Penalty Points and Careless Driving: What Changed in 2026

Road traffic law is an area that sees frequent adjustment, and 2026 has brought a number of changes worth knowing about if you drive regularly in Co. Louth or further afield.

Penalty point thresholds and the offences that attract them have been reviewed again this year, with continued emphasis on mobile phone use and careless driving offences in particular. It's worth remembering that accepting a fixed charge notice avoids court, but still carries penalty points — and reaching the disqualification threshold has real consequences for anyone who depends on their licence for work.

If you do receive a summons to appear in court, it's important to get advice promptly. In many cases there are legitimate arguments to be made about the circumstances of an alleged offence, or about whether the correct procedure was followed in issuing the charge.

We'd always encourage anyone facing a road traffic prosecution to talk to a solicitor before the court date, rather than on the morning of the hearing — it gives us time to review the file properly and advise you on the realistic range of outcomes.

"Talk to a solicitor before your court date, not on the morning of the hearing."