How to Check How Many Points You Have on Your License?

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How to Check How Many Points You Have on Your License

Penalty points on a driving licence are used to record traffic violations in the UK. Whether it’s a speeding offence, using a mobile phone while driving, or more serious violations like drink-driving, these points can impact your ability to drive and even affect your car insurance premiums.

Checking how many points you have on your licence is crucial to staying informed and ensuring compliance with UK road laws.

In this guide, I’ll explain how to check your driving record, how long penalty points stay on a licence, and what they mean for your driving privileges.

What Are Penalty Points on a Driving Licence?

What Are Penalty Points on a Driving Licence

The UK driving penalty point system is designed to penalise drivers who commit motoring offences.

Depending on the severity of the offence, penalty points can remain on a driving record for four to eleven years. Below is a detailed breakdown of the different types of offences, their associated penalty points, and how long they stay on a driver’s record.

Accident Offences

Penalty points for accident-related offences remain on a driving record for four years from the date of the offence.

Code Offence Penalty Points
AC10 Failing to stop after an accident 5 to 10
AC20 Failing to provide details or report an accident within 24 hours 5 to 10
AC30 Other unspecified accident offences 4 to 9

Driving While Disqualified

Offences related to driving while disqualified carry penalty points that remain on a driving record for four years.

The duration varies depending on whether the points are recorded from the offence date or the conviction date.

Code Offence Penalty Points
BA10 Driving while disqualified by court order 6
BA30 Attempting to drive while disqualified 6
BA40 Causing death by driving while disqualified 3 to 11
BA60 Causing serious injury by driving while disqualified 3 to 11

Careless and Inconsiderate Driving

Penalty points for careless driving offences remain on a driving record for four years from the date of the offence. However, if the offence results in death, the points stay on record for eleven years.

Code Offence Penalty Points
CD10 Driving without due care and attention 3 to 9
CD20 Driving without reasonable consideration for other road users 3 to 9
CD30 Driving without due care and consideration for others 3 to 9
CD33 Causing serious injury by careless or inconsiderate driving 3 to 9
CD40 Causing death by careless driving while under the influence of alcohol 3 to 11
CD50 Causing death by careless driving while under the influence of drugs 3 to 11
CD60 Causing death by careless driving with excess alcohol 3 to 11
CD70 Causing death by careless driving and failing to provide a specimen 3 to 11
CD80 Causing death by careless or inconsiderate driving 3 to 11
CD90 Causing death by driving while unlicensed, disqualified, or uninsured 3 to 11

Construction and Use Offences

These offences relate to the condition of the vehicle and remain on the driving record for four years from the offence date.

Code Offence Penalty Points
CU10 Driving a vehicle with defective brakes 3
CU20 Using an unsuitable vehicle or one with dangerous parts 3
CU30 Driving with defective tyres 3
CU40 Driving with defective steering 3
CU50 Causing danger due to vehicle load or passengers 3
CU80 Failing to maintain control of a vehicle (e.g., using a mobile phone) 3 to 6

Reckless or Dangerous Driving

These offences result in penalty points remaining on a driving record for four years from the date of conviction.

Code Offence Penalty Points
DD10 Causing serious injury by dangerous driving 3 to 11
DD40 Dangerous driving 3 to 11
DD60 Manslaughter or culpable homicide while driving 3 to 11
DD80 Causing death by dangerous driving 3 to 11
DD90 Furious driving 3 to 9

Drink-Driving Offences

Certain drink-driving offences remain on a driving record for eleven years, while others remain for four years from either the date of the offence or the conviction.

Code Offence Penalty Points
DR10 Driving with alcohol levels above the legal limit 3 to 11
DR20 Driving while unfit due to alcohol consumption 3 to 11
DR30 Failing to provide a specimen for analysis while driving 3 to 11
DR40 In charge of a vehicle while above the alcohol limit 10
DR50 In charge of a vehicle while unfit through drink 10
DR60 Failing to provide a specimen for analysis (non-driving circumstances) 10
DR70 Failing to co-operate with a breathalyser test 4

Drug-Related Driving Offences

Drug-related offences carry penalty points that stay on a driving record for eleven years for serious offences and four years for lesser offences.

Code Offence Penalty Points
DG10 Driving while above the drug limit 3 to 11
DG60 Causing death by careless driving under the influence of drugs 3 to 11
DR80 Driving while unfit due to drug consumption 3 to 11
DG40 In charge of a vehicle while above the drug limit 10
DR90 In charge of a vehicle while unfit due to drugs 10

Insurance and Licence Offences

These offences remain on a driving record for four years.

