Driving Licence Points: How Long Do They Stay?

Summary

• Most driving licence penalty points stay on your licence for four years from the date of the offence, though some serious offences remain for 11 years.
• Points become "spent" after a set period and no longer count towards the 12-point disqualification limit, but they remain visible on your licence record longer.
• Accumulating 12 or more penalty points within three years leads to an automatic driving ban of at least six months — new drivers face stricter rules with a six-point limit.

Got points on your licence? You are not alone. Millions of UK drivers carry penalty points. The good news is they do not last forever. Here is exactly how long different points stay and what they mean for your driving record.

How Penalty Points Work

Penalty points are added to your driving licence when you commit a motoring offence. The number of points depends on the severity of the offence. Minor offences carry three points. Serious offences can carry up to 11.

Points are recorded on your driving record held by the DVLA. You can check your points online using the DVLA's "View your driving licence" service at any time.

If you accumulate 12 or more points within a three-year period, you face automatic disqualification. The court will ban you from driving for at least six months. Repeat offenders face longer bans.

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How Long Points Stay On Your Licence

Points remain on your licence for a set period. The duration depends on the type of offence:

Offence Type	Points	Stay on Licence
Speeding (SP30)	3–6	4 years from offence date
Using a mobile phone (CU80)	6	4 years from offence date
Traffic light offences (TS10)	3	4 years from offence date
Careless driving (CD10)	3–9	4 years from offence date
Drink driving (DR10)	3–11	11 years from conviction
Dangerous driving (DD40)	3–11	4 years from offence date
Causing death by careless driving (CD40–CD90)	3–11	11 years from conviction

Most points stay for four years from the date of the offence. Drink driving and drug driving offences stay for 11 years from the date of conviction. This is a crucial difference — offence date versus conviction date.

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Active vs Expired Points

There is an important difference between when points are "active" and when they are finally removed from your record.

Active points count towards the 12-point totting-up limit. For most offences, points are active for three years from the date of offence.

Endorsement period is how long the points show on your licence record. This is four years for most offences and 11 years for serious ones like drink driving.

Points stop counting towards a ban after three years, but they remain visible on your licence for four years. Insurers can see them for even longer.

After the endorsement period ends, the DVLA removes the points from your record. You do not need to apply for this — it happens automatically.

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Common Endorsement Codes Explained

Every penalty point comes with an endorsement code. Here are the most common ones:

• SP30: Exceeding the statutory speed limit on a public road (3–6 points).
• SP50: Exceeding the speed limit on a motorway (3–6 points).
• CU80: Using a handheld mobile phone while driving (6 points).
• TS10: Failing to comply with a traffic light signal (3 points).
• IN10: Driving without insurance (6–8 points).
• DR10: Driving or attempting to drive with alcohol above the legal limit (3–11 points).
• CD10: Driving without due care and attention (3–9 points).

The endorsement code appears on your licence record alongside the number of points and the date of offence. Insurers use these codes when calculating your premium.

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Special Rules For New Drivers

If you passed your driving test less than two years ago, stricter rules apply. New drivers face a six-point limit instead of 12.

If you accumulate six or more points within your first two years of driving, your licence is automatically revoked. You must reapply for a provisional licence and pass both the theory and practical tests again.

This includes any points carried over from when you were a learner. If you received three points as a learner and three more after passing, your licence would be revoked.

This is why understanding your insurance and driving carefully as a new driver is so important. One serious offence could mean starting from scratch.

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How Points Affect Your Insurance

Penalty points increase your car insurance premiums. Insurers see points as evidence of risky driving behaviour.

The impact depends on the number and type of points:

• 3 points (speeding): Expect a 5–10% premium increase.
• 6 points (mobile phone): Premiums could rise by 25–45%.
• 9+ points: Some mainstream insurers may refuse to cover you.
• Drink driving: Premiums can double or triple. Specialist insurers may be required.

You must declare all penalty points when applying for or renewing insurance. Failing to declare points could invalidate your policy entirely.

Points affect your premiums for the full time they appear on your licence — four years for most offences. Even after points expire, some insurers ask about convictions within the past five years.

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How To Check Your Points

You can check your driving licence points for free online:

1. Visit the GOV.UK website and search for "View your driving licence."
2. Sign in using your Government Gateway ID.
3. Your current points, endorsement codes, and expiry dates are all shown.

You can also request a DVLA driving licence check code. This gives a temporary code you can share with employers or insurers so they can verify your record.

Check your record regularly. Mistakes do happen. If you spot an error, contact the DVLA immediately to get it corrected. Keep your MOT history up to date too — it is all part of responsible car ownership.

Penalty points are a serious matter. Drive carefully, know the rules, and keep track of your record. Prevention is always cheaper than the consequences.

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