Disqualified drivers within the UK have collectively invested over £3.1 million in prolonged driving assessments over the past 5 years, with greater than 21,000 people present process the extra stringent evaluation to regain their driving privileges. This vital expenditure, highlighted in new analysis by on-line used automobile retailer cinch, was revealed by way of a Freedom of Info (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 resulting from critical 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. Nonetheless, in additional critical instances, courts usually order these drivers to undertake an prolonged driving take a look at, a measure designed to make sure they meet the next 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 regular 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 larger automobile insurance coverage premiums. The private impression can be profound, doubtlessly involving a legal report for offences akin to drink or harmful driving, and even job loss for these whose career 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 provided 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 development may alleviate some strain 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 commonly protracted. Solely 60% of drivers move their prolonged driving assessments 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 vital delays and inconvenience for these looking for to return to authorized driving.
To assist drivers keep away from disqualification, Sheehan provided essential recommendation: “Don’t take these rushing tickets flippantly – they will rapidly add up, and 12 factors in your licence is a driving ban. And don’t overlook that driving with a automobile not match for the street (akin to faulty tyres or brakes) also can result in factors in your licence, so don’t take the chance.”
