When considering leasing a car, it’s useful to know the situation regarding driving licence points. Our article details everything you need to know.
How the Point System Works
Not all driving offences lead to points on a driver’s licence, but most have the potential to. For example, in certain circumstances you can avoid points by taking a driver’s awareness course, such as if your speed was within certain limits and you haven’t already attended such a course within the 3 years prior to your current offence. (You can’t have committed any further offences at the time of the offence either.)
The point system penalises serious offences by placing more points on a driver’s licence, whereas more minor offences will carry fewer points. Failing to stop after an accident is a serious offence that could receive up to 10 penalty points for example, whereas driving with uncorrected defective eyesight carries 3 penalty points because it’s viewed as a more minor offence.
For less serious traffic offences the police can sometimes decide to issue a fixed penalty notice, resulting in a fine and no points. However, depending on the severity, police action can vary from warnings and further driver training through to ultimately charging a driver with an offence.
How Long do Points Stay on a Licence?
Endorsements stay on your driving record for 4 or 11 years depending on the offence. This can start from either the date you’re convicted or the date of your offence.
The endorsement is ‘valid’ for the first 3 years, for a 4-year endorsement and 10 years, for an 11-year endorsement.
An endorsement will stay on a driving record for 4 years from the date of conviction if the offence is for reckless/dangerous driving or results in disqualification.
A court can take your endorsement into account if you commit another offence while it’s valid and the endorsement is still on your driving record when the court considers your case.
Will My Employer Find Out About My Points?
Employers may be able to find out that you have the endorsement at any time during a 4-year endorsement and during the first 5 years of an 11-year endorsement, or the first 30 months if you’re under 18.
Will My Vehicle Insurer Need to Know About My Points?
Insurers will also be able to find out you have an endorsement and in any case this should always be declared. Failing to do so could invalidate your policy and lead to charges of insurance fraud, which carries its own set of legal consequences.
Will My Insurance Increase?
Research suggests receiving three penalty points could raise your car insurance premium by an average of 5%, while six penalty points could push the cost of your insurance up by an average of 25%.
However the increase will likely vary between insurers and depend on your individual circumstances including your age, car make and model, the severity of the offence, and your driving history. If you avoid points on your licence due to having been offered and accepted driver awareness training, your insurance will not increase.
Can I Lease a Car with Points on My Driving Licence?
Whether or not you can lease a car with points on your driving licence will depend on which leasing company you choose and their specific rules. However, most leasing firms will lease vehicles to drivers with some points on their licence. Here at Xcite you can lease a vehicle with points on your licence as long as you aren’t banned or disqualified from driving.
Will the Cost of My Lease Increase with Licence Points?
No, the cost of your lease will not increase due to points on your licence.
Do I Still Need to Pay My Lease if I Get Banned From Driving?
If you accumulate enough points for a driving ban, you’ll still need to pay the remainder of your monthly lease payments. However, if your ban exceeds your lease agreement, you can terminate your lease early. Usually, with an early termination, you’ll have to pay 50% of the outstanding rentals plus any outstanding payments and admin fees applicable.
Which Motoring Offences Can Result in Penalty Points?
Points are most commonly accrued for speeding, mobile phone use, driving without due care and attention, without insurance or while disqualified, and drink or drug-driving offences.
However, there’s a much longer list of misdemeanours than those we hear about most commonly, including driving with dangerous vehicle defects, such as worn tyres, not complying with a solid white line and improperly securing loads or passengers, among others.
Enjoyed this article? Read more of our latest blogs below:
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