Which Areas in the UK Have the Most Provisional Driving Offences?

Last Updated on March 11, 2025

When learning to drive, it’s essential to understand road laws (such as the highway code), safe driving practices, and the consequences of making mistakes on the road. However, some learner drivers accumulate penalty points on their provisional licences due to violating traffic rules that will equally apply to full licence holders. These offences can have long-term consequences, including higher insurance costs and potential driving bans before even passing a driving test.

Using UK government data from November 2013 to November 2024, obtained via a Freedom of Information Request, we’ve analysed which counties in the UK have the highest number of penalty points on provisional licences. We’ll explore trends by age and gender and consider potential reasons behind the regional differences.

What Is Meant by a Provisional Driving Offence?

Getting a provisional licence is one of the first steps for individuals learning to drive in the UK. While a provisional licence allows learners to operate a vehicle under supervision, they must follow strict rules, including:

• Always being accompanied by a full licence holder aged 21 or older who has held their licence for at least three years.
• Displaying L plates (or D plates in Wales).
• Not driving on motorways unless accompanied by an approved driving instructor.

Breaking these rules, along with committing general road traffic offences, can lead to the accumulation of penalty points on a provisional licence. Some common offences include:

• Speeding
• Using a mobile phone while driving
• Driving without insurance
• Failing to comply with road signs

Penalty points remain on a licence for at least four years, and if a learner accumulates six or more points before passing their test, they may face additional restrictions, such as needing to reapply for their provisional licence.

Which Areas in the UK Have Accumulated the Most Points on Provisional Licences?

Data from DVLA Freedom of Information Request

Based on government data, Greater London has the highest number of provisional licence penalty points, with a staggering 19,647 offences recorded. This is significantly higher than the second highest, the West Midlands, with 5,170 offences. Other high-ranking areas include Greater Manchester (4,212), West Yorkshire (3,901), and Merseyside (2,182).

Key Takeaways:

• Greater London leads by a wide margin, with nearly four times as many offences as the next highest region. This could be due to high population density, increased road policing, and a greater number of provisional drivers navigating busy urban roads.
• Urban areas dominate the top rankings, suggesting that more complex road systems, congestion, and higher enforcement rates contribute to increased offences.
• Areas with lower population densities, such as Orkney Islands, Eilean Siar, and Shetland Islands, have the least offences, which is expected given fewer drivers and less traffic enforcement in rural areas.
• Male drivers account for the vast majority of offences, with 66,538 offences compared to 16,551 for female drivers. This aligns with broader road safety studies that suggest young male drivers are statistically more likely to take risks on the road. In terms of young driver fatalities, males account for 80% of fatalities in vehicle collisions.

Male Penalty Points on a Provisional Licence by Age

Data from DVLA Freedom of Information Request

Young male drivers on provisional licences tend to accumulate penalty points at a higher rate than their female counterparts. The combination of inexperience and risk-taking behaviour among young men contributes to higher rates of speeding, dangerous driving, and other offences. Studies suggest that male drivers under 25 are more likely to engage in risky driving habits, including:

• Speeding and aggressive driving
• Overconfidence in their driving ability
• Driving late at night or in poor weather conditions

These factors contribute to a higher number of penalty points among young male learners, highlighting the need for increased education on safe driving practices before and after passing the test. This links to studies which suggest that the male brain changes later than female brains, which is suggested to be a reason as to why young male drivers are often classed as higher risk, than young females.

Female Penalty Points on a Provisional Licence by Age

Data from DVLA Freedom of Information Request

While female learners accumulate fewer penalty points overall, they are not immune to driving offences. The data shows that provisional licence holders of all genders still receive penalties for common offences such as speeding and driving without insurance. However, research suggests that female drivers, particularly younger ones, tend to be more cautious behind the wheel, contributing to their lower offence rates.

Conclusion

The data highlights a stark divide in provisional driving offences across the UK, with urban areas seeing the highest numbers and rural counties reporting significantly fewer infractions. Greater London leads the statistics, likely due to its dense road network, frequent police patrols, and large population.

Male drivers account for the majority of offences, reinforcing the need for targeted road safety campaigns aimed at young men. Regardless of gender or location, learner drivers must be aware of the rules surrounding provisional licences and the severe consequences of accumulating penalty points before they even pass their test.

FAQs