HOW TO AVOID PICKING UP PENALTY POINTS (ESPECIALLY SPEEDING)
Getting penalty points on your driving licence can be more than just an inconvenience — it can raise your insurance premiums, threaten your job, and even result in a driving ban. With speeding now responsible for over 80% of motoring offences in the UK, staying penalty-free has never been more important.
Here’s a detailed guide on how to avoid collecting points, keep your record clean, and drive safely within the law.
1. Stay Aware of Speed Limits — They Change More Often Than You Think
Speed limits aren’t static. Between roadworks, temporary restrictions, and new 20 mph zones being introduced across towns and cities, limits can change several times within a short drive.
👉 Tips:
2. Use Technology to Help You Stay Compliant
Modern cars make it easier than ever to stick to the rules. Cruise control, speed limiters, and driver-assist tech can help keep your speed consistent.
👉 Practical ideas:
3. Know Your Speed Camera Hotspots
The UK has thousands of fixed and mobile speed cameras, and they’re not just on motorways anymore. Local councils and police forces are increasingly installing cameras in suburban and residential areas to enforce 20 mph and 30 mph limits.
👉 What you can do:
4. Don’t Rely on “Feeling” Your Speed
It’s easy to think you know your car well enough to “feel” whether you’re going too fast, but that’s a common trap. Road surface, noise insulation, and even music volume can affect your perception of speed.
👉 Instead:
5. Take Advantage of Speed Awareness Courses
If you’re caught speeding for the first time (and your offence is minor), you may be offered a Speed Awareness Course instead of penalty points. It’s a valuable opportunity to learn, reflect, and avoid points on your record.
👉 Why it matters:
6. Avoid Repeated Offences — They Add Up Quickly
Penalty points stay on your licence for 4 to 11 years, depending on the severity of the offence. Even small infractions can push you toward disqualification if you’re not careful.
👉 Remember:
7. Plan Your Journey — Don’t Let Time Pressure Cause Speeding
Running late is one of the most common reasons people speed. It’s also one of the easiest to fix.
👉 Practical changes:
8. Be Extra Cautious in New 20 mph Zones
Many local authorities, including Wales, Bristol, and London boroughs, have rolled out extensive 20 mph speed limits in 2024–2025. These zones are heavily monitored and have very low tolerance thresholds.
👉 To stay safe:
9. Maintain Your Car — Especially Tyres and Brakes
Speeding isn’t the only way to get points. Faulty lights, worn tyres, or defective brakes can all lead to endorseable offences and fines.
👉 Checklist:
10. Keep Learning — Safe Driving Is a Lifelong Skill
Even experienced drivers benefit from refreshing their skills. Road layouts, enforcement rules, and vehicle technologies evolve quickly.
👉 Consider:
Final Thoughts
Avoiding penalty points isn’t just about dodging fines — it’s about building safer habits that protect you, your passengers, and everyone else on the road.
If you remember only one thing, let it be this: most penalty points come from small, preventable mistakes. Stay aware, stay calm, and use every tool at your disposal to keep your licence clean.
Here’s a detailed guide on how to avoid collecting points, keep your record clean, and drive safely within the law.
1. Stay Aware of Speed Limits — They Change More Often Than You Think
Speed limits aren’t static. Between roadworks, temporary restrictions, and new 20 mph zones being introduced across towns and cities, limits can change several times within a short drive.
👉 Tips:
- Always look for speed-limit signs when entering a new road or zone.
- Don’t assume rural roads are always 60 mph — many have lower limits now.
- Use your car’s sat-nav or smartphone map with live speed-limit updates.
- If there’s any doubt, play it safe and stay slightly below what you think the limit is.
2. Use Technology to Help You Stay Compliant
Modern cars make it easier than ever to stick to the rules. Cruise control, speed limiters, and driver-assist tech can help keep your speed consistent.
👉 Practical ideas:
- Cruise control: Perfect for long motorway drives where your speed can creep up without realising.
- Speed limiters: Many cars let you cap your speed — useful in urban areas or average-speed zones.
