Neil Goodwin is an in-house content writer at Select covering all things automotive. As a former journalist and PR consultant for the national newspaper, he loves his motorcycles as much as his cars….


Published on December 12, 2024







The number of new drivers who have had their driving license revoked due to the use of mobile phones has DOUBLED in two years, a new study has found.


Drivers who accumulate six or more demerit points within a two-year probationary period after first passing their test will automatically have their license revoked.


They must then apply for a new provisional driving license at the end of their disqualification period before having to take theory and practical exams again.


New statistics from Select Car Leasing now show that the number of novice drivers who have had their driving license revoked has increased dramatically, with the use of mobile phones behind the wheel being the main cause.


Select Car Leasing has made a Freedom of Information request to the DVLA to understand the number of prosecutions for so-called ‘CU80’ offenses – which specifically relate to holding a phone, sat-nav, tablet or other connected device while driving to ride.


The number of new drivers banned from the road after a mobile phone breach – which saw them receive six or more penalty points within their two-year probationary period – shot up from 591 in 2022 to 1,046 in 2023.


So far in 2024, 918 new drivers have had their driver’s license revoked after a CU80 mobile phone violation.


In total, there were 39,515 license citations for CU80 prosecutions in 2023 for both new and old motorists – a big jump from the 34,062 citations in 2022.



Mark Tongue, co-CEO and co-founder of Select Car Leasing, has urged motorists to turn off their phones and be aware of the dangers.


He said: “Mobile phones are a ubiquitous part of modern life, but all drivers, whether new or experienced, need to understand the dangers of becoming distracted while staring at a screen and not the road ahead.


“The statistics we uncovered through an FOI show that the system is working to remove new drivers from the road who have clearly not yet been aware of the risks associated with using mobile phones behind the wheel while they were studying for their tests.


“But the huge increase in mobile phone use prosecutions we have seen among new drivers is hugely worrying and, quite frankly, frightening. It is vital that we find ways to get the message across about what the law says about mobile phone use.”



In March 2022, the laws surrounding mobile phone use behind the wheel became much stricter when the Department for Transport announced a ‘zero tolerance’ approach. It became illegal to use a cell phone while driving under almost any circumstances.


The legal scope of ‘using’ a mobile phone was also expanded to include lighting the screen, checking notifications or even unlocking the device.


This offense carries a minimum fine of £200 and six penalty points. This means that for new drivers who have had a license for less than two years, a single offense would result in their license being revoked.


Outside London, which topped the list of locations for mobile phone use prosecutions between 2022 and 2024, West Yorkshire appears to be a hotspot for trouble.


Bradford, second on the shame list with 1,546 statements of support, was closely followed by Leeds with 1,320 prosecutions in the same period.


Meanwhile, the age of those with a CU80 license peaks at 34, with 3,556 prosecutions in that age range, before declining as drivers age.


However, Select Car Leasing points out that a handful of drivers in their 90s have been banned from using mobile phones, with one motorist aged 98 receiving a fine and points.


Mr Tongue added: “There were also 36 license endorsements for drivers aged 14, 15 and 16 – before they were even old enough to attempt to pass their test!”



Total number of GB driving license holders who have had their driving license revoked under the New Drivers Act because a note CU80 has been added to their driving license (from 2022 to October 27, 2024):



  • 2022 – 591

  • 2023 – 1,046

  • 2024 (so far) – 918



Most violating locations where drivers added CU80 endorsements to their driver’s license (from January 1, 2022 to October 27, 2024):



  • London – 10,125

  • Bradford-1,546

  • Leeds-1,320

  • Birmingham-1,257

  • Glasgow-1.217

  • Norwich-1,129

  • Bristol – 1,040

  • Leicester-930

  • Sheffield-845

  • Nottingham-736

  • Manchester-730

  • Ilford-626

  • Liverpool-620

  • Northampton-619

  • Stoke-on-Trent – 618

  • Ipswich-604

  • Slough – 583

  • Lincoln-571

  • Southampton-542

  • Romford-539



CU80 license notes, broken down by age:


Age Number of notes



  • 14-16 – 36

  • 17-20 – 2,381

  • 21-30-23.065

  • 31-40 – 32,363

  • 41-50 – 20,097

  • 51-60 – 12,459

  • 61-70 – 4,475

  • 71-80-875

  • 81-90 – 84

  • 91-100-3



Total number of CU80 recommendations, for all ages:



  • 2022 – 34,062

  • 2023 – 39,515

  • 2024 (so far) – 22,264


*The DVLA classifies a ‘CU80 offence’ as a ‘breach of requirements relating to control of the vehicle, such as the use of a mobile phone’. The conviction will remain on the driver’s license for four years.




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