Over 10,000 New Driver Licenses Revoked

Recent research has revealed that 10,797 new drivers with less than two years experience have had their licenses revoked in 2012.

A Freedom of Information Act, requested by BBC’s Newsbeat discovered the astonishing results. Broken down, the figures equated to nearly 200 new drivers having their license removed per week in 2012.

Over 5000 new drivers were found driving without insurance and speeding was the second biggest cause of license removal. Around 0.6% of licenses were revoked as a result of driving under the influence of drink or drugs.

If a new driver receives 6 or more points on their license in the first two years after passing their driving test then they must retake their test.

Scott Pendry, of the Association of British Insurers (ABI), said the reason a high proportion of drivers were prosecuted for being uninsured was because they were easier to catch.

"Due to advances in technology, people driving uninsured are being identified in a much better way. So if they are not on the central database showing they are insured, they will face severe ramifications."

The ABI supports calls for better driver training, curfews and the introduction of a minimum learning period.

It has been found however that the number of new drivers losing their license has fallen by 13% since 2010 from over 12,000. The figures further found the number of drivers caught without the minimum third party insurance has fallen too, 5,884 new drivers were caught compared with 5,920 in 2010.