How long points stay on your licence
| Type of offence | Stays on record | Counts towards a ban |
|---|---|---|
| Most offences, such as speeding or using a phone | 4 years from the offence date | 3 years |
| Reckless or dangerous driving, or offences that led to a ban | 4 years from the conviction date | 3 years |
| Drink or drug driving, and causing death by careless driving under the influence | 11 years from the conviction date | 10 years |
Common offences and their points
| Offence | Points |
|---|---|
| Speeding (fixed penalty) | 3 |
| Speeding (court, depending on speed) | 3 to 6, or a ban |
| Using a hand-held phone while driving | 6, plus a £200 fine |
| Driving without insurance | 6 to 8 |
| Running a red light | 3 |
| Careless driving | 3 to 9 |
| Driving with defective tyres (per tyre) | 3 |
See our speeding fine calculator for the fine bands if a speeding case goes to court.
The 12-point totting-up ban
If you reach 12 or more points within 3 years, a court will normally ban you from driving. The minimum ban is:
- 6 months if you have had no ban in the last 3 years.
- 1 year if you have had one ban of 56 days or more in the last 3 years.
- 2 years if you have had more than one such ban.
A court can decide not to ban you if it would cause "exceptional hardship", such as losing a job that others depend on, but this is not easy to argue.
New drivers: the 6-point rule
If you get 6 or more points within 2 years of passing your first test, your licence is revoked. You then have to apply for a provisional licence and pass both the theory and practical tests again. Two speeding fixed penalties are enough. Points from before you passed count too, if they are still valid.
How to check your points
Use the free GOV.UK "View or share your driving licence information" service. You need your driving licence number, National Insurance number and postcode. It shows your points, when they were given and when they expire.
Points and insurance
Insurers usually ask about convictions in the last 5 years, even after points have expired from your licence. Answer honestly: undisclosed points can invalidate a policy.
Sources
- GOV.UK: Penalty points (endorsements)
- GOV.UK: How long endorsements stay on your licence
- GOV.UK: Endorsement codes and penalty points
- GOV.UK: View your driving licence information
Checked against official sources on 15 October 2026. Rules and prices change, so confirm anything important on GOV.UK. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.