Skip to main content
Home

Main navigation

  • Top stories
  • Health
  • Crime
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Tech
  • Culture
  • Sports
  • Weird
  • 1-1-2
Image
agent-spreekt-automobilist-bij-verkeerscontrole
Dutch police officer doing a traffic check (Stock Photo: Politie) - Credit: Dutch police officer doing a traffic check (Stock Photo: Politie)
Crime
police
novice driver
penalty point
public prosecutor
CBR
Monday, May 2, 2022 - 17:10
Share this:
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • linkedin
  • whatsapp
  • reddit

Record penalty points for new drivers

A record number of novice drivers got penalty points on their driver's licenses last year, BNR reports based on figures from the Public Prosecution Service (OM). Almost 8,900 new drivers received a penalty point in 2020, compared to 7,200 in 2020.

Last year was the fourth annual increase in penalty points in a year. The OM did not have an obvious explanation for the rise. The coronavirus and accompanying lockdowns may have played a role - less traffic gave people more opportunity to speed, and you're more noticeable on less busy roads, the OM speculated.

Young motorists' behavior also played a role, the OM said. "The police tell us that speeding was an outlet for young people when corona caused boredom," the OM said. 

Motorists are considered novice drivers for the first five years after getting their license. If you got your license at 16, you're considered a novice for seven years. During that period, novice drivers can get a penalty point if the police catch them driving 30 kilometers above the speed limit, tailgating, or other dangerous driving behavior. 

Once a driver has two penalty points, the OM reports them to the licensing authority CBR, which will investigate their driving skills. This could mean having to re-take your driving test. According to the OM, only a tiny percentage of novice drivers get two or more penalty points. "This shows that awarding a point has an effect," a spokesperson said to BNR. 

Follow us:

Latest stories

  • Japan frees convicted terrorist who occupied Hague embassy
  • Zelenskyy does not understand Dutch doubts about EU candidacy
  • Covid overview could vanish with few showing up for testing, experts warn
  • Bosnian Serb leader Mladic's family complains about his treatment, health
  • Addicted gamblers poorly protected by Dutch gaming websites
  • Sharp increase in forged documents submitted by asylum seekers

Top stories

  • Investors pessimistic, confidence fell again in May: ING
  • Politician targeted in corruption probe returns as Roermond alderman
  • Schiphol boss to discuss airport chaos with Dutch MPs
  • Three hurt, including one child, in theme park ride accident
  • More female managers, but wage gap remains
  • Only male aldlermen in 46 Dutch municipalities

© 2012-2022, NL Times, All rights reserved.

Footer menu

  • Privacy
  • Contact
  • Partner content