it

Just got to wait till may now and then my two years will be up!!!! Pedal to the metal!

[Vesuvius 996]

Do0Bs said:

I was going to get banned for speeding ticket within 6 weeks of passing test. Took it to court in the end and blagged it

Just got to wait till may now and then my two years will be up!!!! Pedal to the metal!

Whoah there.

Do a search for 10PenceShort and his thread about going to prison.

[bi9_jk]

Dangly said:

I have fell victim to the new drivers act (7 points within 2yrs) and my licence was revoked - Not banned as most people seem to think.

Back to the provisional question I think the same rules would apply – You don’t have a full licence but if you did get 6+ points while not actually having a full licence once you did it would be taken back off you. And you have to do the lot again?

yes but what one must consider is that it takes 3 weeks to regain a provisional and then pass the test. That amounts to a four week ban by the back door.

Just to further my propaganda. Did you apply for a licence immediatley? How long did it take to actually arrive? Does you driving licence number change? If so you cannot book a test till it arrives and it takes about 4 weeks for a test it is essentially making it a seven to eight week ban.

Its a completley unfair system but for say for those who thought it was a good idea are going to get a taste of their preachings. Under the new 6 points for about any offence it is going to be 2 fpns and they are out. Disgusting i know but an eye opener for some nonetheless.

[Dangly]

bi9_jk said:

yes but what one must consider is that it takes 3 weeks to regain a provisional and then pass the test. That amounts to a four week ban by the back door.

Just to further my propaganda. Did you apply for a licence immediatley? How long did it take to actually arrive? Does you driving licence number change? If so you cannot book a test till it arrives and it takes about 4 weeks for a test it is essentially making it a seven to eight week ban.

Its a completley unfair system but for say for those who thought it was a good idea are going to get a taste of their preachings. Under the new 6 points for about any offence it is going to be 2 fpns and they are out. Disgusting i know but an eye opener for some nonetheless.

I went to court with my solicitor asked for a SPD (Short Period Disqualification) ie month ban - Would kill me on insurance but my job was driving for a living, so it was a set amount of time off the road. The court said no here is 4 points instead which is an unknown amount of time for me.

About 2 weeks later the DVLA said because I had obtained 7 points within 2 years my licence would be revoked on xx.xx.xxxx date and I could then apply for my provisional again.

Although my driver number turned out to be the same I couldn’t apply for a test until I had of course passed the theory and the hazard perception test.

So I spoke to the DVLA said I need a provisional licence ASAP what do I need to do – They send write a letter saying this and mark it urgent with the provisional application then send it special delivery. Phone back within 5 days after sending it and obtain your driver number to book the theory test.
The problem with doing this you make to make sure there is enough time to allow postage of the provisional out to you for the theory test.

I passed my theory and hazard perception test (never did that 1st time around) and then applied for my driving test again – I managed to re pass EVERYTHING within under 1 month.

So although it came good for me it could have been very worse!

[7db]

Funnily enough I just had a rant over on AD-UK about the quality of the new HC. Seems to have been put together by someone who has no inkling of how the web works...

[TonyHetherington]

Great minds and all that

The last one used to be really good. It was very simply done but then, that's all you wanted. The rules/laws etc and pictures.

The new one is nigh-on-impossible to search through. Truly appaulingly bad.

So much so, I may even write to tell them actually!