After the Test : New Drivers and the Law
New Drivers Act
The Road Traffic (New Drivers) Act, which came into force on 1 June 1997, also applies to new drivers (and motorcyclists). The licence of any driver is revoked automatically if they reach a total of six or more valid penalty points within two years of passing their test. This includes any vaild penalty points which may have been awarded before the test was passed. Penalty points are valid for three years.
Anyone with six or more valid penalty points on their provisional licence when they pass the test for the first time will be granted a full licence in the normal way but any points earned after that will trigger automatic revocation.
In order to legally drive again, the rider must reapply for a provisional licence, drive as a learner (so only when displaying an L Plate and while supervised by a properly qualified driver) and pass both the theory and practical tests again.
Passing the test again does not remove the penalty points which remain on their new licence until their three year period expires. If the total of valid points reaches twelve, the driver risks disqualification.
The New Drivers Act means that drivers who disregard safety messages are more likely to lose their licence. It underlines the importance of driving safely and that the lessons received during the learning process should not be forgotten.
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