The authority to cancel penalty points is being centralised under a range of new reforms to the system. The removal of the power from senior gardai was among the recommendations contained in a review by the Garda Inspectorate.

In future, drivers seeking the cancellation of points will have to make an application to the processing office.

The Garda Commissioner has announced an array of changes to the penalty points system in the wake of a report from the Garda Inspectorate examining its operation.

The measures are designed to make it easier to apply for point cancellations. They include the removal of the discretionary power to do so from senior officers, with the authority being assigned solely to the Fixed Charge Processing Office in Thurles in Co. Tipperary.

Drivers will have to use a new cancellation form - available on the garda.ie website or from the processing office - to apply for the quashing of points.

A guide setting out the changes to the process can also be found on the garda website, while regular audits will be conducted in future.

Noirin O'Sullivan says the measures demonstrate the commitment by the force to improving the effectiveness and transparency of the penalty points system.