Penalty points in Ireland

A penalty points system has been in operation since 2002 for regulatory offences relating to driving licences in the Republic of Ireland. More serious driving offences are not included in the penalty points system but result in automatic driving bans or imprisonment. After controversy about alleged flaws in the implementation, an Independent Oversight Authority was established in 2015 to make annual reports on its operation.

Penalty points lapse after three years; a total of 12 points accrued will trigger a six-month driving ban. For learner drivers and novice drivers, the limit is 7 points. Since December 2014, 62 offences incur points: fixed-charge penalty offences incur 1–3 points, and offences requiring mandatory court appearance incur 3–5 points on conviction.

Offences are detected by the Garda Síochána, or notified to the Garda by a private company operating speed camera vans. Notices are issued through the post by the Road Safety Authority, which also publishes monthly statistics of notices. Points are not recorded on the physical licence document, but on a database maintained by the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, which is linked to the Garda's Pulse computer system. The fine is charged at the standard rate if paid within 28 days of the notice being issued, and at a 50% higher rate for the next 28 days. After this, court proceedings are begun. One can also appeal a fixed-charge penalty in court, but if the appeal fails an extra 2 points are incurred and the fine is doubled. The Comptroller and Auditor General's 2013 report found that 71% of fixed charge notice fines were paid within the 56 days; 22% resulted in court proceedings; 5% were terminated; and 2% had "other outcomes". Half of court cases were struck out because the summons had not been properly served, often where the car was registered to a company rather than a private individual, or because of flaws with the registered address. Some judges have struck out cases involving the privately operated speed cameras, blaming gaps in the chain of evidence.

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