Stay in the Clear: Your Essential Guide to Checking Your Driving Licence Points
Driving is a privilege, and with it comes a significant responsibility. Every time you get behind the wheel, you’re expected to adhere to the rules of the road. When those rules are broken, the consequences can range from a simple warning to penalty points being added to your driving licence. These points, also known as endorsements, are more than just numbers; they can impact everything from your insurance premiums to your very ability to drive.
The thought of accumulating points can be unsettling, and the uncertainty surrounding your current driving record can be even more so. How many points do you have? When do they expire? Are you inadvertently close to a driving ban? These are critical questions that every driver should be able to answer with confidence.
That’s where this comprehensive guide comes in. We’re here to demystify the process of checking your driving licence points, explaining why it’s crucial, what information you’ll find, and how to interpret it. By the end of this post, you’ll be equipped with all the knowledge you need to proactively manage your driving record and ensure you stay in the clear.
What Exactly Are Driving Licence Points (Endorsements)?
Driving licence points, or endorsements, are essentially a record of driving offences held against your driving licence. When you commit a motoring offence, the court or fixed penalty office will assign a specific number of points to your licence, corresponding to the severity of the infraction. These points are not a punishment in themselves, but rather a system designed to encourage safe driving and deter repeat offending. They serve as a cumulative warning system, highlighting drivers who consistently break the rules.
Each endorsement has a specific code (e.g., SP30 for speeding) and a set validity period, typically lasting either 4 or 11 years from the date of the offence, depending on the nature of the crime. While points remain on your record, they count towards the total that could lead to disqualification.
Why Checking Your Driving Licence Points Is Crucial
You might think that if you haven’t recently been stopped by the police or received a notice of intended prosecution, your record is clear. However, sometimes minor infractions can slip your mind, or you might be unaware of the precise expiry dates of older endorsements. Regularly checking your driving licence points is an act of responsible driving management that offers several vital benefits:
- Proactive Risk Management: Don’t wait for a surprise. Knowing your current point tally allows you to drive more cautiously and avoid reaching the threshold for disqualification.
- Impact on Insurance Premiums: Your driving record is a significant factor in how insurance companies calculate your premiums. More points often mean higher costs. Knowing your points helps you understand why your premiums might be increasing, or gives you peace of mind if they’re low.
- Understanding Disqualification Risk: For most drivers, accumulating 12 or more penalty points within a three-year period can lead to a driving ban. Checking your points lets you know how close you are to this critical limit.
- New Driver Probationary Period: If you passed your driving test in the last two years, you’re subject to special rules. Accumulating just 6 points during this probationary period will result in your licence being revoked. Regular checks are indispensable for new drivers.
- Ensuring Accuracy: Mistakes can happen. By checking your record, you can identify any discrepancies or points that you believe have been incorrectly applied or should have expired.
- Peace of Mind: Simply knowing where you stand can reduce anxiety and allow you to drive with greater confidence, knowing your record is up-to-date and understood.
How to Check Your Driving Licence Points: Your Step-by-Step Guide
The most straightforward and immediate way to check your driving licence points is online. The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) in the UK provides a convenient digital service for this purpose.
What You’ll Need:
Before you begin, gather the following essential pieces of information:
- Your Great Britain or Northern Ireland driving licence number
- Your National Insurance number
- The postcode on your driving licence
Checking Online (The Easiest Method):
- Visit the Official Portal: Go directly to the official DVLA website’s “View your driving licence information” service. Be wary of unofficial third-party sites that may charge for this free service.
- Enter Your Details: You will be prompted to enter your driving licence number, National Insurance number, and postcode.
- Access Your Information: After successfully entering your details, you’ll be granted access to your digital driving licence record.
- Navigate to Endorsements: The information will typically be presented in sections. Look for a section titled “Endorsements” or “Penalty Points.”
