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The Road Traffic Offenders (Northern Ireland) Order 1996

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Changes over time for: Section 30

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Changes to legislation:

The Road Traffic Offenders (Northern Ireland) Order 1996, Section 30 is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 07 December 2024. There are changes that may be brought into force at a future date. Changes that have been made appear in the content and are referenced with annotations. Help about Changes to Legislation

Penalty points to be attributed to an offenceN.I.

30.—(1) Where a person is convicted of an offence involving obligatory endorsement, then, subject to the following provisions of this Article, the number of penalty points to be attributed to the offence is—

(a)the number shown in relation to the offence in the last column of Part I or Part II of Schedule 1, or

(b)where a range of numbers is shown, a number within that range.

(2) Where a person is convicted of an offence committed by aiding, abetting, counselling or procuring, or inciting to the commission of, an offence involving obligatory disqualification, then, subject to the following provisions of this Article, the number of penalty points to be attributed to the offence is 10.

[F1(3) For the purposes of Articles 63(5) and 82(4), the number of penalty points to be attributed to an offence is–

(a)where a range of numbers is shown in the last column of Part I or Part II of Schedule 1 in relation to an offence, the lowest number in the range, or

(b)where a range of numbers followed by the words “or appropriate penalty points (graduated fixed penalty)” is shown there in relation to the offence, the appropriate number of penalty points for the offence.

(3A) For the purposes of paragraph (3)(b) the appropriate number of penalty points for an offence is such number of penalty points as the Department may by order prescribe.

(3B) An order made under paragraph (3A) in relation to an offence may make provision for the appropriate number of penalty points for the offence to be different depending on the circumstances, including (in particular)–

(a)the nature of the contravention constituting the offence;

(b)how serious it is;

(c)the area, or sort of place, where it takes place; and

(d)whether the offender appears to have committed any offence or offences of a description specified in the order during a period so specified.]

(4) Where a person is convicted (whether on the same occasion or not) of 2 or more offences committed on the same occasion and involving obligatory endorsement, the total number of penalty points to be attributed to them is the number or highest number that would be attributed on a conviction of one of them (so that if the convictions are on different occasions the number of penalty points to be attributed to the offences on the later occasion or occasions shall be restricted accordingly).

(5) In a case where (apart from this paragraph) paragraph (4) would apply to 2 or more offences, the court may if it thinks fit determine that that paragraph shall not apply to the offences (or, where 3 or more offences are concerned, to any one or more of them).

(6) Where a court makes such a determination it shall state the reasons for the determination in the order of the court.

(7) The Department may by order—

(a)alter a number or range of numbers shown in relation to an offence in the last column of Part I or Part II of Schedule 1 (by substituting one number or range for another, a number for a range, or a range for a number), and

[F2(ab)add or delete the words “or appropriate penalty points (graduated fixed penalty)” in relation to an offence in the last column of Part I or Part II of Schedule 1,]

(b)alter the number of penalty points shown in paragraph (2);

and an order under this paragraph may provide for different numbers or ranges of numbers to be shown in relation to the same offence committed in different circumstances.

[F3(7A) Before making an order under paragraph (3A) the Department must consult with such representative organisations as it thinks fit.]

(8) An order under [F4this Article] shall be made subject to affirmative resolution.

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