Mr Loophole Says Government Needs To Shut Door On “Driving Ban-Get-Out-Loopholes”

A leading traffic lawyer has said that the Government should act to close a loophole that allows drivers who have “ridiculously” high number of penalty points on their licence from legally staying on the roads.

Nick Freeman, aka Mr Loophole, said the time has now come for a review of legislation which gives motorists one more chance of avoiding disqualification for six months, if they can prove this would result in “exceptional hardship”.

He said: “It was always intended by Parliament that exceptional hardship should only be advanced once in a three year period.

“However, the ingenious legal mind has successfully argued that different forms of exceptional hardship are permissible, which in itself has defeated Parliament’s intention.

“In addition, defendants are pooling offences which, instead of being dealt with on a chronological basis, are being sentenced by court as if dealing with offences all occurring on the same occasion.

“This gives rise to this ridiculous anomaly and the legislation needs amending to accord with Parliament’s original intentions.”

This, he added, was the reason why there are some drivers with in excess of 30 points, and even one with more than 50, on their driving licences.

Mr Freeman said: “I believe that motorists should only be allowed to argue one exceptional hardship, once in a three year period.

“The time has come for the Government to act, amend the legislation accordingly and close the loopholes!”