More than 1.2 million drivers in Great Britain now have active speeding-related penalty points on their licence, with the total rising for the third consecutive year, according to new figures obtained through a Freedom of Information request to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA).
Rise in Speeding Points
The number of licence holders with speeding-related penalty points has increased by 20% in just two years. In 2025, 1,231,744 drivers had such points, up from 1,129,830 in 2024 and 1,023,528 in 2023. There are currently 53,524,094 GB driving licence holders on DVLA records.
Age and Gender Breakdown
Drivers aged 45 to 54 represented the largest group in 2025, accounting for 270,962 motorists with speeding points. Male drivers made up the majority across all age groups, with 856,511 men receiving points compared to 369,233 women, meaning men accounted for nearly 70% of such penalties.
A total of 132,126 drivers currently hold nine penalty points, while 9,682 have 10 points and 4,810 have 11 points. Under UK law, accumulating 12 or more points within three years can lead to disqualification from driving.
Drivers at Risk of Ban
Approximately 157,000 drivers have nine or more points on their licence, meaning they are one offence away from a potential ban. Despite this, around 10,000 drivers still legally hold a licence with at least 12 points. For instance, a 26-year-old man from Flintshire, North Wales, had 229 penalty points but retained a valid licence. He was one of over 50 drivers in the UK with at least 30 points who are permitted to drive, according to BBC data obtained via FOI.
Drivers can face a six-month ban if they accumulate 12 or more points within three years, but they may argue in court that a ban would cause exceptional hardship, such as loss of earnings, allowing them to continue driving even with high points.
Common Speeding Offences
The most common offence was exceeding the statutory speed limit on a public road (SP30), with 73,445 endorsements in 2023, 81,176 in 2024, and 65,575 in 2025. Exceeding the motorway speed limit (SP50) accounted for 21,872 (2023), 22,637 (2024), and 17,566 (2025). Goods vehicle speed limit offences (SP10) numbered 6,385 (2023), 7,365 (2024), and 6,578 (2025).
Expert Comment
Ben Welham, motoring expert at Marshall Motor Group, said: "Speeding remains one of the most common driving offences in the UK, and these figures show just how many motorists are currently carrying penalty points on their licence. While some drivers may see speeding as a relatively minor offence, the data highlights how quickly repeated incidents can build up and place motorists at risk of disqualification."
He added: "The findings also show that speeding is not just an issue among younger drivers. Experienced motorists account for a significant proportion of offences, particularly those in middle-age groups who may spend more time driving for work, commuting or family responsibilities."
Welham concluded: "Ultimately, it's a reminder that even relatively small speeding offences can have much wider consequences if they become repeated behaviour over time."
