Drivers Aged 13 to 101 Banned Under ‘Totting Up’ Rules Drivers Aged 13 and 101 Shock Thousands Banned Under ‘Totting Up’ Law
New DVLA data has exposed jaw-dropping stats about UK motorists banned under the notorious ‘totting-up’ rules. Among those suspended last year were youngsters as young as 13 from South East England and the West Midlands — well below the legal driving age. At the other end of the spectrum, a 101-year-old woman was caught out for accumulating 12 points back in 2018, more than a year after receiving her Queen’s telegram.
Teenagers with Points? Blimey, They’re Not Even Licensed!
The figures, obtained through a Freedom of Information request, cover England, Scotland, and Wales over the past four years. No female under driving age earned a suspension, but at least six 15-year-old boys and 14 lads aged 16 racked up enough points to get banned. The youngest fully licensed driver banned was just 18.
Duncan McClure Fisher, MotorEasy CEO, said: “It’s frowned upon for adults to collect so many points for offences such as speeding, so for youngsters four years below the legal driving age to have amassed them is mind-boggling.”
Oldest Drivers Banned: 101-Year-Old OAP Among Them
On the flip side, elderly drivers are also hitting the 12-point mark. A 101-year-old woman in South West England was banned in 2018, alongside a 94-year-old man from East England. Female drivers dominated the upper age brackets, with at least three women aged 92 and two aged 90 banned over the four-year period. Meanwhile, at least 16 drivers in their 90s, including a 98-year-old and several in their mid-90s, were also suspended.
McClure Fisher added: “While there’s no legal need to retake your test later in life, drivers aged 70+ must renew their licences every three years, declaring they’re fit to drive. To still be behind the wheel at 101 is remarkable, but clearly some OAP drivers haven’t maintained road standards.”
Totting-Up Ban Numbers on the Rise
The total number of drivers banned under TT99 offences climbed from 34,485 in 2018 to 38,187 in 2021, with a dip in 2020 due to the pandemic. Totting up means hitting 12 penalty points within three years – usually leading to an automatic ban.
Even children and teens without licences can be slapped with formal bans, which usually expire by the time they turn 17. However, the endorsements stick to their driving records. Courts can waive bans if a suspension would cause ‘exceptional hardship’. Between 2017 and 2021, roughly 35,000 drivers dodged bans this way — sparking calls from road safety campaigners for the government to close this loophole.
Drivers Banned Under Totting-Up Rule (England, Scotland & Wales)
- 2018: 34,485
- 2019: 38,000
- 2020: 36,483
- 2021: 38,187
