The DVLA has revoked nearly 24,000 driving licences in a crackdown on motorists with penalty points, according to new government data. In 2025, 23,800 offenders were disqualified through the penalty points system, a decrease of 33% compared to the previous year. The figures, released by the Labour government, also show that prosecutions for motoring offences causing death remained unchanged at 450, 26% above the lowest level recorded in 2022.
Penalty Points and Disqualification Rules
Drivers can be disqualified if they accumulate 12 or more penalty points within three years. New drivers face stricter rules. Endorsements remain on a driving record for 4 or 11 years, depending on the offence. The DVLA data highlights a rise in specific offences, including a 19% increase in failing to supply driver identity information (from 88,700 in 2024 to 105,900 in 2025) and a 10% rise in vehicle registration and excise licence offences (from 147,200 to 161,700), the highest on record.
Dangerous Driving Prosecutions Soar
Prosecutions for dangerous driving hit a series high of 4,700, up 34% from the previous year. Conviction and sentence volumes increased in line with prosecutions, with 95% of motoring offence sentences resulting in a fine. Rod Dennis, from the RAC, commented: "Technology, such as intervening intelligent speed assistance which can be used to stop repeat or excessive speeders from speeding again, could play a valuable role here. But the trebling of convictions related to vehicle registrations since 2015 – which includes people using or keeping untaxed vehicles – is also particularly worrying."
Custody Rates and Fines
The custody rate for motoring offences causing death fluctuated between 56% and 68% over the last five years. Almost all motoring offence sentences (95%) were dealt with via fines. The DVLA advises drivers to check their driving licence record to see current penalty points and when they will be removed.
