Disqualified drivers within the UK have collectively invested over £3.1 million in prolonged driving assessments during the last 5 years, with greater than 21,000 people present process the extra stringent evaluation to regain their driving privileges. This important expenditure, highlighted in new analysis by on-line used automotive retailer cinch, was revealed by means of a Freedom of Info (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, offers perception into the dimensions of licence renewals following disqualification as a consequence 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 commonplace 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 value you in additional methods than one. The prolonged driving take a look at alone can value as a lot as £150, which is double the value of an ordinary 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 larger automotive insurance coverage premiums. The non-public impression can be profound, doubtlessly involving a felony file for offences corresponding 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 development 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 provided 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 commonly protracted. Solely 60% of drivers move their prolonged driving assessments on their first try. Moreover, the typical ready time for an prolonged driving take a look at at present stands at roughly 24 weeks, including important delays and inconvenience for these searching for to return to authorized driving.
To assist drivers keep away from disqualification, Sheehan provided essential recommendation: “Don’t take these dashing tickets frivolously – they will shortly add up, and 12 factors in your licence is a driving ban. And don’t overlook that driving with a automotive not match for the highway (corresponding to faulty tyres or brakes) can even result in factors in your licence, so don’t take the chance.”
