Driving penalties to be made consistent for all motorists

Date: 15/11/2010

Government plans have been announced to make changes to certain driving penalties so they are consistent for all motorists.

Road Safety Minister Mike Penning revealed proposals have been put to parliament to increase the on-the-spot fine deposits for seatbelt and number plate offences imposed on drivers from abroad, bringing them into line with the £60 fixed fee for UK residents.

Furthermore, the penalty for driving or keeping a vehicle with an obscured registration mark or without a registration plate will rise from £30 to £60, while those caught without sufficient motorcycle tread depth will pay £120 rather than £60, the same as the fee for other vehicles.

Mr Penning said: "If laws are to be effective then it is vital that they are enforced fairly and proportionately, no matter who you are or where you are from."

Earlier this month, he announced candidates taking lorry, coach, bus or trailer driving tests will have to perform the braking exercise on the road rather than at the test centre from January in order to make the examinations more realistic.

Posted by Mary Treen