¿Por qué necesitan las autoridades introducir un sistema de puntos para los permisos de conducir?
You have a legal right to drive, as you have a driving license. In return, you must adhere to all traffic rules. The road safety office keeps a record of your driving history by subtracting points from your license if you receive a fine. Insurance companies also use internal scales to track the violations committed by policyholders. These point scales aim to reward safe driving and discourage dangerous driving. If you accumulate too many points, they may suspend or revoke your license and increase your insurance premiums. Here’s everything you need to know about the point scale for driving licenses.
The number of points deducted depends on the nature of the violation
The purpose of the point scale for the driving permit is to assist the authorities responsible for road safety and insurance companies in identifying dangerous drivers. In your region, they may deduct points if you are convicted for certain types of traffic violations. The number of points deducted can vary depending on the nature of the violation.
In Paris, for example, driving between 1 and 16 km/h above the established speed limit can deduct 3 points from your record. Reckless driving, misuse of a mobile phone while driving, and failing to stop for a school bus are violations of 5 points. The road safety office in your area can explain their point scale on their website.
Insurance companies may have their own point scale
Insurers may use their own point scales to deduct points for different traffic violations. The points deducted by an insurance company will not cause you to lose your license, but they may result in increased premiums for your insurance, or even cancellation of your policy if you accumulate too many.
Not all traffic violations result in point deductions
Some violations do not lead to the deduction of points from your driving license. For example, parking violations may not count towards the total points, depending on the city in which you live.
Minor violations, on the other hand, may result in a fine, even though they do not deduct points from the license, you must still pay the fine. A fine can also increase the costs of your car insurance.
Serious violations may lead to the revocation of the driving permit
Some traffic violations are considered more serious than others and can result in a higher number of points. Your license may be revoked instead of suspended if you are convicted of a serious offense, and revocation may occur automatically if you are convicted of certain crimes.
In Paris, for example, the license is automatically revoked for any of the following violations, which deduct 12 points each.
- leaving the scene of an accident resulting in injury (hit and run);
- fleeing or attempting to evade a police officer;
- aggravated dangerous driving;
- driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs;
- committing an offense involving the use of a motor vehicle.
In addition to the loss of the driving permit, being convicted of a serious traffic violation can result in jail time and/or fines.
Accumulating a large number of points may lead to the revocation of the driving permit
Generally, you must be convicted of a traffic violation for points to be deducted from your license. If you accumulate too many points over a period of time, authorities may temporarily suspend your license. The number of points required for a suspension and the timeframe to do so vary by region. In Paris, for example, your total points are based on the last 18 months of your driving history. If you reach 11 points, your license may be suspended.
The duration of the suspension may also vary depending on the region and whether it is your first suspension or subsequent ones. Once again, depending on where you have your license, points may be deducted from your record for a maximum of 10 years. You can check online the number of points you have accumulated on your license if your city maintains digital driving records and makes them available to you.
