New Drivers

New drivers face two-year probationary periods from passing practical driving tests. If you accumulate six or more penalty points within two years, your licence is automatically revoked. This applies regardless of when offences occurred, including offences before passing tests if points are imposed within two years.

Revocation means surrendering licences to DVLA and applying for provisional licences. You must retake and pass theory and practical tests before driving unaccompanied again. There’s no exceptional hardship or special reasons procedure to avoid revocation once six points are reached.

Yes, if you commit offences while holding provisional licences but points are imposed after passing tests, they count towards the six-point threshold if imposed within two years of passing. For example, speeding on a provisional licence and prosecuted after passing your test counts.

This catches new drivers unaware. Pending prosecutions from the provisional period should be disclosed when applying for tests. Some new drivers pass tests not realising pending prosecutions will trigger revocation. We advise on timing and defending prosecutions.

If you get six penalty points within your first two years, you will automatically lose your licence. Unlike standard driving bans, you cannot argue ‘exceptional hardship’ to keep it. The only way to save your licence is to stop your total from reaching six points in the first place. We can help with this by defending the charges against you or arguing ‘special reasons’ so the points are never added.

Special reasons can avoid endorsements despite convictions. Technical defences can defeat prosecutions. Challenging procedures or evidence may succeed. However, once six points are imposed, revocation follows automatically. Prevention is crucial for new drivers.

DVLA sends revocation notices requiring licence surrender. Your entitlement to drive ends immediately. You must apply for provisional licences and retake theory and practical tests. You can’t drive unaccompanied until passing tests again.

Insurance costs increase substantially as insurers view revocation seriously. Some refuse cover. Employment requiring driving is affected. Passing tests second time can take months. We advise on timing of licence applications and test bookings minimising periods without licences.

Special reasons allow courts not to endorse licences despite convictions. They must relate to offences not offenders, be matters courts should consider, and be supported by evidence. Common special reasons include emergencies or very short distances driven.

Special reasons are difficult to establish. Courts are sceptical. However, for new drivers approaching six points, special reasons are crucial as they prevent endorsements avoiding revocation. We assess special reasons prospects and present strongest cases.

Most motoring offences carry penalty points. Speeding attracts 3-6 points. Mobile phone use gives 6 points immediately triggering new driver revocation. Careless driving attracts 3-9 points. Insurance offences attract 6-8 points. Traffic light offences attract 3 points.

New drivers must be particularly careful. Single mobile phone offence triggers revocation. Two speeding offences often result in 6 points. We advise new drivers on points risks and defend prosecutions preventing endorsements.

No, the two-year period runs from first passing practical tests. If your licence is revoked and you retake tests, you don’t get a new two-year period. Points imposed within the original two years after first passing count even if you’ve since retaken tests.

This means new drivers who lose licences and repass remain vulnerable if they accumulate more points. Eventually the two-year period expires and normal totting up rules apply requiring 12 points for disqualification. We advise on calculating two-year periods.