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Original poster

To ask if you have had 12 points on your license and if so what happened?

173 replies

daysayso · 22/08/2022 11:35

I have 9 points currently, I have had a letter to say I was speeding 53 mph on a 40mph motorway temporary speed limit

Once I reach 12 points I've read it's an auto ban - unless you can prove hardship.

Has anyone got to 12 points and either successfully appealed it or got away with it and if so how?

No smart comments please these is really stressing me out

Thanks in advance

OP posts:
SarahProblem · 22/08/2022 20:58

Windbeneathmybingowings · 22/08/2022 20:54

I hope the ban comes as delightfully wrapped as you do OP, you break the law with such flair and daring. Not a single introspective thought, it’s so very charming in a tailgater with full beam and anger issues.

The time off from the motorway will help you calm the fuck down.

Couldn't have said it better.

FinallyHere · 22/08/2022 21:00

Do check the status of your licence. As PP has pointed out, points do eventually expire.

https://www.gov.uk/penalty-points-endorsements/how-to-check-your-endorsement-details

DH represented himself, on exceptional hardship due to limited mobility caused by surgery / radiotherapy for a rare kind of cancer.

He is a blue badge holder.

His licence is endorsed with a note that he has been granted this leniency and cannot expect to get off again if he ever reaches 12 points again.

I received confirmation that a fixed penalty would not be offered because the three point penalty would take me to the twelve point totting up automatic ban and that my case had been sent to the magistrates court.

The court was so overloaded, they were prioritising cases of DV and children. They never got round to prosecuting me. Seven years later, the records of my points had all run out and I knew I was safe.

I've been pretty careful ever since. Use cruise control to avoid speeding all the time.

p.s. I did initially contact specialist legal advice. They told me to come back to them when I had a court date. Turned out I never got that court date.

Popsicle33 · 22/08/2022 21:01

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SummerNightsDriftingAway · 22/08/2022 21:03

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sheepandcaravan · 22/08/2022 21:03

Would also add if Scotland, much much much harder to establish.

England much simpler process.

SavoirFlair · 22/08/2022 21:04

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Ok @daysayso I was all prepared to try and help until I read this comment

You don’t need help or advice trying to get off the 12 points

You probably need a driving ban. You need to be off the roads because this kind of post shows no introspection; reflection or understanding of how you got here

Variable speed limits are not a scam. The world hasn’t conspired against you. You are the one driving poorly and consistently poorly, so that you have ended up facing a ban.

That’s on you.

Rosewaterblossom · 22/08/2022 21:07

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To be fair, although wrong, 50 in a 40 on a motorway is not the worst of offences the OP could have gotten points for so the replies are a bit harsh.

How long do points last for until they are dropped?

SummerNightsDriftingAway · 22/08/2022 21:10

@Rosewaterblossom

Jesus effing Christ. There would have been a REASON for it being a 40 (road works, hazard in road etc)...not just for fun.

A speeding offence is an offense regardless of 'severity'...which no-one on here can make a value judgement on

VacayingInTheHamptons · 22/08/2022 21:11

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What an angry little person you are. Hope you lose your licence and much more!

diddl · 22/08/2022 21:12

Dangerous drivers keep their license because they need to drive for work.

You couldn't make it up!

SavoirFlair · 22/08/2022 21:14

It’s the arrogance of some British people who seem to think that despite having failed to observe the rules of the road multiple times, oh no… punishment can’t be for them because driving is like a human right and can’t be taken away

its so depressing. People tying themselves in knots to find any possible reason of how to get out of a ban when they could have used that energy to watch the actual road and the signs

Lockheart · 22/08/2022 21:15

It's not a scam OP. Drivers must be able to read the road signs and pay attention. The fact you have accumulated this many points does suggest this is a real problem for you.

Going into court telling everyone to do one and ranting about how it's a scam will not do you any favours.

Book yourself some refresher driving lessons, demonstrate that you are genuinely trying to change and do better, and you may get as light a punishment as the law allows.

PanicAtTheBigTesco · 22/08/2022 21:16

LuckySnips · 22/08/2022 20:58

I'm not at all sympathetic to speeding, but I'm curious about the temp speed limits on motorways. I see them almost every time I go on the m5 and no-one sticks to them if there's no busy traffic. I try and stick to them but you do feel like you're winding everyone else up because they're doing at least 60 when the temp sign has said 50. How often are these enforced?

They are enforced 100% of the time as there are cameras, however there aren't cameras on every set of overhead signs, so if you drive the route regularly you can soon remember which ones have cameras and which don't and therefore only slow down for the ones with cameras. Not saying I do this before anyone comes for me just that this it what others do!

LaQuern · 22/08/2022 21:16

OP if you get to keep your licence (and I sincerely hope you do), do what I do and always drive a full 10 mph under whatever the speed limit is.

