Failing to follow the rules of the road can lead to points for a wide range of offences, from dangerous driving and being over the legal alcohol limit to something as simple as how your vehicle is maintained or presented. However, not every offence comes with a set consequence. The penalties can vary depending on the severity of the incident and the circumstances surrounding it.
What Are Penalty Points?
Penalty points serve as a way for authorities to penalise drivers for breaking traffic laws. Each offence is assigned a specific number of points, and receiving too many points within a certain period can lead to further consequences, such as fines, disqualification from driving, or even a suspension of your driving licence.
How Do You Get Driving Licence Points?
Each offence carries a specific endorsement code and a set number of penalty points, which remains on your driving record for either 4 or 11 years, depending on the severity of the offence.
- Speeding: 3 to 9 Points
- Drink or Drug Driving: 3 to 11 Points
- Dangerous Driving: 3 to 11 Points
- License Offences: 3 to 6 Points
- Accident Offences: 5 to 10 Points
These points can add up quickly, and if they do, the consequences become more serious. Visit the GOV.UK website for a full list of offences and their endorsement codes.
What’s The Maximum Points on a Driving Licence?
Receiving 12 or more penalty points on your driving licence within a 3-year period can lead to disqualification from driving. This is a serious consequence, as it means you would be banned from driving for a specified period, depending on the circumstances of your offences.
For new drivers, those who have passed their driving test within the last 2 years, the rules are stricter. If you collect more than 6 penalty points during this period, your licence will be automatically revoked. This means you would need to retake both the theory and practical tests to regain your driving licence.
How Long Do Points Stay On Your Driving Licence?
Penalty points are not permanent on your driving record. Instead, they remain for a set period of time, depending on the type of offence committed.
- 4 years: Most offences (like speeding or minor careless driving) typically stay on your record for this period. After 4 years, the points are removed, provided you haven’t received any more points during that time.
- 11 years: More serious offences, like drink-driving, dangerous driving, or causing a fatal accident, can stay on your record for up to 11 years. This is a longer period, due to the greater risk associated with these offences.
Receiving points on your license can impact your car insurance premiums, as insurers view drivers with penalty points as higher risk.
Where Do Points Show On a Driving Licence?
How To Check My Driving Licence Points
You can easily check your driving licence points online via the GOV.UK website, where you’ll find full details of any endorsements and when they’re due to expire.
To use the service, you’ll need:
- Your driving licence number
- Your National Insurance number
- The postcode on your driving licence
Once you’ve entered these details, you’ll be able to see how many penalty points you have, when they were added, and when they’ll be removed from your record.
You can also view your full driving history, including any disqualifications and the types of vehicles you’re licensed to drive. This can be especially useful when applying for a driving job, renewing insurance, or hiring a vehicle.
Do You Have To Send Off Your Driving Licence For Points?
No, you don’t need to send in your driving licence to have penalty points added, even after receiving a Fixed Penalty Notice.
When you accept, the DVLA will update your driving record digitally and the points are recorded on your licence electronically to be viewed on the Driving License page on the GOV.UK website.
You’ll still need to pay the fine and respond within the time limit, but there’s no need to physically post your licence. This helps to speed up enforcement and keeps everything securely stored online.
Can Points Result in a Driving Ban?
Penalty points on your driving licence can lead to a driving ban. If you reach 12 or more points within 3 years, you’ll face a totting-up ban, which can result in a 6-month disqualification. As mentioned earlier, for new drivers who have passed their test within the last two years, receiving 6 or more points will automatically revoke your licence. Additionally, serious offences like drink driving or dangerous driving can lead to an immediate ban, regardless of your points total.
At JCT600, we have a great selection of cars and vans equipped with advanced safety features like speed limit assist, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist and more, to help keep you safe on the road and reduce the risk of penalty points.