The government approved a points system that is clearer

4/1/2023Press releases

The 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 drivers-beginners who commit serious traffic offences. The proposal also allows driving from the age of 17 under the supervision of a mentor. The amendment will go to the Chamber of Deputies and will be effective from 2024.

The government approved a points system that is clearer

"The new 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. The aim is to punish drivers for deliberately violating regulations that threaten the life and health of other road users," says transport minister Martin Kupka.

Compared to the last election term, when the amendment to the points system stalled in the Chamber of Deputies, the bill 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 a driving test for 2 years after obtaining the first driving licence, regardless of the age of the driver.

"A different regime will apply to drivers during the first two years. 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 a driver-beginner training," explains the transport minister.
The amendment introduces only three points rates according to severity, namely 6, 4 and 2 points, compared to the current five different rates. For serious offences the rates of “on-the-spot block fines” are being increased and will no longer be symbolic. In the administrative procedure the upper limits of the fines are increased to take account of highly dangerous behaviour in road traffic. For serious offences the length of time the driver is not allowed to drive will also be extended.

If the driver so requests, he/she will be automatically informed of every change in the points record via SMS, e-mail or the data mailbox. The status of points can already be checked via the Transport Portal.

According to preliminary data, 468 people died in road accidents last year, while 1 691 were seriously injured. The most common cause of death on the roads was speeding, failing to give the right of way or not paying attention to driving. Despite the declining trend in the number of deaths, this is still a high and tragic figure.

The 2021 BESIP strategy therefore aims to halve the number of road deaths by 2030. Not only European Union countries, but also UN countries have the same goal. "One of the tools to achieve this goal is to update the sanctions and the points system, which was introduced in 2006 and has not undergone any major changes since then. However, the proposal also contains important preventive tools such as L-17 and the driving licence on probation," concludes transport minister Martin Kupka.