The UK’s worst driver hotspots – is your area on the list?
April 08, 2025 by Siobhan Doyle
Car changing is a big deal
Software development company Apteco analysed the latest data from the Department of Transport to identify areas with the most penalty points across the UK. So, who are the worst offenders?
The dataset, put together by the Department for Transport, offers insight into driving licence holders across the UK. It goes back to 2012, but Apteco’s analysis focuses on the February 2025 update to reflect the most up-to-date driving habits and licensing trends.
Although UK roads rank sixth in the world for safety, many drivers still rack up penalty points – which might be holding us back from breaking into the top five. These points are given for a range of offences, such as speeding, driving without insurance, and ignoring road signs or traffic signals.
Some of the most common violations include exceeding speed limits, using a mobile phone while driving, and dangerous driving. A closer look at the dataset reveals which areas are most likely to commit offences that result in penalty points.
The top five postal areas with the worst drivers
When it comes to the UK’s worst spots for drivers, Halifax tops the list with 11.6% of drivers having penalty points. Huddersfield follows with 10.5%, and Leeds comes in third at 10.4%.
Interestingly, parts of the South West – such as TR, PL, and EX postcodes – also have pretty high numbers, especially when compared to similar rural areas like the Lake District (CA and LA). Both regions see loads of tourists each year, but there’s still a clear difference in the percentage of drivers getting points.
| Area | Postcode area | % of Drivers with points |
|---|---|---|
| Halifax | HX | 11.6% |
| Huddersfield | HD | 10.5% |
| Leeds | LS | 10.4% |
| Bradford | BD | 10% |
| Plymouth | PL | 9.8% |
The top five postal areas with the best drivers
It’s not all doom and gloom, though. Apteco’s collated data also reveals a ranking of the best drivers in the UK. Taking gold is the Outer Hebrides in Scotland, with just 3.9% of drivers having points on their licences. Galashiels comes in second with 4.4%, followed by Canterbury in third with 4.7%.
Scotland as a whole has a lower percentage of drivers with penalty points. This could be down to safer driving habits, fewer police officers on the roads, or differences in how traffic offences are enforced.
| Area | Postcode Area | % of Drivers with Points |
|---|---|---|
| Outer Hebrides | HS | 3.9% |
| Galashiels | TD | 4.4% |
| Canterbury | CT | 4.7% |
| Lancashire | LA | 4.8% |
| Wick | KW | 4.8% |
Ultimately, where are people breaking the rules?
The data paints a clear picture of driving trends and risk-taking behaviours across the UK. Certain cities and districts show a higher concentration of drivers with penalty points, with Halifax and Huddersfield topping the list. On the other hand, Scottish drivers stand out as the most law-abiding – which is needed when navigating the winding roads of the Highlands.
These insights can help policymakers, insurers, and road safety organisations develop targeted strategies to improve driving standards across the country.
You can read the full analysis from Apteco here.
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