Young drivers and offences

Helpful hints and tips.plus some good offers from ur specialists and advice on motoring abroad
Post Reply
User avatar
thedupleman
Club Owner
Posts: 16736
Joined: Mon Feb 08, 2010 9:14 pm
Real Name:
Coupe: s-Coupe (1991-1996)
Engine: 2.0
Location: Hcoc bunker, sandbach
+_number: 0002
Has thanked: 41 times
Been thanked: 154 times
Contact:

Young drivers and offences

#1

Post by thedupleman »

Younger drivers who have recently passed their driving test are more likely to be involved in traffic accidents and commit motoring offences. Consequences for younger drivers who commit driving offences can include licence revocation and heavily increased insurance premiums.

Younger Drivers and the Risk of Motoring Offences
Estimates show that younger drivers, especially young male drivers present a greater risk when it comes to accidents on the road and traffic offences. In fact one in three young male drivers do crash their vehicles within two years of passing their test, and one in five crash within one year of passing. The law does take these statistics seriously and there are serious consequences for younger drivers or in fact any drivers who have recently passed their driving test.

Reasons Why Younger Drivers Present a Higher Risk
Lack of experience is the major reason why younger drivers commit motoring offences and become Involved in Road Traffic Accidents. Over confidence in their newly acquired driving skills is another cited reason. Lack of speed awareness and poor hazard perception has also been noted as reasons for the higher risk factor. Other reasons for motoring offences within this age group include peer group pressure and the driving habits passed on from parents. It is only once the younger driver gains experience behind the wheel that the risk of motoring offences decreases.

Common Driving Mistakes by Younger Drivers
Speeding is one of the major motoring offences committed by younger drivers. Dangerous overtaking is another common offence and driving too close to vehicles ranks as another common problem for younger drivers. Younger drivers do actually have excellent vehicle control skills but often overestimate their actual driving skills. Driving distractions such as mobile phones and loud music are also major factors to younger drivers committing motoring offences. Due to all of these factors and the lack of driving experience, young drivers are one of the most vulnerable driving groups.

Probationary Period for Newly Qualified Drivers
New drivers, regardless of age, are placed on a probationary period. This means that a New Driver is on probation for the first two years after passing their driving test. This probationary period only applies to first time drivers; those who have passed their test for the first time. Any first time driver who amasses six or more penalty points within the two years after passing their test can be returned to learner status. This means they will be required to apply for a provisional licence and retake their driving test.

Penalty Points and Probationary Periods
The Penalty Points for a new driver will actually start before they have passed their test. Any points accrued prior to passing a driving test will be included in the totting up during the probationary period. If an offence was committed during the probationary period but points are applied after the probationary period has expired they will still apply. If a motoring offence is committed during the probationary period but the charge is not heard until the probation has expired the penalty points will still count. This means six points or more on a new licence and a learner status will be applied.

Ignoring a Return to Learner Status
The DVLA will be notified of the fact that a driver has been returned to a learner status. The DVLA will write to the driver and inform them that their licence has been revoked. The learner driver will only be permitted to drive with a person over the age of 21 who has held a full driving licence for three years. The learner will also be required to carry L Plates on their vehicle. If a driver who has been returned to learner status ignores the revocation and continues to drive they can face a fine of up to £1,000.

Insurance Premiums for Younger Drivers
Younger drivers are in the high risk for accidents and motoring offences group and will usually have to pay higher insurance premiums. In most cases, young male drivers will pay higher premiums than female drivers. Newly qualified drivers can also find themselves paying higher insurance premiums. Anyone who has been involved in a motoring offence or had their licence revoked will usually find that their motor insurance premiums will also increase significantly.
The probationary period for newly qualified drivers is designed to decrease the amount of accidents and motoring offences. A newly qualified driver who is aware that six or more penalty points can lead to licence revocation is more likely to concentrate and exhibit careful driving skills. Younger drivers should be fully aware of the hazards of driving without adequate experience and the consequences that can come if motoring offences are committed.


Look out guys it’s him that thinks he’s in charge!
Post Reply