- Driver-assist apps: Apps like Waze, Cuvva, or Google Maps warn you of fixed and mobile speed cameras in real time.
- Dashboard alerts: Set visual or audio speed alerts if your vehicle supports them.
3. Know Your Speed Camera Hotspots
The UK has thousands of fixed and mobile speed cameras, and they’re not just on motorways anymore. Local councils and police forces are increasingly installing cameras in suburban and residential areas to enforce 20 mph and 30 mph limits.
👉 What you can do:
- Check your region’s police or council website for speed camera locations.
- Use crowd-sourced data from apps like Waze, which updates based on user reports.
- Stay especially alert in school zones, rural villages, and dual carriageways with varying limits.
4. Don’t Rely on “Feeling” Your Speed
It’s easy to think you know your car well enough to “feel” whether you’re going too fast, but that’s a common trap. Road surface, noise insulation, and even music volume can affect your perception of speed.
👉 Instead:
- Regularly glance at your speedometer.
- Adjust your driving if you’ve changed vehicles — especially between manual and automatic transmissions.
- In electric vehicles (EVs), be extra cautious — they accelerate silently, making it even harder to gauge speed by feel alone.
5. Take Advantage of Speed Awareness Courses
If you’re caught speeding for the first time (and your offence is minor), you may be offered a Speed Awareness Course instead of penalty points. It’s a valuable opportunity to learn, reflect, and avoid points on your record.
👉 Why it matters:
- You won’t receive penalty points if you complete the course.
- Your insurance premiums are less likely to increase.
- You’ll leave with practical strategies for safer driving.
6. Avoid Repeated Offences — They Add Up Quickly
Penalty points stay on your licence for 4 to 11 years, depending on the severity of the offence. Even small infractions can push you toward disqualification if you’re not careful.
👉 Remember:
- 12 points within 3 years = automatic ban (usually 6 months).
- New drivers (within 2 years of passing) face licence revocation after just 6 points.
- You can’t take multiple speed awareness courses within a short timeframe — most drivers only qualify once every three years.
7. Plan Your Journey — Don’t Let Time Pressure Cause Speeding
Running late is one of the most common reasons people speed. It’s also one of the easiest to fix.
👉 Practical changes:
- Leave 10–15 minutes earlier than usual, especially for commutes or appointments.
- Use real-time traffic apps to plan routes that avoid congestion.
- Remind yourself that arriving two minutes late is always better than getting three points and a £100 fine.
8. Be Extra Cautious in New 20 mph Zones
Many local authorities, including Wales, Bristol, and London boroughs, have rolled out extensive 20 mph speed limits in 2024–2025. These zones are heavily monitored and have very low tolerance thresholds.
👉 To stay safe:
- Use 2nd or 3rd gear in manual cars to naturally control your speed.
- Keep a steady rhythm — don’t alternate between braking and accelerating.
- Assume enforcement cameras are active, even if you don’t see them.
9. Maintain Your Car — Especially Tyres and Brakes
Speeding isn’t the only way to get points. Faulty lights, worn tyres, or defective brakes can all lead to endorseable offences and fines.
👉 Checklist:
- Tyres: minimum tread depth of 1.6 mm across the central three-quarters.
- Brakes: check for wear, noises, or vibration.
- Lights: test all bulbs regularly, especially before long drives.
- Number plate: make sure it’s clean, visible, and correctly formatted.
10. Keep Learning — Safe Driving Is a Lifelong Skill
Even experienced drivers benefit from refreshing their skills. Road layouts, enforcement rules, and vehicle technologies evolve quickly.
👉 Consider:
- Taking an advanced driving course (e.g. IAM RoadSmart or RoSPA).
- Watching updated DVSA safety videos online.
- Following official motoring organisations for changes in driving laws.
Final Thoughts
Avoiding penalty points isn’t just about dodging fines — it’s about building safer habits that protect you, your passengers, and everyone else on the road.
If you remember only one thing, let it be this: most penalty points come from small, preventable mistakes. Stay aware, stay calm, and use every tool at your disposal to keep your licence clean.
