British drivers are feeling the sting of a nationwide crackdown on speeding, with penalty points hitting a four-year high. New figures from Co-op Insurance reveal motorists racked up 9.61 million penalty points in 2024, a sharp 12% rise from 2023’s 8.55 million.
According to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), speeding on public roads and motorways remains the most common offence — far outpacing uninsured driving and other motoring misdemeanours. The average fine for speeding sits at £100 with three points added to the licence, though repeat offenders face far harsher consequences, including disqualification for six months or more once they hit the 12-point threshold.
The AA’s Edmund King called the trend “worrying,” noting that a growing number of offenders are ineligible for speed awareness courses, forcing more to take points instead. “The increase is due to the boom in speed camera offences,” King explains. “Many repeat offenders have already taken a course in the past three years, so points are unavoidable.”
Home Office data supports this surge, with 2.71 million drivers caught speeding in 2023 — 96% of which were detected by cameras. Back in 2011, that number was just 1.49 million. The South West tops the charts for penalty points per capita (51.0 per 1,000 people), while Londoners remain the most cautious behind the wheel with just 35.2.
Paul Evans of Co-op Insurance warns the spike will hit motorists in the wallet: “Drivers with points — especially for speeding or driving uninsured — face higher premiums. Our message is simple: slow down, stay insured, and save money.”
Penalty Points in Britain
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