North-South Penalty Points

Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey and Minister for the Environment Arlene Foster have recently met in an attempt to overcome difficulties with mutual recognition of motorists' penalty points, by authorities north and south of the border. It had initially been hoped that a system for mutal recognition would be in place by the end of the year. However, addressing a North-South parliamentary meeting Minister Dempsey told that administrative difficulties meant it could now be three or four years before the difficulties were solved. The Minister also renewed his commitment stating that "the measure was urgently required to combat serious motoring offences, chiefly speeding, by drivers who knew they could not be given points."

Part of the problem centres around differing numbers of penalty points applicable for similar offences in the different jurisdictions.

For further information on cross-border driver disqualifications click here

© Northern Ireland Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux (NIACAB) 2008