Driving a Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) carries significant responsibility, particularly when it comes to maintaining a clean driving record, hence, most people think “How many points can a HGV driver have”. In the UK, accumulating too many penalty points or being convicted of serious driving offences can result in disqualification from driving. Whether you’re a new driver or have years of experience, understanding the rules surrounding disqualification, the consequences of accumulating penalty points, and how these affect your career as an HGV driver is essential.
What Leads to Disqualification from Driving?
In the UK, two main factors can lead to disqualification from driving:
- Accumulating 12 or More Penalty Points: If you accumulate 12 or more penalty points within a 3-year period, authorities will disqualify you from driving. These points add up from driving offences such as speeding, running red lights, or more serious offences like dangerous driving or drink-driving.
- Being Convicted of a Driving-Related Offence: Serious driving offences, especially those that endanger public safety, can result in immediate disqualification from driving.
The length of your disqualification depends on your specific case and driving history. For example, a driver who reaches the 12-point threshold may face a 6-month ban. However, repeat offenders can face longer disqualifications.
Penalty Points for Serious Driving Offences
Certain offences are serious enough to lead to immediate disqualification or heavy penalties, even if they don’t reach the 12-point threshold. These include:
- Driving under the influence (DUI): Whether alcohol or drugs, driving under the influence is a serious offence that can result in a heavy fine, a long disqualification, and up to 11 penalty points.
- Dangerous or Reckless Driving: Reckless or dangerous driving can result in a fine, disqualification, and 9–11 penalty points, depending on the specifics of the case.
Courts often treat these offences as severe enough to justify immediate disqualification, which can disrupt both your personal and professional life as an HGV driver.
Can I Get an HGV Licence with Have Points?
The number of penalty points on your licence can impact your eligibility for an HGV licence. Here’s how it breaks down:
- Minor Offences (3–6 Points): A few points for minor offences, like slight speeding violations or failing to signal, typically won’t prevent you from applying for an HGV licence. However, accumulating more points may affect your chances.
- Moderate Offences (7–11 Points): If you have 7–11 points on your licence, obtaining an HGV licence might become more challenging. It won’t automatically disqualify you, but authorities will likely scrutinise your driving history more closely.
- Serious Offences (12 or More Points): If you have 12 or more penalty points, you’ll face an automatic disqualification under the totting-up system. You can’t apply for an HGV licence during the disqualification period. You may also need to reapply for a standard driving licence and retake your driving test before you can qualify for an HGV licence again.
What Happens if I Get Points While Holding an HGV Licence?
If you already hold an HGV licence, accumulating penalty points could lead to serious professional consequences, particularly if you approach or exceed the 12-point limit:
- 6 Points: You can still drive, but you must be cautious. Any further offences could lead to disqualification.
- 9 Points: You’re at high risk of disqualification, and any more points could result in a ban.
- 12 Points: If you reach 12 points, authorities will automatically disqualify you from driving. You may need to reapply for your licence and pass an extended test before being allowed to drive an HGV again.
How Many Points Can You Accumulate Before Being Banned?
HGV drivers follow the same penalty point system as other UK drivers, but because of the nature of the job, the consequences of accumulating points can be particularly severe. Here’s what you need to know about the point system:
- Provisional HGV Licence Holders: If you’re still learning to drive an HGV and hold a provisional licence, you can accumulate up to 6 points before authorities may revoke your licence. This is stricter than for full licence holders, as authorities want new drivers to maintain high standards of road safety.
- Full HGV Licence Holders: If you hold a full HGV licence, you can accumulate 12 penalty points. If you reach this limit, you risk disqualification for at least 6 months, depending on the severity of your offences.
Understanding the Totting-Up System
The “totting-up” procedure refers to the automatic disqualification that occurs when a driver accumulates 12 or more penalty points within a 3-year period. The totting-up ban is especially critical for HGV drivers, as losing your licence can threaten your livelihood. Here’s what happens if you reach the 12-point threshold:
- First Instance (12 Points): You’ll face a minimum 6-month ban from driving.
- Second Instance (Within 3 Years): If you’ve been disqualified once before and accumulate 12 more points, your ban could increase to 12 months.
- Third Instance (Within 3 Years): A third disqualification could lead to a 2-year ban.
The court will consider the type of offences you’ve committed and your driving history before determining the length of your ban.
What Happens After You Are Disqualified?
If you’re disqualified from driving for 56 days or more, you’ll need to apply for a new licence before resuming driving. Depending on the severity of your disqualification, you may have to retake the driving test or pass an extended test to regain your driving privileges. For disqualifications shorter than 56 days, you don’t need to apply for a new licence, but you must check your status to ensure your licence has been reinstated before getting back on the road.
You can check your driving licence status online via the government website or wait for a D27 form from the DVLA, which reminds you of your disqualification end date.
Can I Reduce My Ban?
In some cases, you can apply to the court for a reduction in your ban if you believe the disqualification is too harsh or if exceptional circumstances surround your case.
- If your disqualification lasts 4 years or more, you can reduce it by two years.
- For bans between 4 to 10 years, the court may reduce the ban by half.
- A disqualification lasting 10 years or more could potentially be reduced by five years.
FAQs
Yes, you can drive a lorry with 9 points on your licence. However, any further offences could result in disqualification.
If you accumulate 6 points on your licence within the first two years of holding it, you risk losing your licence altogether, as provisional licence holders are more restricted.
Penalty points stay on your licence for 4 years from the date of the offence, although they may not affect your insurance or your ability to drive after 3 years.
Yes, you can still be an HGV driver with 6 penalty points on your licence. However, you must be careful, as accumulating more points could put your licence at risk.
Yes, you can lose your HGV licence if you accumulate 12 or more penalty points, commit serious driving offences, or fail to meet other licensing requirements.
The maximum speed limit for an HGV is 56 mph (90 km/h) on motorways and dual carriageways, and 50 mph (80 km/h) on single carriageway roads.
Yes, speed cameras can detect lorries. They are set up to capture the speed of all vehicles, including HGVs, and issue fines for speeding violations.
Yes, lorries can receive speeding tickets if they exceed the speed limit. Speeding fines and points apply to all vehicles, including HGVs.
Conclusion
As an HGV driver, maintaining a clean driving record is crucial not only for your legal standing but also for your career. Accumulating penalty points, especially reaching the 12-point threshold, can lead to disqualification and disrupt your livelihood. By understanding “How many points can a HGV driver have ” and disqualification, you can take proactive steps to protect your driving privileges. Always drive safely, stay informed about traffic laws, and take responsibility for your actions on the road to ensure a long and successful career behind the wheel.