More than 4.8 million penalty points were issued to UK drivers in 2025, with speeding offences responsible for the vast majority, according to new analysis from Uswitch.
The data highlights the scale of driving offences recorded over the past year and raises questions about how effective penalty points are at influencing driver behaviour.
Speeding dominates offences
A total of 4,839,104 penalty points were issued across the UK during the 2025 calendar year.
Over three quarters (78%) of all points issued were linked to speeding-related offences.
The most common offences included:
- SP30 – Exceeding the statutory speed limit on a public road: 2,981,795 points
- SP50 – Exceeding the speed limit on a motorway: 683,881 points
- IN10 – Driving without insurance: 373,165 points
- MS90 – Failure to identify the driver of a vehicle: 235,135 points
- CU80 – Breach of vehicle control requirements, such as using a mobile phone: 202,033 points
These figures underline the continued challenge of speeding on UK roads, which remains one of the most common contributory factors in road collisions.
Drivers divided on effectiveness
Despite the large number of penalty points issued, the research suggests motorists are divided on whether they work as a road safety measure.
Only 51% of drivers surveyed believe penalty points are effective at reducing dangerous driving.
However, the data suggests that receiving points can influence behaviour. Among drivers who currently have points on their licence, 82% reported changing their driving behaviour after receiving them, mainly to avoid further penalties.
Behaviour changes driven by enforcement
The research indicates that the possibility of receiving penalty points encourages many drivers to take preventative action.
Almost six in ten motorists (59%) say they take specific steps to avoid penalty points. These include:
- Checking their car insurance is valid and up to date (33%)
- Carrying out vehicle checks to ensure roadworthiness (33%)
- Setting their phone to ‘Do Not Disturb’ while driving (17%)
- Using cruise control to maintain the speed limit (17%)
- Avoiding unfamiliar roads or routes (13%)
For driver trainers, the findings reinforce the importance of emphasising both legal compliance and risk awareness during training, particularly around speed management and distraction.
Insurance implications
According to Uswitch insurance expert Leoni Moninska, penalty points can have a lasting impact beyond the offence itself.
“Penalty points can remain on your driving record for either four or eleven years depending on the offence and can increase your car insurance costs,” she said.
Between August 2025 and January 2026, drivers with a single conviction were quoted around 21% more for insurance than drivers with no points.
Moninska also highlighted that many drivers are unaware of how to check their licence status, with 52% of motorists unsure how to view their penalty points record online.
