For 2 years, new drivers only have 6 penalty points available for motoring offences… We can help
New Driver Rules
Am I a new driver?
For the first two years after passing your driving test you are classed as a new driver.
Either a full car or motorcycle licence is counted as a relevant test. This means that if you passed a car test 7 years ago and a motorbike test 1 year ago you are not a new driver.
The two years run from when you successfully passed your first test.
New Driver Penalties:
- 6 Points on License in first 2 years = Revocation
- Revocation Requires a Full Retest
- We have saved 92% from licence revocation
What are the Implications of New Drivers Law?
New drivers are covered by the new drivers act.
The ‘probationary period’ for new drivers is the first two years that you are on the road from the date you pass your first driving test.
If you accumulate 6 points during the first 24 months, then the DVLA will revoke your driving licence. In order to get it back you will need to take a complete re-test.
This new driver penalty is not a discretionary matter for the court. Pleading for leniency from the court is pointless.
If you are guilty of the offence, then magistrates have very little discretion about imposing points on your driving licence.
Once you have the points then the decision to revoke happens administratively at the DVLA as soon as they are notified of the 6 points added to your licence by the court.
This process is automatic and there is no means of affecting the outcome.
I have been offered a Fixed Penalty for No Insurance – can I take it?
If you accept a fixed penalty of 6 penalty points and a fine of £200 then licence revocation will happen automatically.
The police will inform the DVLA about the points who will then write to you explaining that your licence is revoked.
If you were to continue to drive you would commit additional offences and would risk a 6 month totting up ban.
Having your licence revoked doesn’t remove the points from it. They will remain effective for 3 years from the date of the original offence.
To avoid a license revocation, you have to avoid the points, so will have to take the matter to court.
The downside to going to court is that you risk a potentially larger fine, additional court costs as well as 6 – 8 points. This is obviously more than the 6 pts you would get from a fixed penalty.
If you are going to go to court, make sure that you can realistically use a special reasons argument. Or, you will need to have really good mitigating circumstances, otherwise the outcome will be worse that the fixed penalty would have been.
Do you depend on your driving licence for your job? We can help defend allegations…
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I contacted Patterson Law when I received a FPN. Rachel and Danny got back to me very promptly with thorough written advice … More and responded each time with my follow up questions. Professional, responsive and informative. They really helped me make an informed decision. Thank you.
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I had excellent help and representation from Patterson Law with a speeding matter for which I had to attend Court. Prior … More to my Court date Jonathan Guscott was extremely helpful in giving me advice and direction as to how to best prepare for my hearing and what things would be helpful to take with me.At the hearing itself I was represented by Daniella Adelowoye whom Patterson Law instructed on my behalf. Daniella was excellent giving me ample time to go through matters with her before my time in the Court and also made me feel comfortable about the process in Court and what to expect. She understood my case superbly, as did Jonathon, and I found her extremely knowledgeable and I felt very reassured having her with me at Court. I would have no hesitation recommending Jonathan, Daniella and Patterson Law in general to anyone needing similar representation to myself.
Provisional Driver & New Driver Questions and Answers:
I have got 6 points on my provisional licence, can I sit my test and, if I do, will my licence be revoked?
Yes, you can go ahead and take your driving test because your licence won’t be instantly revoked!
But….
If you accumulate any more points during the first two years after passing your test then you will have your licence revoked at that time.
The offence occurred within my probationary period, but the Court hearing date is after - will I revoke?
If you are given additional points for the offence that happened during your probationary period, and those points brings your total points to 6 or more then yes, unfortunately you will have your licence revoked.
This is because the date of the court case and the date that points are actually added to your licence is not important. The important date is the date of the offence.
If the offence happened during your 2 year probationary period then you licence will be revoked.
I got three points as a provisional driver before I passed my test. I am now in my probationary period and I have got another three points - am I going to be revoked?
Yes. If you accumulate 6 or more points on your licence, and the latest offence happened within your 2 year probationary period then you will have your driving licence revoked.
The revocation isn’t carried out by the court, it is done administratively at the DVLA after the court hearing.
Is there any way to avoid revocation?
Yes, but it isn’t easy to do.
- If you can successfully defend the offence allegation they you will not be given any points. Therefore won’t face a revocation.
- If you present a special reasons argument and your magistrates agree not to impose penalty points.
- If the Magistrates agree instead to give you a discretionary ban instead of points. This is only possible if a discretionary ban is an option for your offence according to their sentencing guidelines.
Do you need advice about new driver rules?
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Testimonials
I would like to express my gratitude and pass on a BIG thank you Paul Sabine from my son. Thanks to you and the whole team that were involved his case. We are sure it would have been a very different outcome if he had not been represented by yourselves in court. Your Barrister ensured the case was conducted firmly, fairly, and correctly. After watching my son's case in court, I would recommend anyone that finds themselves in a similar position to get themselves represented. And I would wholeheartedly recommend you without question for that task.
I would just like to say a great big thank you as I now only have 5 points and I get to keep my license. All your help had been very much appreciated, and I will highly recommend you, once again thank you.
Excellent help and advice given to me, I can't think how you could improve your service.
Hi Rachel, Thank you so much for your help negotiating the penalty down to a 7 day ban for a new driver / high speed offence. The service you provided was excellent. Can I please check the date when A*** can drive again? Will this be next Tuesday? I cannot thank your Company enough, you have been brilliant.
Just a note to thank you so much for your help with our sons traffic matter. He couldn't have got a better outcome, he is so grateful he gets to keep his licence and I think he has now learned his lesson. He was so pleased he only got 14 days driving ban and a fine. Thank you again for getting him through this, we couldn't have done it without you. I would have no hesitation in recommending you to anyone who is in need of a good solicitor for a motor traffic offence.
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