Overview

This bill proposes adding penalty points to driving licenses for specific vehicle registration offences. These offences currently do not result in points, but this bill aims to make them subject to the same penalty point system as other driving infractions.

Description

The Vehicle Registration Offences (Penalty Points) Bill amends the Vehicle Excise and Registration Act 1994 and the Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988. It introduces penalty points for three key vehicle registration offences:

• Failing to display a registration mark (Section 42 of the 1994 Act): 3-11 points.
• Displaying an obscured registration mark (Section 43 of the 1994 Act): 3-11 points.
• Offences related to vehicle registration regulations (Section 59 of the 1994 Act): 1-6 points.

The number of points awarded will be at the discretion of the court, with an obligatory endorsement on the driving licence. Disqualification from driving may also be considered by the court.

The bill applies to England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland and will come into force 30 days after it receives Royal Assent.

Government Spending

The bill is not expected to significantly increase or decrease government spending. The primary impact will be administrative costs associated with processing additional penalty points, but these costs are expected to be minimal.

Groups Affected

• Drivers: Drivers who commit the specified vehicle registration offences will face penalty points on their driving licences, potentially leading to higher insurance premiums, driving bans, or even loss of their license.
• The Courts: Courts will have the additional task of applying the new penalty points system to these offences.
• The DVLA: The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency will need to update its systems to accommodate the inclusion of these new offences in the penalty points system.

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