Points shock for drivers with lapsed licence
It has emerged that so far this year, 23 drivers who thought their penalty points had been wiped still had them — because their licences ran out during the three-year period.
Insurance Ireland warned that motorists faced “all sorts of problems” by letting their driving licence expire.
However, its spokesman Michael Horan admitted he was not aware of any case in which someone’s insurance cover had been compromised by the extension of points due to a lapsed driver’s licence.
According to the Road Safety Authority, the clock effectively stops on penalty points when a driving licence expires, and only starts again when the next licence is issued.
An RSA spokesperson said: “Penalty points generally apply with effect from 28 days after the date of notification of the points to the person.
“They remain in place for three years and if a driver accumulates 12 points during the three- year period he/she is disqualified.
“The penalty point notification letter states that any period where the person does not hold a driving licence will not count as part of the three years.
“When penalty points are removed from a licence the driver is notified by letter.”
Mr Horan said: “We have never come across a case here with any issues around it or any problems they have encountered.”
He said when it came to insurance companies “loading” people who have penalty points, the cost of premiums typically only increased when five or more points were accumulated.
However, he said while motorists might allow their licence to expire by accident, the number of people given an extension on their penalty points as a result served as a reminder to ensure their licence was always in date.
“The key learning point is ‘make sure your licence does not run out’,” he said.
“You can run into all sorts of problems when your licence expires.”
An RSA spokesperson said: “It is the individual’s responsibility to make sure that their driving licence is in date at all times.”
