How penalty points work
When you’re convicted of a motoring offence — by a court, or by accepting a fixed penalty — your licence is “endorsed” with an offence code and a number of points. Minor offences carry 3; more serious ones carry more. The points build up, and it’s the total within a rolling period that decides whether you’re disqualified.
Points don’t go on a physical licence any more — they sit on your DVLA driving record, which you (and insurers, employers or hire firms with your permission) can view online.
The 12-point totting-up ban
You can be disqualified if you build up 12 or more points within 3 years (the “totting-up” rule). The ban gets longer if you’ve been disqualified before:
| Situation | Minimum ban |
|---|
| 12+ points in 3 years (first time) | 6 months |
| A second disqualification within 3 years | 12 months |
| A third disqualification within 3 years | 2 years |
Points count towards a ban if the offences were committed within 3 years of each other. That’s the date of the offence, not the date you were convicted — which can move the window.
“Exceptional hardship”At 12 points a court can, in some cases, decide not to disqualify if you prove a ban would cause exceptional hardship (for example losing a job that others depend on). It’s at the court’s discretion, not a right — get legal advice before relying on it.
New drivers — the 6-point rule
If you passed your first driving test in the last 2 years, a far lower limit applies. Reach 6 or more points within 2 years of passing and your licence is revoked automatically — you go back to a provisional licence and must pass the theory and practical tests again to get your full licence back.
Starting again from provisional? The learn to drive guide lists every step, official cost and DVLA/DVSA link in order.
Two speeding tickets can end itBecause a single speeding offence is usually 3 points, two within your first two years can hit 6 and revoke your licence. Points you got before passing (on a provisional) can also count towards the 6. New drivers should treat every endorsement as serious.
How long points last
Endorsements stay on your record for 4 or 11 years, depending on the offence:
| Offence type | Stays on record |
|---|
| Most offences (speeding, phone, careless driving) | 4 years (usually from the offence date) |
| Drink/drug driving, causing death by dangerous driving | 11 years (from conviction) |
Even though points may stay visible for 4 or 11 years, they only count towards a totting-up ban for the 3-year window above. Insurers, though, will usually ask about points for around 5 years.
What the codes mean
Each offence has an endorsement code and a points range. Common ones:
| Code | Offence | Points |
|---|
| SP30 | Speeding on a public road | 3–6 |
| CU80 | Using a mobile phone while driving | 6 |
| IN10 | Driving without insurance | 6–8 |
| TS10 | Failing to comply with traffic signals | 3 |
| CD10 | Driving without due care and attention | 3–9 |
| DR10 | Drink driving (over the limit) | 3–11 |
The full list is in the Highway Code’s penalties annex — see the sources below.
Insurance, and if you’re facing a ban
- Tell your insurer. You must declare points, and not doing so can invalidate your policy. Premiums usually rise — more for serious offences.
- Speed awareness course. For some lower-speed offences the police may offer a course instead of points (you can only do one within 3 years). See speeding fines.
- Near 12 points? Get legal advice before a court hearing — the “exceptional hardship” argument is technical and must be evidenced.
- New driver revoked? You can drive again once you re-apply for a provisional and pass both tests.
Do this now
Check exactly where you stand with the free GOV.UK View your driving licence service (licence number + National Insurance number + postcode). Never pay a third-party site to see your own points.
Got a speeding notice or NIP? See speeding fines. Health condition that affects driving? You may need to tell the DVLA — see DVLA medical conditions.
Source verification
Primary sources: GOV.UK — Penalty points (endorsements): Overview, New drivers, and Endorsement codes and penalty points (
gov.uk/penalty-points-endorsements); Driving disqualifications (
gov.uk/driving-disqualifications); and the Highway Code Annex 5 (Penalties). Last verified 2 July 2026 — the 12-points-in-3-years totting-up ban and 6/12/24-month escalation, the new-driver revocation at 6 points within 2 years of passing (theory + practical re-test), the 4-year / 11-year record retention, and the common endorsement codes (SP30, CU80, IN10, TS10, CD10, DR10) were web-checked against GOV.UK. Confidence: High — statutory rules. The exact points for a given offence are set by the court within the published range, and the “exceptional hardship” outcome is at the court’s discretion. Scope: Great Britain (Northern Ireland has an equivalent system via the DVA / nidirect). Not legal advice — get legal advice if you’re facing disqualification.
Penalty points — common questions
How many points before a ban?
12 or more within 3 years usually means a ban (“totting up”) — at least 6 months the first time, 12 months for a second disqualification within 3 years, 2 years for a third. New drivers are revoked at just 6 points within 2 years of passing.
What’s the new-driver 6-point rule?
If you reach 6+ points within 2 years of passing your first test, your licence is cancelled. You go back to a provisional and must pass the theory and practical tests again. Points from before you passed can count towards the 6.
How long do points last?
4 years for most offences (usually from the offence date), or 11 years for drink/drug driving and causing death by dangerous driving. They only count towards a ban for a 3-year window, but insurers usually ask about them for ~5 years.
Do points affect my insurance?
Yes — you must declare them or risk invalidating your policy, and they usually raise your premium (a lot more for serious offences). The effect typically lasts around 5 years.
How do I check my points?
Use the free GOV.UK “View your driving licence” service with your licence number, National Insurance number and postcode. Never pay a third-party site to see your own record.