Daily Highlights

Depending on the offence, penalty points and disqualifications are valid for either 3 or 10 years, but they remain on your record for an additional year. Please see the link in Related Information which tells you how long points will remain on your driving record.

If you apply for a driving licence at the age of 17, any points you received as a 15-year-old will be shown on your driving record - you can view your driving record via the link in Related Information.

If you acquire further points on your licence so that the number reaches 6 or more within 2 years of passing your test your licence will be revoked and if you obtain 12 points with a 3 year period, you will be disqualified.

Under the Dangerous Dogs Act, it is illegal to own certain types of dog. These are - a pit bull terrier type, an XL Bully type, a Japanese Tosa type, Dogo Argentino type and a Fila Braziliero type. Whether a dog is banned depends on its appearance rather than its breed or name.

For example, if you owned a dog that had many characteristics of a Pit Bull Terrier, it may be a banned type. It is also against the law to sell, abandon, give away or breed from a banned dog.

The police, with the permission of a court, may seize a banned dog even if a complaint hasn't been made and the dog isn't acting dangerously. If a banned type of dog is in:

•    a public place the police don't need a warrant to seize it
•    a private place, the police must get a warrant to seize it
•    a private place and the police have a warrant for something else (like a drugs search), they can seize it

When a banned dog is seized, a police dog expert will then judge what type of dog you have and whether it is, or could be, a danger to the public. Depending on their decision your dog will either be released or kept in kennels before the case goes to court. If it goes to court, you cannot visit your dog until a decision has been made.

If it does go to court, it will  be your responsibility to prove your dog is not a banned type. If you are successful, your dog will be released to you. If you are not, you will be found guilty of owning a banned type of dog. You can choose to give up ownership of your dog but you can’t be forced.  Should you choose to give up ownership of your dog, the would mean it could be destroyed before even going to court.

If the courts do not consider a banned type to be a danger to the public, you may be allowed to keep it. You will be given a Certificate of Exemption and your dog must be:

•    neutered
•    microchipped
•    kept on a lead and muzzled at all times when in public
•    kept in a secure place so it can't escape

As an owner of a banned type of dog with a Certificate of Exemption, you must:

•    take out insurance against your dog injuring other people
•    be aged over 16
•    show the Certificate of Exemption when asked by a police officer or council dog warden, either at the time or within 5 days
•    let the Index of Exempted Dogs know if you change your address, or your dog dies.

• Switch off the appliance immediately.
• Open all doors and windows to ventilate the room. 
• Leave the property immediately. 
• Shut off the gas at the supply.
• Do not use again until repaired/replaced.
• Call the National Grid on 0800 111 999.
• Contact your GP/casualty or an ambulance depending on the seriousness of the effects.
• Ensure the appliance is fixed/repaired by a Gas Safe registered repairer.