Driving points rules relaxed

DRIVERS who have points deducted from their licence will be able to regain them more quickly, under a new law.

The amendment, which was passed by senators on Friday despite strong opposition from the government, cuts the wait from 12 months to six to regain a deducted point on your driving licence.

Drivers who lose all 12 points on their licence will regain them after a year, instead of three.

A point is typically deducted if a driver is caught illegally overtaking or speeding at less than 20kph over the legal limit.

The point is regained on condition that no other driving offences are committed in the six-month period.

Poitou-Charentes UMP senator Alain Fouché said the current rules were “a concern for thousands of people who have been severely punished for minor offences”.

He said the relaxed rules would also help to limit the number of people who drive without a valid licence.

The amendment is part of the wide-ranging Loppsi security law, which also gives police new powers to confiscate vehicles belonging to drivers who repeatedly speed, drink-drive, or refuse to give a breath test.

The law will now head back to the National Assembly, where the senators’ changes have to be approved by MPs.