Causing death by driving: unlicensed, disqualified or uninsured drivers

Section 250

Legislation

Statute

Road Traffic Act 1988

Section

Section 3ZB

Life Sentence Eligible

View on legislation.gov.uk

violent Section250 ProgressionExcluded

Classified as a violent offence

Eligible for Section 250 youth detention (offenders under 18) - release at 50%

ProgressionExcluded

How this offence affects release dates under the Sentencing Act 2026

This offence does not trigger section 244ZA(7), so standard release rules apply:

Release point now: 40% (two-fifths)
From 1 October 2026: Unchanged. This offence is in the Schedule to SI 2026/953, so it is excluded from the progression model — the release point stays exactly where it is. It does not get longer
Note: The applicable regime depends on sentence date, and people already in custody move across in stages by sentence length

Special release rules for offenders sentenced when under 18

When this offence is committed by someone under 18 years old, Section 250 of the Sentencing Act 2020 governs their release:

Release point: Halfway (50%) of the custodial term
Not affected by SA 2026: Youth sentences are NOT subject to the one-third release changes. Section 23(10) was not commenced for them (SI 2026/953, regulation 6)
Applies to: Detention in a Young Offender Institution or Secure Training Centre

Learn More About Youth Sentencing