Disqualified drivers within the UK have collectively invested over £3.1 million in prolonged driving exams over the past 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 automobile retailer cinch, was revealed by way of a Freedom of Data (FOI) request to the Driver & Car Requirements Company (DVSA).
The research, which covers bookings made at UK driving take a look at centres between 2020 and 2024, supplies perception into the size of licence renewals following disqualification because 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 street. Nevertheless, in additional severe instances, courts typically 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 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 value of a normal 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 greater automobile insurance coverage premiums. The non-public affect may also be profound, doubtlessly involving a prison report for offences similar to drink or harmful driving, and even job loss for these whose occupation 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 have 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 improve)
- 2022: 5,226 bookings (29% year-on-year improve)
- 2023: 5,332 bookings (2% year-on-year improve)
- 2024: 4,055 bookings (24% year-on-year lower)
- Whole: 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 pattern 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 exams on their first try. Moreover, the typical ready time for an prolonged driving take a look at at the moment stands at roughly 24 weeks, including important delays and inconvenience for these in search of to return to authorized driving.
To assist drivers keep away from disqualification, Sheehan supplied essential recommendation: “Don’t take these dashing tickets evenly – they’ll rapidly 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 street (similar to faulty tyres or brakes) may also result in factors in your licence, so don’t take the danger.”
