Disqualified drivers within the UK have collectively invested over £3.1 million in prolonged driving checks during the last 5 years, with greater than 21,000 people present process the extra stringent evaluation to regain their driving privileges. This vital expenditure, highlighted in new analysis by on-line used automobile retailer cinch, was revealed via a Freedom of Data (FOI) request to the Driver & Automobile Requirements Company (DVSA).
The research, which covers bookings made at UK driving take a look at centres between 2020 and 2024, gives perception into the size of licence renewals following disqualification on account of severe driving offences or the buildup of 12 or extra penalty factors inside a three-year interval.
For any driver disqualified for 56 days or longer, making use of for a brand new licence is a compulsory step earlier than returning to the highway. Nonetheless, in additional severe instances, courts usually order these drivers to undertake an prolonged driving take a look at, a measure designed to make sure they meet a better normal of competence earlier than their licence is reinstated.
Sam Sheehan, motoring editor at cinch, underscored the multi-faceted monetary repercussions. “Being disqualified from driving will price you in additional methods than one. The prolonged driving take a look at alone can price as a lot as £150, which is double the worth of a typical take a look at.” He detailed additional obligatory prices, together with a brand new provisional licence (£43) and retaking the speculation take a look at (£23). Past these direct outlays, disqualified people face significantly increased automobile insurance coverage premiums. The private influence can be profound, probably involving a legal report for offences similar to drink or harmful driving, and even job loss for these whose career depends on driving.
For the primary time since 2020, prolonged driving take a look at bookings noticed a notable lower in 2024. A complete of 4,055 bookings had been recorded, representing a 24% discount from the current peak of 5,332 bookings in 2023. This decline follows a interval of regular progress since 2021.
Prolonged Driving Take a look at Bookings by UK Drivers (2020-2024):
- 2020: 2,453 bookings
- 2021: 4,048 bookings (65% year-on-year enhance)
- 2022: 5,226 bookings (29% year-on-year enhance)
- 2023: 5,332 bookings (2% year-on-year enhance)
- 2024: 4,055 bookings (24% year-on-year lower)
- Complete: 21,114 bookings
Sheehan supplied an encouraging perspective on the 2024 figures: “The 24% year-on-year lower for 2024 is nice to see – hopefully it continues. It means fewer penalty factors and driving offences being handed out, which signifies that UK drivers are taking extra care on the roads.” This development may alleviate some stress on the DVSA’s testing capability, some extent of ongoing concern for driving instructors and learner drivers alike.
Past the monetary and authorized ramifications of a driving ban, the method of regaining a licence is usually protracted. Solely 60% of drivers go their prolonged driving checks on their first try. Moreover, the typical ready time for an prolonged driving take a look at presently stands at roughly 24 weeks, including vital delays and inconvenience for these searching for to return to authorized driving.
To assist drivers keep away from disqualification, Sheehan supplied essential recommendation: “Don’t take these rushing tickets flippantly – they will shortly add up, and 12 factors in your licence is a driving ban. And don’t neglect that driving with a automobile not match for the highway (similar to faulty tyres or brakes) may result in factors in your licence, so don’t take the chance.”
