The parliament passed a simpler penalty points system and introduces driving a car from the age of1728/6/2023|Press releasesThe amendment to the Road Traffic Act simplifies the points system and tightens penalties for the most serious offences. It also introduces a mandatory prevention programme for fresh drivers who commit serious traffic offences. The proposal, which was approved by the parliament in its third reading, also allows people as young as 17 to drive a car under the supervision of a mentor. The amendment will now go to the senate for further consideration. If passed here and signed by the president, the act will be effective from 2024. "The new penalty points system will clearly distinguish between serious and minor offences. More serious offences will be punished more severely. And conversely, drivers will not pay as much in fines for minor offences. Theaim is to punish deliberate violation of regulations that threaten other road users," says transport minister Martin Kupka. Compared to the last parliamentary term, when the amendment to the points system stalled in the parliament, the draft act now contains two innovations: The possibility to drive a car from the age of 17 under the supervision of a mentor, the so-called L17, and the trial driving period of 2 years after obtaining the first driving licence regardless of the age of the driver. "In the first two years a different regime will apply to drivers. If they commit one of the serious offences, for which they receive a driving ban or six points, they must undergo two specific training tools – a traffic psychology interview and fresh driver training," explains the transport minister. When compared with the current scale, the amendment now introduces only three points rates according to severity: 6, 4 and 2 points. For serious offences the rates of “on-the-spot block fines” increase and can no longer be symbolic. In the administrative proceedings the upper limits of the fine rates increase to take account of highly dangerous behaviour in road traffic. The driving ban period for serious offences is also extended. If the driver requests so, he or she will be automatically informed of every points record via SMS, e-mail or data mailbox. The points status can already be checked via the Transport Portal.