Information You’ll See Online
Once you’ve accessed your digital record, you’ll find a clear breakdown of any penalty points currently on your licence. This usually includes:
| Information Category | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Endorsement Code | A specific code identifying the type of offence. | SP30, CU80, TS10 |
| Offence Description | A brief description of the motoring offence committed. | Exceeding speed limit |
| Offence Date | The date on which the offence took place. This is crucial for calculating expiry. | 01/03/2022 |
| Points Awarded | The number of penalty points assigned for that specific offence. | 3 points |
| Date of Conviction | The date you were convicted of the offence (e.g., paid a fixed penalty or found guilty in court). | 15/04/2022 |
| Date Valid From | The date from which the points become active on your licence. Often the same as the conviction date. | 15/04/2022 |
| Date Points Expire | The date when the points cease to be ‘valid’ for counting towards a disqualification, typically 3 years from the offence date for most minor offences. | 01/03/2025 |
| Date Endorsement Runs | The date when the endorsement is completely removed from your driving record, typically 4 or 11 years from the date of the offence. | 01/03/2026 (for a 4-year endorsement) |
Checking by Post:
If you prefer not to use the online service, or if you encounter issues, you can request your driving licence information by post.
- Download Form D796: You’ll need to complete a ‘Subject Access Request (SAR)’ form, specifically form D796, which is available on the GOV.UK website.
- Complete the Form: Fill in all the required personal details accurately.
- Send it Off: Post the completed form to the address provided on the form.
- Wait for a Response: This method will naturally take longer, typically a few weeks, for the DVLA to process your request and mail you the documentation.
Understanding Your Endorsement Codes
When you check your licence, you’ll see letter and number combinations like “SP30” or “CU80.” These are endorsement codes, each representing a specific type of driving offence. Knowing what they mean helps you understand the nature of the infraction.
Here’s a table of some common endorsement codes and their general meanings:
| Endorsement Code | Offence Description | Points Range | Validity (Active for Totalling) | Validity (On Record) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CD10 | Driving without due care and attention | 3-9 | 3 years | 4 years |
| CD40 | Causing death by dangerous driving | 3-11 | 10 years | 11 years |
| CU80 | Using a mobile phone while driving (or similar communication device) | 6 | 3 years | 4 years |
| DD40 | Dangerous driving | 3-11 | 10 years | 11 years |
| DR10 | Driving or attempting to drive with alcohol level above limit | 3-11 | 10 years | 11 years |
| IN10 | Using a vehicle uninsured against third party risks | 6-8 | 3 years | 4 years |
| LC20 | Driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence | 3-6 | 3 years | 4 years |
| MS90 | Failure to give information as to identity of driver, etc | 6 | 3 years | 4 years |
| PC10 | Undercutting speed limit for type of vehicle | 3 | 3 years | 4 years |
| SP30 | Exceeding speed limit for type of vehicle | 3-6 | 3 years | 4 years |
| TS10 | Failing to comply with traffic light signals | 3 | 3 years | 4 years |
Note: This table provides common examples. For a full, definitive list and the exact points range for each offence, always refer to the official DVLA endorsement codes documentation on GOV.UK.
How Long Do Points Stay on Your Licence?
Understanding the duration of penalty points is often a point of confusion for drivers. It’s important to differentiate between how long points are “valid” for the purpose of a driving ban and how long they “remain on your record.”
- Most Common Offences (e.g., Speeding, Minor Traffic Violations): Points for offences like speeding (SP30), failing to comply with traffic signals (TS10), or using a mobile phone (CU80) are typically valid for 3 years from the date of the offence. This means they will count towards the 12-point disqualification threshold during this period. However, they will remain on your physical driving record for 4 years from the date of the offence. After 4 years, they are entirely removed.
- Serious Offences (e.g., Drink-Driving, Dangerous Driving): Points for more severe offences, such as drink-driving (DR10) or dangerous driving (DD40), are valid for 10 years from the date of the offence for the purpose of counting towards a ban. They will remain on your driving record for 11 years from the date of the offence.
Crucially, even after points are no longer valid for a ban, their presence on your record for the longer period can still be seen by insurance companies, potentially influencing your premiums.
