Driving Licence Points Explained: What You Need to Know

Understanding how penalty points work on a UK driving licence is essential for all motorists. Whether you're a new driver or an experienced road user, avoiding points on your licence can save you from fines, higher insurance premiums, or even disqualification from driving. create

What Are Driving Licence Penalty Points?

Penalty points, also known as endorsements, are added to your driving record when you commit a motoring offence. These points are recorded by the DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency) and serve as a way to monitor driver behaviour and penalise repeat offenders.

Penalty points are assigned in accordance with Part 3 of the Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988 (RTOA), and each offence carries an offence code. These points remain on your record for four or 11 years, depending on the severity of the offence.

How Many Points Can You Get?

• The minimum number of points issued for a single offence is 2.
• The maximum number of points is 11, typically reserved for the most serious offences, such as dangerous driving or drink-driving.
• If you accumulate 12 or more points within three years, you could face disqualification.
• New drivers (within the first two years of passing their test) will have their licence revoked if they receive six or more points.

Common Driving Offences and Their Points

Different driving offences carry different numbers of points. Here are some of the most common offences:

A full list of endorsement codes and penalties is available on the UK Government website.

How Long Do Points Stay on Your Licence?

• Four-year endorsements: Most minor offences, such as speeding, stay on your record for four years from the date of the offence.
• Eleven-year endorsements: Serious offences, such as drink-driving or causing death by dangerous driving, remain on your record for 11 years from the date of conviction.
• Once the endorsement expires, it is automatically removed from your record.

Totting-Up Ban: What Happens If You Get 12 Points?

If you accumulate 12 or more points within three years, you may receive a driving disqualification. This is known as a totting-up ban (TT99). The standard ban duration is six months, but it can be extended depending on previous disqualifications.

Key things to note:

• Even if your points expire before your court date, the offence date is what matters.
• Courts have discretion and may reduce or extend the ban based on circumstances.

What Happens If You're a New Driver?

The Road Traffic (New Drivers) Act 1995 states that if a driver gets six or more points within two years of passing their test, their licence will be revoked.

To regain your licence, you must:

1. Apply for a new provisional licence.
2. Pass the theory and practical driving tests again.
3. In some cases, take an extended driving test.

Speed Awareness Courses: An Alternative to Points?

For minor speeding offences, some drivers may be offered a Speed Awareness Course instead of receiving points. Eligibility criteria include:

• You must admit fault.
• You must not have attended a speed awareness course in the last three years.
• Your speed must be within a specific threshold (e.g., 35-42 mph in a 30 mph zone).

These courses are designed to educate drivers and prevent repeat offences.

How to Check Your Driving Record

With the removal of the paper counterpart, you can now check your driving licence details online via the DVLA’s 'View Driving Licence' service. This allows you to:

• See how many points you have.
• Generate a check code for an employer or insurance company.

Impact of Penalty Points on Insurance

Having penalty points on your licence can significantly increase your car insurance premium. Insurers view drivers with endorsements as high-risk, leading to higher costs. Failure to declare points could also invalidate your insurance.

Can You Avoid or Remove Penalty Points?

There is no way to remove points before they expire. The best way to avoid penalty points is by driving safely and following the Highway Code.

Final Thoughts

Penalty points are designed to make roads safer and encourage responsible driving. By understanding how they work, you can take the necessary steps to avoid fines, licence revocation, or disqualification.