New driver licence revocation for six points

Hello! I am Gemma, a legal assistant at Lawyer Destroyer. I would be happy to explain how the rules work for new drivers.

The short answer is yes. If a new driver builds up six or more penalty points within two years of passing their driving test, their driving licence will be revoked.

Here is exactly how the rules work and what happens if a licence is lost.

The legal position:

Under the Road Traffic (New Drivers) Act, everyone who passes their driving test is subject to a two-year probationary period. This period starts on the exact day you pass your practical driving test.

If you reach six penalty points during this two-year window, the DVLA must revoke your driving licence.

It is important to know that points gained while driving on a provisional licence also count. If a learner driver gets three penalty points on their provisional licence, those points carry over when they pass their test. If they then get another three points during their first two years as a qualified driver, they will hit the six-point limit and lose their licence.

The difference between a revoked licence and a driving ban:

Having your licence revoked under the new driver rules is slightly different from being disqualified or banned by a court. A court ban usually prevents you from driving for a fixed period of time. Under the new driver rules, your licence is simply cancelled by the DVLA. There is no waiting period, but you are put right back to the start of the process.

Practical next steps to get back on the road:

If your licence is revoked, you cannot legally drive a car until you have gone through the process of getting a new one. To drive again, you will need to do the following:

1. Apply and pay for a new provisional driving licence from the DVLA.
2. Drive strictly under learner rules, which means displaying L plates and being supervised by a qualified driver at all times.
3. Book and pass the theory test again.
4. Book and pass the practical driving test again.

Important things to keep in mind:

Passing your test for a second time does not wipe the slate clean. The original penalty points will stay on your driving record until they expire, which is usually after three years.

However, you will not have to go through a second two-year probationary period. Once you pass your test the second time, you will switch to the standard rules for experienced drivers. Under the standard rules, you would normally only face a driving ban if you build up twelve penalty points within a three-year period.

I hope this makes the rules clear! Please let me know if you are dealing with a specific situation and need some guidance on managing the penalties or dealing with the DVLA.