08/12/2025
Warning for young drivers, who recently passed their test.
43% of Drivers Confess to a Crime That Could Cost YOU £12,000
Recently got your license? Huge congrats! But listen up: The road is full of experienced drivers breaking the law, and you can't afford to make their mistakes.
New research reveals that roughly two out of five motorists, 40%, have confessed to reading or sending texts while behind the wheel in the past year. This isn't just risky driving—it's a criminal offence.
Here is the essential, updated warning about the devastating true cost of using your phone while driving:
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1. 🛑 Licence REVOKED: The 6-Point Trap
In the UK, if you are a newly qualified driver (passed your test in the last two years), you are on a strict probationary licence.
• The Offence: Using a handheld mobile phone for any reason (texting, checking social media, taking photos/videos) while driving.
• The Penalty: An instant £200 fine and 6 penalty points on your licence. (Penalties doubled in 2022 to hit harder!)
• The Consequence: Because you lose your licence if you hit 6 points under the New Drivers Act, one single moment of distraction means your licence is immediately REVOKED. You must re-apply and pass both the theory and practical tests again.
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2. 💸 The Staggering £12,000 True Cost
The initial £200 fine is pocket change compared to the total financial burden, according to IAM RoadSmart:
Expense Estimated Cost Details
Insurance Surge £10,675 A 19-year-old male driver with a CU80 (mobile phone) endorsement could see their premium skyrocket by this amount over several years.
Alternative Travel £700 Costs for getting to work/college via public transport or taxis while banned.
New Licence Fees £}800 Covering the fine, refresher lessons, new theory test, and new practical test fees after revocation.
TOTAL BURDEN £12,000 A single decision costs more than many cars!
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3. 📸 It’s Not Just Texting: The New Danger
The problem goes beyond just reading texts. The research also revealed:
• 1 in 3 young drivers (aged 17-24) admitted to taking photos or videos using a handheld device while driving.
• 1 in 8 young drivers admitted to texting on at least half of their journeys.
This is why police forces classify mobile phone use as one of the "Fatal Four" causes of serious collisions.
🔥 Pro Tip: Hands-free technology is standard now, yet half of younger drivers still hold their devices. If the phone is out of your sight (e.g., in the glovebox), the temptation to pick it up is gone. Commit to zero handheld use.
Passing your test was the starting line, not the finish line. Don't throw away your new freedom £12,000 for a text message.
Drive safe!