Litter louts face losing driving licences

Fly-tippers dumping rubbish across Devon could soon face losing their driving licences under new government plans to crack down on litter and waste crime.

Ministers are considering measures that would allow penalty points to be added to the licences of people convicted of fly-tipping, meaning repeat offenders could eventually be banned from driving altogether.

The tougher approach comes as the scale of the problem continues to grow locally. Figures from the Devon Authorities Strategic Waste Committee show 4,894 fly-tipping incidents were recorded across Devon authorities in 2024–25, a 10% increase on the previous year.

Across the county, councils dealt with more than 1,100 tonnes of illegally dumped waste in a single year, highlighting the growing clean-up burden on local authorities and taxpayers.

The proposal forms part of a new national “Waste Crime Action Plan” expected to be published shortly, aimed at tackling illegal dumping from small roadside tips to large organised waste sites.

Under the plans, offenders caught fly-tipping – often involving loads about the size of a small van – could face penalty points on their driving licences. Drivers who accumulate 12 or more points within three years can be disqualified from driving.

Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds said the government was determined to crack down on the crime.

She added: “Fly-tipping damages our communities and the environment and we are taking action to stop it. “Litter louts who repeatedly break the law will see points added to their licence and risk losing it for good if they continue to offend.”

The government says the move would make it harder for offenders to continue dumping waste illegally if they are banned from driving.

Councils are also being encouraged to use existing powers to seize and crush vehicles used in fly-tipping.