Code Offence Penalty Points
IN10 Driving without valid insurance 6 to 8
LC20 Driving without a valid licence 3 to 6
LC30 Making a false declaration when applying for a licence 3 to 6
LC40 Driving despite failing to notify a medical disability 3 to 6
LC50 Driving after licence cancellation or refusal on medical grounds 3 to 6

Speeding Offences

Speeding violations carry penalty points that stay on a driving record for four years.

Code Offence Penalty Points
SP10 Exceeding goods vehicle speed limits 3 to 6
SP30 Exceeding statutory speed limit on public roads 3 to 6
SP50 Exceeding speed limit on a motorway driving 3 to 6

Traffic Light and Sign Offences

These offences remain on a driving record for four years.

Code Offence Penalty Points
TS10 Failing to comply with traffic light signals 3
TS20 Ignoring double white lines 3
TS30 Failing to comply with a stop sign 3

These penalty points are part of the UK’s legal system to ensure responsible driving and improve road safety. Drivers should regularly check their driving record to avoid potential disqualification.

How Can You Check the Points on Your Driving Licence Online?

How Can You Check the Points on Your Driving Licence Online

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) provides an online service that allows drivers to check their penalty points easily. To access this service, drivers need to visit the official DVLA website and provide specific personal details.

To check the penalty points on a driving licence, the following information is required:

  • Driving licence number
  • National Insurance number
  • Postcode registered on the driving licence

By entering these details, drivers can view their current penalty points, any driving disqualifications, and the date when penalty points are due to expire. The online system is the most efficient and quickest way to access this information.

Can You Check Your Driving Licence Points by Phone or Post?

Drivers who prefer not to use the online service can check their penalty points through alternative methods such as phone or post.

  • To check by phone, drivers can contact the DVLA at 0300 790 6801 and provide their personal details to receive information about their driving record.
  • To check by post, drivers must complete a Subject Access Request (D888 form) and send it to the DVLA. This process may take longer than online or phone requests.

How Long Do Penalty Points Stay on Your Driving Licence?

Penalty points, also known as endorsements, remain on a driving record for either 4 years or 11 years, depending on the severity of the offence. The duration of the endorsement is determined by the type of violation committed and whether the offence resulted in disqualification.

When Do Endorsements Start and Expire?

The starting point for an endorsement can be either the date of the offence or the date of conviction, depending on the circumstances.

  • If an endorsement lasts 4 years, it is considered “valid” for the first 3 years.
  • If an endorsement lasts 11 years, it remains “valid” for the first 10 years.

A court can take a valid endorsement into account if:

  • A new offence is committed while the endorsement is still valid.
  • The endorsement remains on the driver’s record at the time of the court’s decision.

Other parties, such as insurance companies and employers, may have access to this information at different points:

  • 4-year endorsements can be seen at any time during their validity.
  • 11-year endorsements can be seen for the first 5 years, or 30 months if the driver is under 18.

Endorsements That Stay on a Driving Record for 4 Years

In most cases, penalty points remain on a driving record for 4 years, but whether the duration starts from the date of the offence or the date of conviction depends on the type of violation.

4 Years from the Date of Conviction:

Certain offences require endorsements to remain on a driving record for 4 years from the date of conviction. These include:

  • Reckless or dangerous driving (Codes: DD40, DD60, DD80)
  • Offences that result in disqualification from driving

For example, if a driver is convicted of dangerous driving on 28 May 2011, the endorsement would stay on their record until 28 May 2015.

4 Years from the Date of Offence:

For most other motoring offences, penalty points remain on a driving record for 4 years from the date of the offence.

For example, if a driver committed an offence on 10 June 2012, the endorsement would stay on their record until 10 June 2016.

Endorsements That Stay on a Driving Record for 11 Years

Endorsements That Stay on a Driving Record for 11 Years

More serious offences, particularly those related to drink or drug driving, remain on a driving record for 11 years from the date of conviction.

This applies to offences such as:

  • Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs (Codes: DR10, DR20, DR30, DR31, DR61, DR80)
  • Causing death by careless driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs (Codes: CD40, CD50, CD60)
  • Causing death by careless driving and failing to provide a specimen for analysis (Code: CD70)

Since these offences pose significant risks to road safety, the extended duration ensures that they remain on a driver’s record for a longer period.

Understanding how long penalty points stay on a licence is essential for drivers to manage their records and comply with UK driving laws. Regularly checking a driving record can help drivers stay informed and take necessary precautions to avoid further penalties.

