It is more than likely that a large percentage of courier drivers will have heard of the breakdown recovery business called the RAC. Well, a division of the RAC has found out some interesting figures relating to the number of motorists who have had their driving licenses endorsed with 3 penalty points due to being caught driving a vehicle considered by the police to not be roadworthy.

In fact, there was a huge increase in the number of such instances in 2024 when compared with 2023. In 2023, there were 8,614 motorists receiving such endorsements but in 2024 this had increased to 13,109 drivers. That is a very large increase and, we are sure you will agree, is most concerning. It is to be hoped that we do not see such a rise in 2025.

The region in the UK that saw the biggest increase in number terms was Greater London with 1,464 motorists being caught with unroadworthy vehicles in 2023 compared to 1,765 in 2024. That is a rise of 301 equating to an increase of 21%. In second place was Yorkshire and Humber region with 1,042 motorists being found behind the wheel of vehicles felt to be not roadworthy in 2023 compared to 1,373 in 2024. That is a rise of 331 equating to an increase of 32%. In third place was South East England region with 944 motorists receiving 3 penalty points on their driving licenses due to driving an unroadworthy vehicle in 2023 compared to 1,167 in 2024. That is an increase of 223 that equates to a jump of 24%.

In 2023, there were 6,196 drivers caught driving with defective tyres but in 2024 this had increased by 44% to 8,945 motorists. We are sure you will concur with us that is a very big rise. In 2023, there were 181 drivers caught driving with brakes considered to be defective but in 2024 this had increased to 1,190 motorists.

Courier drivers are likely to drive an awful lot of miles each year not only in their courier van but some will also own a car. We are sure they will appreciate how important it is to get behind the wheel of a vehicle that is considered to be safe to drive. A courier driver cannot really afford to get penalty points on their license as if this occurred on a number of occasions it could amount to enough penalty points to be banned from driving thus having a huge negative impact on their livelihood.