What are driving offences

Driving offences are what happens when you do not meet your obligations as a road user.

This could be something like not having the correct documentation that you require or something much more severe like causing harm or injury to another road user.

The penalties that arise for driving offences can vary significantly too, and some will automatically stop you being allowed to drive for a period of time, many of them will result in you receiving what are called penalty points against your licence, which if you accrue too many can lead to you being banned from driving.

Very serious offences include driving when you are disqualified from doing so, or driving under the influence of drink or drugs, causing death by dangerous driving and a range of other offences such as having a second dangerous driving offence within three years.

If you accumulate 12 points for minor offences then you will get a minimum disqualification from driving for at least six months and quite possibly longer. Many acts will also include a fine that you should pay. Of course you may contest penalty points and contest a case in court.

By being a safe and conscientious driver, by following the rules and understanding driving theory and having consideration for other road users you can help to ensure that you won't incur driving offences.

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