How Do Penalty Points Affect Your Driving and Insurance?

Penalty points have consequences beyond just appearing on a driving record. They can affect car insurance premiums, job opportunities, and the ability to drive legally.

Car insurance providers use penalty points as a factor in calculating risk. A driver with multiple penalty points is considered higher risk, leading to increased insurance premiums. Some insurers may even refuse to provide coverage for drivers with serious or multiple offences.

Employers, particularly those in industries that require driving, may also check a driver’s record before hiring. A history of penalty points can affect job prospects, especially for professional drivers or those required to operate company vehicles.

For those who accumulate twelve or more penalty points within a three-year period, a driving ban is likely. This is known as the totting-up system, where excessive points result in automatic disqualification.

How Can You Reduce or Remove Points from Your Driving Licence?

Once penalty points are added to a licence, they cannot be removed until they expire. However, there are ways to avoid accumulating additional points and mitigate future risks.

  • In some cases, drivers may be offered a speed awareness course instead of receiving penalty points for minor speeding offences. These courses aim to educate drivers about road safety and encourage better driving habits.
  • Practising safe and responsible driving is the best way to prevent further penalties. Obeying traffic laws, staying within speed limits, and avoiding distractions while driving can significantly reduce the risk of violations.

What Are the Most Common Driving Offences That Lead to Penalty Points?

Many driving offences in the UK result in penalty points. Some of the most common include:

  • Speeding (SP30, SP50) – 3 to 6 points
  • Driving without insurance (IN10) – 6 to 8 points
  • Using a mobile phone while driving (CU80) – 3 to 6 points
  • Drink or drug driving (DR10, DR20) – 3 to 11 points
  • Driving without due care and attention (CD10, CD30) – 3 to 9 points

Understanding which offences carry penalty points can help drivers be more cautious and avoid accumulating points on their licence.

What Happens If You Accumulate Too Many Points?

Drivers who accumulate twelve or more penalty points within three years face a disqualification under the totting-up system. The length of disqualification depends on the number of previous bans.

  • A first-time ban typically lasts for six months.
  • A second disqualification within three years results in a twelve-month ban.
  • A third disqualification within three years leads to a two-year driving ban.

New drivers face stricter rules. If a driver accumulates six or more points within two years of passing their test, their licence is revoked. To regain a licence, they must retake both the theory and practical driving tests.

How Can You Avoid Getting Penalty Points on Your Licence?

Preventing penalty points is key to maintaining a clean driving record and avoiding the associated consequences. Safe driving habits, awareness of traffic laws, and defensive driving techniques all contribute to reducing the risk of offences.

  • Staying within speed limits and obeying road signs can prevent many common traffic violations.
  • Avoiding distractions, such as mobile phone use while driving, reduces the risk of careless driving penalties.
  • Taking additional driving courses or refresher lessons can improve driving skills and confidence on the road.
  • Black box car insurance policies, which monitor driving behaviour, can encourage safer driving habits and potentially lead to lower insurance premiums.

By following road regulations and driving responsibly, motorists can minimise the chances of receiving penalty points and maintain a clean driving licence.

Do You Have to Tell Your Insurance Company About Points Straight Away?

Do You Have to Tell Your Insurance Company About Points Straight Away

Most insurers do not require drivers to disclose penalty points immediately. However, when renewing a policy, drivers must inform their insurer about any points on their licence.

Failure to disclose penalty points when required can result in an invalid insurance policy, making it difficult to claim in the event of an accident.

While the DVLA removes penalty points from a driving licence after four to eleven years, insurance companies may still ask about motoring convictions from the past five years. Even after points expire from the licence, they can still impact insurance quotes and coverage options.

Conclusion

Checking your driving licence points is essential for staying within the law and avoiding unnecessary fines or bans. Whether you check online via the DVLA or request details by phone or post, keeping track of your driving record helps you manage your licence effectively.

By understanding how long points stay on your licence, how they affect your insurance, and how to avoid accumulating them, you can maintain a clean driving record and ensure safer roads for everyone.

FAQs

How often should I check my driving licence points?

It’s a good idea to check your points at least once a year or whenever you receive a notice of a driving offence.

Can I check someone else’s driving licence points?

No, you can only check your own licence unless you have legal permission from the driver.

Will my employer be able to see my penalty points?

Yes, if you drive for work, employers may request a DVLA check to verify your driving record.

Do penalty points affect my ability to rent a car?

Yes, rental companies may refuse service to drivers with recent penalty points.

How do I know if my points have been removed?

You can check your updated record through the DVLA website.