The number of motorists ’swapping’ licence penalty points is on the rise, however it’s illegal and can lead to prosecution.
Around 2 per cent of drivers have persuaded partners to take the blame for a driving offence so that they can keep the penalty points off their own licence, according to the car insurance company Swinton . This is a rise on the 1.5 per cent of drivers who admitted to this penalty point ’swapping’ in a survey conducted 3 years ago.
A spokesperson for Swinton said “Motorists are increasingly risking perverting the course of justice in order to maintain a clean licence, as well as to avoid a driving ban. However, trying to escape convictions by swapping points with another person is illegal and can lead to prosecution. Quite simply, it is not worth the risk.”
Car insurance is a legal requirement. All motorists in the UK must be insured and driving a vehicle without insurance is a criminal offence.
