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Fines for using mobile phone while driving to double from today
01 March 2017
Drivers who use their mobile phones behind the wheel will see penalties doubled from Wednesday, March 1.
Any motorist caught using a handheld mobile phone behind the wheel will face six points on their licence and a £200 fine.
Currently the penalty faced is three points on your driving licence and a £100 fine.
It means that drivers who have held their licences for less than two years could have their licenses revoked by the DVLA if caught just once.
To get a licence back, drivers would have to retake and pass both parts of the driving test.
The new licence would also still display the six points, which will have an impact on the insurance premium the driver is required to pay.
The tougher consequences also affect experienced drivers as many insurance companies request details of any driving convictions people have received in the past five years. It is illegal to withhold such information.
Points remain on a person’s driving record for four years, which means a single incident may have long-term financial implications.
Additionally many insurance companies will charge drivers more in the excess payable due to the fact that receiving such penalty points shows a driver is at a higher risk.
It is illegal to use a mobile phone while driving or riding a motorcycle and the rules are the same if you’re stopped at traffic lights or queuing in traffic.
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