More than 1.2 million UK drivers now hold speeding points with thousands just one offence away from disqualification
- Perry Richardson
- 1 hour ago
- 3 min read
More than 1.2 million motorists across Great Britain are now driving with active speeding-related penalty points on their licence, according to new DVLA data that shows offences have risen for the third consecutive year.
The figures, obtained through a Freedom of Information request submitted by Marshall Motor Group, show that 1,231,744 licence holders carried active speeding-related endorsements in 2025. That compares with 1,129,830 in 2024 and 1,023,528 in 2023, representing a 20% increase over two years.
The data comes against the backdrop of more than 53.5 million GB driving licence holders currently registered with the DVLA, illustrating the scale of speeding enforcement activity taking place across the UK road network.
Middle-aged motorists were found to be among the groups most likely to receive speeding-related penalty points. Drivers aged 45 to 54 accounted for the largest total in 2025, with 270,962 motorists holding endorsements linked to speeding offences. Drivers aged 35 to 44 followed closely behind with 256,985 endorsements, while motorists aged 55 to 64 accounted for a further 251,086.
DVLA figures reveal a sharp increase in motorists carrying speeding-related endorsements, with middle-aged men accounting for the largest share of offences.
Younger drivers recorded significantly lower totals. Drivers aged 17 to 24 accounted for 68,925 speeding-related endorsements, while motorists under 17 represented just 40 cases. Drivers aged over 70 still accounted for a notable 96,672 endorsements, suggesting speeding penalties remain widespread across all age groups.
The figures also revealed a significant gender divide. Male motorists accounted for 856,511 speeding-related penalty point holders in 2025, compared with 369,233 female drivers. Men therefore represented almost 70% of drivers with active speeding endorsements.
The largest gap between male and female drivers appeared among motorists aged 45 to 54. In that age group alone, 185,300 men held speeding-related endorsements compared with 85,662 women.
The DVLA data also highlighted the number of motorists currently driving close to the disqualification threshold. A total of 132,126 drivers currently hold nine penalty points on their licence, while 9,682 motorists hold 10 points and 4,810 hold 11 points.
Under UK motoring law, drivers who accumulate 12 penalty points within a three-year period can face a driving ban under the totting-up system, although courts can exercise discretion depending on the circumstances of each case.
Standard road speeding offences remain by far the most common endorsement category. SP30 offences, covering drivers exceeding the statutory speed limit on a public road, accounted for the majority of speeding-related endorsements recorded between 2023 and 2025.
DVLA figures showed 73,445 SP30 endorsements were issued in 2023, rising to 81,176 in 2024 before falling slightly to 65,575 in 2025. Motorway speeding offences recorded under SP50 totalled 21,872 in 2023, 22,637 in 2024 and 17,566 in 2025.
Goods vehicle speeding offences classified under SP10 also remained significant, with 6,578 endorsements recorded in 2025 after peaking at 7,365 in 2024. Other speeding offence categories, including vehicle-specific speed restrictions and passenger vehicle offences, represented a smaller share of total endorsements.
Ben Welham, motoring expert at Marshall Motor Group, said: “Speeding remains one of the most common driving offences in the UK, and these figures show just how many motorists are currently carrying penalty points on their licence.
“While some drivers may see speeding as a relatively minor offence, the data highlights how quickly repeated incidents can build up and place motorists at risk of disqualification.
“The findings also show that speeding is not just an issue among younger drivers. Experienced motorists account for a significant proportion of offences, particularly those in middle-age groups who may spend more time driving for work, commuting or family responsibilities.
“Ultimately, it’s a reminder that even relatively small speeding offences can have much wider consequences if they become repeated behaviour over time.”