The New Driver Rules: A Special Consideration
If you’re a new driver who passed your first driving test in Great Britain within the last two years, you are subject to the New Driver Act. This legislation means that if you accumulate 6 or more penalty points within this two-year probationary period, your driving licence will be revoked.
- This rule applies regardless of when the points were incurred (i.e., if you had points on a provisional licence that carried over, they count).
- If your licence is revoked, you’ll need to reapply for a provisional licence and retake both your theory and practical driving tests again to get your full licence back.
This makes checking your points even more critical for new drivers, as the threshold for severe consequences is significantly lower.
Consequences of Accumulating Points
Ignoring your driving record can lead to severe repercussions that extend far beyond a mere slap on the wrist.
- Soaring Insurance Premiums: This is often the most immediate and tangible consequence. Insurers view drivers with points as a higher risk, and they will adjust your premiums accordingly. The more points you have, and the more serious the offences, the more you can expect your insurance costs to rise – sometimes dramatically.
- Driving Disqualification (Ban):
- “Totting Up” Disqualification: For most drivers, accumulating 12 or more penalty points within a three-year period (measured from the date of offence to date of offence) will result in a minimum 6-month driving ban.
- Repeat Offenders: If you’ve been banned previously, the length of the new ban increases:
- Second disqualification within three years: Minimum 12-month ban.
- Third or subsequent disqualification within three years: Minimum 2-year ban.
- Direct Disqualification: For very serious offences (e.g., dangerous driving, specific drink or drug driving offences), a court can directly impose a driving ban, often in addition to penalty points or in lieu of them depending on the severity.
- Professional Impact: If driving is part of your job (e.g., HGV driver, taxi driver, delivery driver), accumulating points or facing a ban can directly jeopardise your livelihood. Many employers conduct licence checks and will not employ drivers with significant endorsements or recent disqualifications.
- Increased Scrutiny: Once you have points, you might find yourself under greater scrutiny from law enforcement, and future minor infractions could be viewed more seriously.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Driving Licence Points
Q1: Do penalty points affect my car insurance premiums? A: Yes, absolutely. Insurance companies assess your risk profile based on your driving history. Penalty points indicate a higher risk of future claims, leading to increased premiums. It’s crucial to declare any points to your insurer, as failure to do so could invalidate your policy.
Q2: Can I check someone else’s driving licence points? A: No, not without their explicit permission. Due to data protection and privacy laws, you can only check your own driving licence points. Employers, however, can check an employee’s driving record if the employee provides consent and a “check code” generated specifically for that purpose.
Q3: What should I do if I think my driving licence points are incorrect? A: If you believe there’s an error on your driving record, you should contact the DVLA directly. You’ll need to provide details of the specific discrepancy. If the points relate to a conviction you believe was wrong, you would generally need to appeal the conviction through the court system that imposed the points.
Q4: Do points disappear from my licence automatically after a certain time? A: Yes, points are automatically removed from your driving record after their specified duration (4 or 11 years from the date of the offence, depending on the offence type). You don’t need to do anything for them to be removed. However, they stop counting towards a ‘totting-up’ ban sooner (3 or 10 years).
Q5: Can I take a driving course to remove points from my licence? A: Generally, no. Once points are on your licence, they cannot be ‘removed’ by taking a course. Driving courses (like speed awareness courses) are typically offered by the police as an alternative to receiving penalty points for minor offences, meaning you take the course instead of getting points and a fine. If you accept the course, points are usually not applied in the first place.
Conclusion: Drive Responsibly, Stay Informed
Your driving licence is a valuable asset, and understanding your driving record is an integral part of responsible vehicle ownership. Regularly checking your driving licence points is a simple, yet powerful, habit that can help you avoid unwelcome surprises, manage your insurance costs, and most importantly, keep you safely and legally on the road.
Don’t let uncertainty dictate your driving future. Take control, stay informed, and commit to driving safely.
Check your driving licence points today – it’s quick, free, and vital for your peace of mind!