How Much Does 6 Points Increase Car Insurance?

Receiving penalty points can affect more than your driving record. Motoring convictions and endorsements can also affect the price and availability of car insurance.

However, claims that six points will automatically increase your premium by a particular percentage should be treated cautiously. Insurance companies assess risk differently, and two drivers with the same number of points can receive very different quotes.

Will 6 Points Increase Your Car Insurance?

Six penalty points can result in higher car insurance costs, but there is no fixed percentage increase that applies to every driver.

An insurer may consider factors including:

• the offence that resulted in the penalty points
• when the offence occurred
• your previous driving history
• your age and driving experience
• the vehicle you drive
• your annual mileage and vehicle use
• other information used by the insurer to calculate your individual risk

The type of offence can therefore be important, rather than simply the total number of points on your driving record.

How Much Does 6 Points Increase Car Insurance?

There is no reliable figure such as 10%, 25% or 50% that can tell you exactly how much six points will increase your car insurance.

Each insurer has its own method of calculating premiums. Your penalty points form part of a much wider assessment of your individual risk.

This means one insurer may increase a premium substantially following a motoring conviction while another may calculate the risk differently.

Rather than relying on an estimated percentage, the most accurate way to find out what six points mean for you is to obtain insurance quotes using accurate information about your driving record.

Does the Type of Driving Offence Matter?

Yes. The number of penalty points is only part of your driving record.

Different motoring offences have different endorsement codes and penalty-point ranges. An insurer can therefore consider the offence itself as well as the number of points associated with it.

You can check current endorsement codes and penalty-point ranges using the official GOV.UK penalty points and endorsement guidance.

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

Expired endorsements are normally removed automatically when they are no longer valid, so you generally do not need to apply to DVLA to have them removed.

For current information, see how long endorsements stay on your driving record on GOV.UK.

For a wider explanation of the rules, including the 12-point totting-up limit, read our guide to how many points you can have on your driving licence.

Do You Have to Tell Your Insurer About Penalty Points?

You should answer the questions your insurer asks about your driving history accurately and completely.

The information an insurer asks for can depend on the policy and the circumstances. Read the questions carefully when applying for or renewing insurance and provide the information requested.

If you are unsure whether your insurer needs to know about a particular endorsement, conviction or change in your driving record, check your policy wording or contact the insurer directly.

What If You’re a New Driver With 6 Points?

Six penalty points are particularly important if you have recently passed your first driving test.

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-driver rules.

Penalty points already on your provisional licence can also carry over after you pass if the endorsement has not expired.

If your licence is revoked under these rules, you will need to apply and pay for a new provisional driving licence and pass both the theory test and practical driving test again before regaining a full licence.

Read our guide to how many points you can have on your driving licence for a more detailed explanation of the penalty-point rules.

You can also read the official GOV.UK guidance on penalty points for new drivers.

How Can You Check Your Penalty Points?

You can check your driving record online to see your current penalty points and endorsements.

The GOV.UK service allows you to view information held on your driving licence record.

View your driving licence information on GOV.UK.

Can You Reduce Your Car Insurance Cost With 6 Points?

If penalty points have increased the cost of your insurance, comparing quotes from different insurers can be worthwhile because insurers assess risk differently.

When comparing policies, look beyond the headline premium. Consider the level of cover, compulsory and voluntary excesses, exclusions and other policy conditions.

Make sure the information you provide when requesting quotes is accurate. A cheaper quote is not useful if it is based on incorrect information about your driving history.

Can You Get Penalty Points Removed Early?

You cannot normally have valid penalty points removed simply because they are making your car insurance more expensive.

Endorsements remain on your driving record for the period that applies to the particular offence and are normally removed automatically when they expire.

Improving Your Driving After Receiving Penalty Points

Receiving penalty points can be a useful reason to reassess your driving and identify habits that may need improving.

Areas worth reviewing can include speed management, observations, following distances, junctions, road positioning, hazard awareness and safe decision-making.

Important: Insurance premiums are calculated individually and vary between insurers. This article provides general information and does not provide insurance or legal advice. Check your driving record, policy wording and insurer’s requirements if you are unsure about your circumstances.