Road Traffic Penalty Points FAQs

How many penalty points for speeding?

There are 3 penalty points for speeding upon payment of the fixed charge penalty notice that is sent to the drivers address along with an €80 fine to be paid within the first 28 days or a €120 fine to be paid in the next 28 days.

If you do not pay the fixed charge penalty notice, summonsed to court and convicted, a person would receive 5 penalty points and a fine imposed by the court.

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What happens when I get 12 penalty points?

If a person with a full drivers license incurs 12 penalty points within a 3 year period there is an automatic disqualification from driving of 6 months.

If a person who is a novice driver or takes out a first learner permit on or after 1st August 2014 incurs 7 penalty points within a 3 year period there is an automatic disqualification from driving of 6 months.

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What is the penalty for Drink Driving?

If a person is charged and convicted of the offence of driving a mechanically propelled vehicle under the influence of alcohol they could be exposed to a penalty of a fine of up to €5000 or 6 month in prison or both. There is also a mandatory disqualification from driving upon conviction from a minimum of 6 months to a higher time period, which is up the discretion of the Judge.

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What penalty points do I get if I refuse to give a breath test?

There is also a separate offence where a person refuses to give a breath sample to An Garda Siochana where they are alleged to have been driving a mechanically propelled vehicle under the influence of alcohol. A person would be liable to the same penalties of a fine of up to €5000 or a term of imprisonment of up to 6 months, or both if you are convicted in the District Court. There is also a disqualification period imposed by the judge.

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What is the penalty for Drug Driving?

If a person is charged and convicted of the offence of driving a mechanically propelled vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant, such as cannabis, cocaine or opiates, they could be liable to a penalty of a fine of up to €5000 or 6 month in prison or both.

There is also a mandatory disqualification from driving upon conviction. If you are under the influence of drugs but your driving is not impaired you could be liable to a minimum of a 1 year disqualification. If you are under the influence of drugs and your driving is impaired you could be liable to a disqualification of a minimum of 4 years. It is open to a Judge to impose a higher disqualification.

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What is the Penalty for No Insurance?

If a person is charged and convicted of driving with no insurance they could be liable to a penalty of a fine of up to €5000 or 6 month in prison or both. A person would also receive 5 penalty points on their license.

If this is a persons first offence for no insurance a Judge has a discretion to not disqualify a person from driving. A Judge could impose a driving ban of 2 years or more. If a person has been convicted of driving with no insurance for a second time within 3 years of their first conviction, there is a mandatory disqualification from driving imposed of a minimum of 4 years.

If a person is disqualified they do not receive the 5 penalty points.

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What is the Penalty for Careless Driving?

In relation to careless driving a person shall not drive a vehicle in a public place without due care and attention. A person could be liable to a fine of up to €5000 and the Judge would have discretion to imposed a disqualification.

In relation to dangerous driving a person shall not drive a vehicle in a public place, having regard to all the circumstances of the case in a manner which may be dangerous to the public. A person could be liable to a fine of up to €5000 or up to a 6 month prison sentence or both. There is also a mandatory disqualification from driving imposed.

If a person were to be charged for either of these offences and it caused the death or serious bodily harm to another person, they would be liable on conviction on indictment to a term of imprisonment of no more than 2 years or up to €10000 fine or both.

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What should I do if I’ve received a fixed charge penalty notice or been charged with a Road Traffic Offence?

If you have received a fixed charge penalty notice or a summons or charge for a Road Traffic Offence you should seek legal advice. Please contact our office on 016790780 to book a consultation or email Eoghan O Sullivan (Eoghan.OSullivan@kodlyons.ie) or Katie Dowling (Katie.Dowling@kodlyons.ie).

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What other road traffic offences can result in penalty points?

There are a number of Road Traffic Offences which can result in fines and penalty points being imposed upon payment of the fixed charge penalty notice or conviction in court. They are set out in this table below;

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Road Traffic Penalty Points FAQs

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