Driving offences you may not know about that could…

Driving offences you may not know about that could land you with a fine or penalty points

All drivers know they could end up with a fine or penalty points for breaking road safety laws - however there are some rules people may not know about.

Some things are clearly going to get you penalty points as well as a possible court appearance, such as speeding, dangerous driving and using your phone at the wheel. But there are other less obvious habits which could land you in trouble too.

Andy Moody, director at GoShorty, said: "Getting 12 points on your driving licence in less than three years could get you disqualified from driving. On top of that, getting points on your licence will also result in the increase of your insurance policy, as your insurance provider will want to be informed about all your motoring convictions in the past three years (five in some cases)."

He added: "It is for these reasons, as well as to ensure that everyone’s being safe on the road, that it is useful to keep in mind which are the offences that would get you the most points on your licence."

The points you’ve collected on your licence will expire after three years, however this doesn’t mean the offence will be erased from your driving record in the same amount of time - this could take up to 11 years, reports the Liverpool Echo.

The most shocking offences that will get points on your driver's licence

Sleeping inside your vehicle: up to 10 points
Using your mobile phone for payments at a drive-through: up to 6 points
Using your mobile phone while supervising a learner driver from the passenger seat: up to 6 points
Splashing pedestrians: up to 3 points (and a fine of up to £5,000!)
Driving with a broken brake light: up to 3 points

Offences that will get you the most points

Driving with alcohol or drug level above limit : up to 11
Causing death or injury driving while disqualified, unlicenced or uninsured: up to 11 points
Causing death by careless driving: up to 11 points
Culpable homicide while driving: up to 11 points
Dangerous driving: up to 11 points
Motor racing on the highway: up to 11 points
Failing to stop after an accident: up to 10 points
Careless and inconsiderate driving: up to 9 points
If your vehicle is uninsured against third party risks: up to 8 points

Other offences

Driving while disqualified: 6 points
Exceeding speed limits: up to 6 points
Using a mobile phone while driving: up to 6 points
If your vehicle has defective brakes, defective tyres, defective steering, other defective accessories, or has too many passengers: 3 points
Not complying to traffic directions and signs (this includes lights signals, double white lines, not stopping at a stop sign, and so on): 3 points
Not stopping at pedestrian crossings: 3 points
Driving with uncorrected eyesight: 3 points

How to find out how many points you have on your driving licence

Visit the Government’s dedicated website here.
Enter your information: you will need your driving licence number, your national insurance number, and the postcode on your licence.
Head over to the ‘penalties and disqualifications’ tab.

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