Pisses everyone off, especially in a 30, but I refuse to pay another penny towards a fine or speed awareness course, but I'm rather bloody minded like that.

And as I'm sure many people on this thread will piously say... 'it's a speed limit, not a target...'

Rosewaterblossom · 22/08/2022 21:18

SummerNightsDriftingAway · 22/08/2022 21:10

@Rosewaterblossom

Jesus effing Christ. There would have been a REASON for it being a 40 (road works, hazard in road etc)...not just for fun.

A speeding offence is an offense regardless of 'severity'...which no-one on here can make a value judgement on

I'm not defending the OPs actions, I'm merely saying in the grand scheme of things, the points could have been for a much more serious offence such as doing 45 in a 20 zone near a school or texting whilst driving. You see the majority of drivers going faster than the limit imposed in those zones on a motorway most of the time. Not right no, but it happens.

Theawkwardblonde · 22/08/2022 21:19

Sorry op but you should be banned if you're up to 12 points. It's not hard to abide by rules of the road.
As someone who can no longer drive for medical reasons (and was a qualified advanced driver for years) it infuriates me when people try to "get off" or avoid punishment for their shitty driving.

Driving is a privilege - don't abuse it by driving shit then whinge when facing a ban.

Stag82 · 22/08/2022 21:22

You may be able to go on a speed awareness course (you can go on one every three years) but you do have to be within a certain percentage of the limit. If you complete the form they will
let you know if you can go on it.

Speeding points now stay on your licence for 4 years

Endlesslypatient82 · 22/08/2022 21:30

PanicAtTheBigTesco · 22/08/2022 21:16

They are enforced 100% of the time as there are cameras, however there aren't cameras on every set of overhead signs, so if you drive the route regularly you can soon remember which ones have cameras and which don't and therefore only slow down for the ones with cameras. Not saying I do this before anyone comes for me just that this it what others do!

Show quote history

How do you know then? 😂

Sooveritallnow · 22/08/2022 21:32

My old boss, who was a total twat, in every way possible successfully argued exceptional hardship. His excuse was that as he was a part owner in a niche firm and it would have to close if he couldn't get to work every day and 75 people would lose their job. He was so proud of this and couldnt stop telling anyone that would listen. His excuse was total bollox as he only came to office once a month anyway and left ops director to run the place rest of time. The magistrate clearly take excuses at face value so you could make up any old shit as long as it was believable. He was told though that if he received any further points in 3 years he would lose his licence as he couldn't use the same excuse twice.

Agrudge · 22/08/2022 21:37

LaQuern · 22/08/2022 21:16

OP if you get to keep your licence (and I sincerely hope you do), do what I do and always drive a full 10 mph under whatever the speed limit is.

Pisses everyone off, especially in a 30, but I refuse to pay another penny towards a fine or speed awareness course, but I'm rather bloody minded like that.

And as I'm sure many people on this thread will piously say... 'it's a speed limit, not a target...'

You honestly think this is a good way to drive????

Walnutwhipplease · 22/08/2022 21:39

OP search "Sentencing Council totting up disqualification". Will show you what magistrates are working to.

PanicAtTheBigTesco · 22/08/2022 21:47

@Endlesslypatient82 because it's obvious if you drive on motorways regularly! It's a bit suspicious when lots of people brake at one sign but not the next, then the next day you drive through and notice there's a camera at the one everyone braked at the day before Grin

TheFairyCaravan · 22/08/2022 21:48

If being able to drive is imperative for your job then surely you’d make sure you followed the rules?

I’ve got zero sympathy for you and hope you do lose your license. Speed kills and you’re yet to learn your lesson. You absolutely do need a harsher punishment.

VacayingInTheHamptons · 22/08/2022 21:51

Hopefully this will get deleted. Mumsnet currently have a promoted thread about driving safely, pointing out the importance of the speed limit. It hardly seems appropriate that they keep a thread up like this, it’s disgusting if they do really.

Fink · 22/08/2022 22:08

LuckySnips · 22/08/2022 20:58

I'm not at all sympathetic to speeding, but I'm curious about the temp speed limits on motorways. I see them almost every time I go on the m5 and no-one sticks to them if there's no busy traffic. I try and stick to them but you do feel like you're winding everyone else up because they're doing at least 60 when the temp sign has said 50. How often are these enforced?

It depends on whether it's a variable speed limit smart motorway, or an old-style standard motorway with a temporary speed limit in place. On the smart motorways, the speed cameras automatically adjust to the speed limit in place at the time. On the standard motorways, the only way you would get caught would be a) if they had put temporary fixed speed cameras up (e.g. for an average speed check area through road works) or b) from a mobile speed camera. Obviously not all cameras are switched on, but in my area (London) there are definitely cameras operating on the smart motorways, I know quite a few people who have been caught by them this year.