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UK Cities Lead in Penalty Points for Motorists
A new analysis of data from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) has revealed that London has the highest number of penalty points among UK cities, with over 1.76 million points. This is more than triple the next highest city, Birmingham, and accounts for over 14% of the country's total number of penalty points.
The study, conducted by number plate dealer Regtransfers, also found that Halifax, Huddersfield, and Plymouth have a high proportion of drivers with points on their licence. In these major towns and cities, around one in ten motorists have at least one penalty point on their record. Halifax tops the table with more than one in 10 licences (10.1%) registered in the area having one or more penalty points.
London's high number of penalty points may highlight areas where driving education and good driving habits might be lacking, according to Mark Trimbee, chief executive of Regtransfers. He added that points can be issued anywhere in the UK, not just in the driver's registered area.
The national average number of points per driver with endorsements is four, but in these cities, the average is higher. On a per capita basis, London leads the table with 212 penalty points per 1,000 licences, double the national town average.
While Oxford has the highest average number of penalty points per motorist, with an average of five points per driver, it does not appear in the top 10 list of areas with the highest proportion of drivers carrying existing offences.
The DVLA data used in the analysis is accurate to May 2025. However, no publicly accessible source currently provides a direct comparison of the number or proportion of drivers with points on their licence in a specific postcode area versus the average across areas.
The data was based on the latest driver records held by the DVLA's database, which was last published in May. As of May 2025, Britons currently have 12 million active penalty points. It's worth noting that endorsements stay on your driving record for four or 11 years depending on the offence.
Despite the lack of detailed statistics for specific postcode areas, this analysis offers a valuable insight into the areas of the UK with the highest concentration of motorists with points on their driving licences.
- In the UK, the finance and banking-and-insurance sector, specifically the insurance industry, might benefit from increased demand due to the high number of penalty points accumulated by motorists in certain cities, such as London.
- The interior-design and lifestyle sectors may experience potential opportunities in these cities, as there could be a need for re-education on road safety and driving habits to reduce the number of penalty points.
- The home-and-garden and home-improvement industries could also find opportunities in regions with a high number of penalty points, as those areas might have a higher demand for safer transportation alternatives, such as bike lanes or pedestrian walkways.
- With London having an average of 212 penalty points per 1,000 licences, the gadgets and technology industry, specifically smartphone manufacturers, may consider partnering with local governments to develop and promote safer driving applications.
- The sports industry, particularly football and European leagues, could potentially collaborate with municipalities to create campaigns that reinforce the importance of safe driving, especially in areas with a high proportion of drivers with penalty points, like London, Birmingham, Halifax, Huddersfield, and Plymouth.
- The trends revealed in the study could influence future transportation and urban planning decisions, as cities strive to create safer environments for their residents, such as investing in public transportation options or improving road infrastructure.
- As each penalty point stays on a driver's record for four or 11 years, the collective impact on the driving records of British motorists could result in higher insurance premiums, impacting the overall economy and the financial well-being of households in these high-penalty point areas.
