Penalty points are added to your driving record when you are convicted of certain motoring offences. The number of points depends on the offence and, in some cases, the circumstances considered by the court.

The rules are particularly important for new drivers. If you accumulate 6 or more penalty points within two years of passing your first driving test, your driving licence can be revoked.

How Do Penalty Points Work?

Motoring offences that result in an endorsement have an offence code and can carry between 1 and 11 penalty points, depending on the offence.

More serious offences generally attract more points, and some offences can result in disqualification as well as, or instead of, penalty points.

For example, exceeding the statutory speed limit on a public road can result in 3 to 6 penalty points, depending on the circumstances.

You can find the current offence codes and penalty-point ranges in the official GOV.UK penalty points and endorsements guidance.

How Many Points Can You Have Before You’re Banned?

For most drivers, accumulating 12 or more penalty points within a three-year period can result in disqualification under the totting-up system.

A totting-up disqualification will normally last:

• 6 months if you accumulate 12 or more points within three years
• 12 months if you receive a second disqualification within three years
• 2 years if you receive a third disqualification within three years

However, the rules are different for drivers who have recently passed their first driving test.

How Many Points Can a New Driver Have?

If you accumulate 6 or more penalty points within two years of passing your first driving test, your driving licence will normally be revoked under the New Drivers Act.

This is different from the 12-point totting-up system that generally applies to more experienced drivers.

Points received while you are still a learner can also remain on your driving record after you pass your test if the endorsement has not expired.

This means points already on your provisional licence can contribute towards the 6-point limit after you become a qualified driver.

Read the official GOV.UK guidance for new drivers for the current rules.

What Happens If a New Driver Gets 6 Points?

Having your licence revoked under the new-driver rules is different from receiving a driving ban.

If your licence is revoked, you will need to:

1. Apply and pay for a new provisional driving licence.
2. Pass the theory test again.
3. Pass the practical driving test again.

Once you have successfully completed the required tests, you can regain a full driving licence.

This is why the first two years after passing your driving test are particularly important for new drivers.

How Long Do Penalty Points Stay on Your Driving Record?

Endorsements generally remain on your driving record for either 4 or 11 years, depending on the offence.

Many endorsements remain on the record for four years. Certain drink-driving, drug-driving and other serious offences can remain for 11 years.

You generally do not need to apply to DVLA to have an expired endorsement removed. Expired endorsements are normally removed automatically when they are no longer valid.

You can check how long individual endorsements remain on your record using the GOV.UK endorsement guidance.

Can You Be Banned With Fewer Than 12 Points?

Yes. Having fewer than 12 points does not necessarily mean that you cannot be disqualified from driving.

Some motoring offences can result in an immediate driving disqualification regardless of the number of penalty points already on your record.

The court determines whether a driver should be disqualified and the length of the disqualification according to the offence and circumstances.

What Happens If You’re Disqualified?

If you’re disqualified for 56 days or more, you must apply for a new driving licence before driving again.

The court may also require you to retake your driving test or take an extended practical driving test.

If the disqualification is for less than 56 days, you normally do not need to apply for a new licence, but you must wait until the disqualification has ended before driving again.

For more information, read our guide to getting your driving licence back after a driving ban.

What About Speed Awareness Courses?

If you’re caught speeding, you may be offered a speed awareness course instead of receiving the standard fixed penalty and penalty points.

The standard fixed penalty for speeding is currently £100 and 3 penalty points.

Whether you are offered a speed awareness course is decided by the police. You cannot simply choose to take a course instead of receiving penalty points.

GOV.UK states that you may be offered a course if the police decide it is appropriate and you have not attended a speed awareness course within the previous three years.

See the official GOV.UK speeding penalties guidance for further information.

Can Penalty Points Affect Your Car Insurance?

A motoring conviction can affect the price and availability of car insurance because insurers consider your driving history when assessing risk.

The effect will depend on factors including the type of conviction, your driving history, your age, the vehicle and the insurer.

If an insurer asks about motoring convictions or endorsements, make sure you provide accurate information based on the questions you are asked.

How Can I Check How Many Points I Have?

You can check your current penalty points and endorsements online using the official GOV.UK driving licence service.

Your driving record will show your current endorsements and other driving licence information.

View your driving licence information on GOV.UK.

Need to Retake Your Driving Test?

If your licence has been revoked under the new-driver rules, you will need to pass your theory and practical driving tests again before regaining a full driving licence.

Professional driving tuition can help you assess your current standard, correct any bad habits and prepare for the current DVSA practical driving test.

Nolan School of Motoring provides professional manual driving tuition in Stockport and surrounding areas.

Important: Penalty points, licence revocation and driving disqualification depend on the circumstances of the offence and decisions made by the police, DVLA or the courts. Always check your own driving record and current GOV.UK guidance if you are unsure about your licence status.