Driver with 68 points still on the road as more than 1,000 keep licences despite reaching ban limit
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A repeat law-breaker who has racked up 68 penalty points on their licence is among more than 1,000 motorists still driving despite having enough points to be banned.
Figures from the DVLA show that there are 1,278 drivers with at least 12 points who are still permitted to drive, prompting calls for a crackdown on repeat offenders.
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Hide AdDrivers can be disqualified from driving if they amass more than 12 points within three years, with repeat offenders banned for up to two years.
However, a loophole allows those found guilty of multiple offences to plead “exceptional hardship” and argue that losing their licence would have a significantly negative effect on their life, such as costing them their job. In such cases the courts can decide to waive the disqualification.
![12 points usually leads to an automatic driving disqualification (Photo: Shutterstock)](https://www.northernirelandworld.com/webimg/legacy_gc_2020_08_shutterstock_749438-1024x683.jpg?crop=3:2,smart&width=640&quality=65)
![12 points usually leads to an automatic driving disqualification (Photo: Shutterstock)](/img/placeholder.png)
The latest figures were revealed following a Freedom of Information request by the Liberal Democrats, who are now calling for the Government to change the rules to make it harder for repeat motoring offenders to keep their licences.
Liberal Democrat transport spokeswoman Sarah Olney said: “For the safety of everyone driving on our roads, it's important that repeat offenders and dangerous drivers are kept off the roads.
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Hide Ad“It's possible that there are mitigating factors in some cases which justify these drivers hanging on to their right to drive.
“But if we are honest, if you have racked up a dozen points, you are probably a bad driver.
“The UK Government should examine whether the right systems are in place to put the brakes on problem drivers.
“With fewer drivers on the road than ever before, now is the time to consider what can be done.”
The latest DVLA figures also that the there are more than one million drivers across the UK with at least one penalty point on their licence.