Learner drivers are being warned over little-known rules that could see them banned from driving before they even pass their test.
New research has shown the number of learner drivers with points on their (provisional) licenses has increased to 76,000, in part due to more learner drivers on the roads because of a backlog in driving tests which will continue until 2024. Some 61% of these already have between six and 10 points on their licences, meaning they risk a driving ban if they rack up any more points.
Car insurance provider Veygo said learners may not understand the rules they're breaking. In fact, a survey by Veygo found that almost a third (30%) of Brits are unaware that it’s possible to accrue penalty points while driving with a provisional licence.
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The most common offence was driving without the proper insurance, which more than 33,000 learners had been caught out for. While nearly 13,000 learner drivers in the UK were given points for driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence, which for learner drivers might mean using their vehicle without a supervisor present or not displaying their L-plates correctly.
James Armstrong, CEO of Veygo told the ECHO : “The number of provisional points has jumped this year due to more learner drivers on the road as they await coveted driving test spots amid the pandemic backlog. We’d urge people to review the rules as penalties can be more severe for learners and newer drivers, who can have their licences revoked if they commit an offence or exceed 6 penalty points within two years of passing their test."
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