Flintshire driver keeps licence despite racking up 229 penalty points

A driver from Flintshire, still holds a valid licence despite racking up 229 penalty points, figures obtained by the BBC reveal.

The data, released by the DVLA following a Freedom of Information request, showed 619 drivers in Wales and over 10,000 across the UK have licences despite exceeding the standard 12-point threshold.

The 26-year-old from Flintshire is one of over 50 drivers across the UK, including nine in Wales, permitted to legally drive despite holding 30 or more penalty points.

Under normal circumstances, drivers face a six-month ban if they accrue 12 or more penalty points within three years.

However, courts can grant exemptions in cases of “exceptional hardship,” such as significant consequences for dependents or job loss.

Motoring law expert Alison Ashworth explained the focus in such cases is not on the offence itself but on the impact of disqualification.

“The court wants to punish the offender, but they don’t want to punish innocent third parties,” she said, adding that magistrates may allow people to continue driving if they present a convincing case.

According to the BBC report, Cardiff had the highest number of high-point licence holders in Wales at 92, while Merthyr Tydfil recorded the lowest with five.

Nationally, three male drivers have accumulated over 100 points, while the highest-point female driver, aged 50, has 96 points.

Road safety campaigners have called for stricter measures to address the issue. Nicholas Lyes, director of policy and standards at IAM RoadSmart, said, “Those with 12 or more points should at least be required to take an additional training course.”

Steve Gooding, director of the RAC Foundation, argued for greater transparency, saying, “Exceptional hardship needs to be truly exceptional, and greater oversight would enhance public confidence in the system.”

High-point cases can arise from multiple offences in quick succession.

For instance, the introduction of 20mph speed limits in Wales has led to scenarios where drivers trigger multiple cameras without immediate notification, according to Ms Ashworth. “They could realistically commit several offences over days before being made aware,” she explained.

While cases involving hundreds of points remain rare, motoring experts stress the importance of balancing road safety with fair punishment.

Ms Ashworth noted that drivers who narrowly avoid bans often become more cautious, though the leniency granted to high-point offenders continues to spark debate.