Almost 50,000 Drivers in UK Have 12 Points on Their Licence, in Just One Year

This research from Confused.com shows that relatively few UK drivers, as a percentage of overall licence holders, were banned between May 2025 and May 2026.

From May 2025 to May 2026, 47,598 GB driving licence holders were disqualified after accumulating 12 or more penalty points. That’s according to new data obtained by Confused.com car insurance experts. Following these findings, it surveyed 2,000 UK motorists on their knowledge of, and opinions on, current disqualification rules.

Driving disqualifications by age group

Drivers in age groups 25 – 34 and 35 – 44 were the top offenders, collectively accounting for half (52%) of all disqualifications.

Awareness gap around how many penalty points result in disqualification 

According to further research by Confused.com, nearly half (46%) of motorists don’t know how many penalty points a driver can accumulate before they face being banned. A driver faces disqualification if they are issued 12 or more penalty points within a 3 year period. Over a quarter (26%) believed the threshold was less than 12 points.

Different rules apply for newly qualified drivers – if they accumulate 6 or more penalty points in the first 2 years since passing their test, their licence will be revoked. 6 in 10 (63%) motorists were unaware of this threshold. Even so, it is still possible for new drivers to be issued a TT99 endorsement for totting up 12 or more points, due to an administrative overlap. If a new driver commits multiple offences at the same time, or gets caught while the offence(s) that resulted in the initial 6 points are still processing, they can bypass the threshold.

It can be easier to reach 12 points in 3 years than drivers initially realise. For example, speeding on a public road or motorway carries 3 to 6 points, and driving without insurance can result in 6 to 8 points. This means a driver convicted of these could be just one further offence away from the maximum limit.

Should retesting be mandatory following a driving ban?

Over two-thirds (67%) of motorists believe it should be mandatory for all disqualified drivers to retake their driving test before returning to the roads.

Currently, only those disqualified who are ordered by court to retake their test must do so, as well as new drivers whose licences are revoked for accumulating 6 or more penalty points in their first 2 years.

Motorists would support harsher disqualification periods for serious offences 

Motorists convicted of serious driving offences can also face an immediate ban, regardless of how many penalty points they have on their record. Earlier this year, the government ran a consultation(1) which included reviewing the disqualification period of these offences. Over 4 in 5 (81%) respondents would support at least one being extended.

One of these offences is causing death by careless driving while under the influence of drink or drugs, which carries a minimum disqualification of 5 years; 73% of respondents don’t think this is long enough. 63% think the minimum disqualification of 1 year for those driving when under the influence of drink or drugs is too short. Additionally, 57% think the disqualification period for driving with an alcohol concentration above the prescribed limit, which is currently a minimum of 1 year, should be extended.

With so many drivers reaching the penalty points threshold, it’s a reminder that road safety starts with motorists. Disqualifications are in place to penalise those who repeatedly, or seriously, endanger themselves and others.

Motoring expert at Confused.com, Matt Crole-Rees, comments:  “When it comes to prioritising safety behind the wheel, understanding and following all motoring and road rules is essential, as they’re in place to reduce risk and prevent harm. It’s important for all drivers to maintain and refresh their knowledge, even those who have been driving for a while. Motorists can review the Highway Code and familiarise themselves with all endorsable offences.

“Facing disqualification can mean a driver is without their licence for a number of months, or even years. The ban length is decided by the court, based on the offence itself and offenders history. Those disqualified for accumulating 12 or more points within 3 years typically face a 6 month ban, while serious offences carry longer disqualifications. Those disqualified for over 56 days must reapply for a new licence and potentially even retest if ordered by court.

“Totting up penalty points doesn’t only put your freedom to drive at risk, it can also impact the cost of car insurance. Typically, drivers with penalty points or convictions on their record can face increased premiums, as insurers perceive them as higher risk of being involved in incidents and, subsequently, claiming. For example, between January and June 2026, the car insurance premiums quoted to drivers with 6 penalty points on their licence were 58% higher than drivers with a clean record(2).

“You legally need to let your insurer know about any penalty points you receive. Some insurers will request to be informed immediately, while others may only require you to declare them at renewal, so check your individual policy terms. Failing to do so can invalidate your policy, and an insurer may be able to find out independently, as they can access the DVLA’s central driver database through the MyLicence scheme.”