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.
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.