When individuals learn to drive, there are a number of steps they need to take in order to pass their test to ultimately get their licence and hit the roads. For some drivers, unfortunately, the rules of the road and good driving behaviours that were learnt through their driving school go out the window after passing their test.
It has been reported that on average, over 200,000 motorists are banned from driving each year in the UK, for a range of different offences. We sought to find out which regions in the UK witnessed the most driving bans, what the most common driving offences were in 2021, and the types of punishments given out for dangerous driving.
At Bill Plant Driving School, we want to help new drivers navigate the roads with caution. By providing learners with the best instructors and driving lessons, we help individuals to drive safely for the rest of their lives on the road.
The UK Regions with the Most Disqualified Drivers in 2021
We explored which areas of the UK had the most disqualified drivers in 2021, by retrieving official data from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA). There were a total of 135,242 disqualified drivers in 2021, and these were the UK regions which witnessed the most bans:
- Yorkshire and the Humber
Number of Disqualified Drivers: 18,675
Yorkshire and the Humber topped our list of disqualified drivers in 2021, with a total of 18,675 drivers facing bans. The Yorkshire area is much less populated than other regions on our list, with a population of 5.4 million, and yet still witnessed more driving bans than more populated areas.
In 2021, dashcam footage released by the North Yorkshire Police revealed some of the region’s most reckless and dangerous drivers, as part of the ‘Fatal Five’ campaign, which featured some dangerously reckless overtakes on the county’s roads. In a bid to reduce serious accidents, the police used camera footage from the public to help educate and prosecute dangerous drivers in the area.
- North West England
Number of Disqualified Drivers: 18,511
The area with the second-most disqualified drivers in 2021, was in the North West of England, with a total of 18,511 drivers receiving bans. In 2019, a study by navigation technology provider Garmin and road safety charity Brake found that the North West of England was found to have the highest number of new drivers making major mistakes, which would have seen them fail a driving test.
- London
Number of Disqualified Drivers: 18,468
London witnessed the third-highest number of banned drivers in 2021, with a total of 18,468 individuals receiving bans. Driving in London can be challenging due to traffic congestion and narrow streets. Thankfully, the city has a very well developed public transport system for those who would rather not attempt driving in the capital.
- South East England
Number of Disqualified Drivers: 16,244
The South East of England witnessed 16,244 drivers facing a ban in 2021. Research that year by Motorcycling Outfitters revealed that Kent is one of the most dangerous regions for drivers in December, with the highest number of road accidents in the UK. December has, perhaps unsurprisingly, been labelled one of the most dangerous months for drivers across the country.
- West Midlands
Number of Disqualified Drivers: 12,703
The West Midlands had the fifth-highest number of disqualified drivers, with a total of 12,703 bans in 2021. It is also worth noting that in February 2022, it was found that dozens of drivers in the West Midlands with 12 points on their licences escaped the usual ban, after multiple speeding offences. Magistrates have the right to withhold bans on offenders who are likely to suffer financial hardship from a disqualification. The DVLA reported that 506 people in the region had more than 12 points and were allowed to continue driving.
The Most Common Driving Offences Leading to Bans in the UK in 2021
Now that we have uncovered the regions in the UK with the most disqualified drivers, we will look at the most common driving offences which have led to driving bans in 2021 from the DVLA.
Each endorsement has a code and is given penalty points on a scale of 1 to 11, with more points for more serious offences. Offence codes and penalty points stay on drivers’ records for 4 or 11 years, depending on the severity of the offence.
- Offence: TT99 – Disqualified for having more than 12 points in the “totting up” process
Number of Offences in the UK Leading to Bans: 45,632
Penalty points: N/A
The most cause of driving bans in the UK was under offence code TT99. Almost 46,000 drivers in the UK received a ban under TT99, which is the code relating to disqualification from having more than 12 points on their record.
Code TT99 must stay on a driving record for 4 years from the date of conviction. It shows disqualification under ‘totting-up’ – meaning if the total of penalty points reaches 12 or more within 3 years, the driver can be banned.
- Offence: DR10 – Driving or attempting to drive with alcohol level above limit
Number of Offences in the UK Leading to Bans: 34,969
Penalty Points: 3 to 11
The second-most common offence in the UK leading to driver disqualification was under offence code DR10. Almost 35,000 drivers received a ban under DR10, meaning they were caught driving or attempting to drive with a blood alcohol level above the limit. The offence code DR10 must stay on driving records for 11 years, from the date of conviction.
A conviction under DR10 can incur a minimum 12-month ban with a fine, community order or a prison sentence of up to six months. The level of alcohol in a driver’s system has a direct impact on the level of penalty given.
- Offence: DG10 – Driving or attempting to drive with a drug level above the specified limit
Number of Offences in the UK Leading to Bans: 27,267
Penalty Points: 3 to 11
The third-most common driving offence in the UK leading to disqualification was under offence code DG10. There were 27,267 drivers who received a ban under DG10 in 2021, for driving or attempting to drive with a drug level above the specified limit. The offence code DG10 must stay on a driving record for 11 years from the date of the conviction.
Convictions under DG10, set out in current legislation, reflect those who have been driving or attempting to drive under the influence of either legal (prescription) drugs or illegal drugs. Drivers convicted of DG10 can receive a one-year driving ban with a fine, community order or up to six months in prison. The offence will also mean drivers have a criminal record, even if they are not sent to prison.
- Offence: BA10 – Driving while disqualified by order of a court
Number of Offences in the UK Leading to Bans: 9,529
Penalty Points: 6
The fourth-most common driving offence in the UK leading to disqualification was under offence code BA10. There were 9,529 drivers who received a ban in 2021 under BA10, driving while disqualified by order of a court.
Convictions under the BA10 offence must stay on a driving record for four years from the date of the offence. Driving while disqualified is a strict liability offence, and drivers will receive six penalty points, extensions of their time period of disqualification, or even prison.
- Offence: DR30 – Driving or attempting to drive then failing to supply a specimen for analysis
Number of Offences in the UK Leading to Bans: 8,200
Penalty Points: 3 to 11
The fifth-most common driving offence leading to a ban in the UK was under offence code DR30. There were a total of 8,200 disqualified drivers under DR30, driving or attempting to drive, then failing to supply a specimen for analysis.
Convictions under the DR30 offence must stay on a driving record for 11 years from the date of the conviction. Drivers convicted of DR30 can face a minimum penalty of 12 months of disqualification, and the maximum fine is unlimited. Prison sentences of up to 26 weeks or a community order can be imposed upon conviction of failing to provide a specimen while driving or attempting to drive.
The Most Severe Punishments for Dangerous Driving in the UK
Dangerous driving is a serious offence in the United Kingdom, and if drivers are found guilty of a dangerous driving conviction, they can expect serious penalties. The table below shows the sentencing guidelines for dangerous driving:
Convictions in Court for Dangerous Driving Offences
When drivers are convicted of dangerous driving, courts don’t consider fines as punishment, as offences are deemed too serious to be dealt with this way. The court passes punishments of community orders or custodial prison sentences. The severity of the offence will determine whether a medium or high-level community order is appropriate.
Dangerous driving cases are initially heard in Magistrates’ Courts, although it is possible that cases are moved to the Crown Court. This occurs in more serious cases where a Magistrate does not have the power to sentence to the appropriate level. Cases in Crown Courts have the power to convict a dangerous driver with a punishment of up to two years in prison for serious offences.
Methodology
The UK Regions with the Most Disqualified Drivers in 2021
We started by requesting information from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) under the Freedom Act of Information Act. We received the following information:
1. The number of disqualified drivers per local authority in the UK during the 2021 calendar year. This data was provided by region and not city. We ranked the regions by the number of disqualified drivers in each area. This data is accurate as of 7/11/2022.
The Most Common Driving Offences Leading to Bans in the UK in 2021
We also collected this information from the DVLA, under the Freedom of Information Act. We received the following data:
2. The most common driving offence convictions that led to driving bans in the UK during the 2021 calendar year, and the total for each driving conviction. We ranked the offences by the number of offences leading to driving bans. This data is accurate as of 7/11/2022.
The Most Severe Punishments for Dangerous Driving in the UK
We used Kang & Co Solicitors’ What are the Punishments for Driving Offences? To find the most severe punishments for dangerous driving offences. This data is accurate as of 22/11/2022.
