Getting points on your driving licence can happen easily, especially if you are a new or inexperienced driver. We all make mistakes on the road from time to time, but some errors are considered more serious than others. If you commit a traffic offence, you run the risk of getting penalty points on your licence (also known as endorsement codes or penalty codes). The number of points depends on the severity of the offence.
So how long do points stay on your driving licence? The duration points remain on your record depends on a few factors, primarily the type and quantity of points. Generally speaking, points from fixed penalties, speeding fines, or court convictions stay on your licence for 4-11 years. However, newer drivers are subject to the New Drivers Act, which means points stay on their licences for 4-5 years only.
Having points on your licence not only serves as a warning and record of the offence, but also impacts your ability to drive. Accumulating 12 or more points within a 3-year period can result in disqualification and having your licence revoked. The courts have discretion to ban drivers from driving if they believe you are unfit to be on the road, even if you have received less than 12 points. Points are also taken into consideration by insurance providers, often resulting in higher premiums and policy refusals.
Understanding how long penalty points stay on your licence is important. This guide examines how long points stay valid, how points tot up, periods of disqualification, impact on your insurance, and steps you can take if you want to reduce your points.
How Long do Penalty Points Stay on Your Driving Licence?
The length of time endorsement codes remain on your driving record depends primarily on two factors:
– Type of offence – Some offences result in penalties that stay on your licence longer than others. Generally, more severe driving crimes carry longer lengths of validity.
– Number of existing points – Drivers that already have points on their licence will need to wait longer periods for endorsements to expire. This serves as an additional deterrent to further offences.
The following are typical timeframes for how long points stay valid on your record:
Fixed Penalties and SP30 Speeding Offences
– 3-6 penalty points – Valid for 4 years from date of offence
– 7-9 penalty points – Valid for 5 years from date of offence
– 10+ penalty points – Valid for 11 years from date of offence
Fixed penalties are sanctions that allow drivers to take a fine and points rather than go to court. This includes offences like using a mobile phone while driving, running a red light, and basic speeding tickets.
SP30 speeding fines are the standard punishment for breaking speed limits, usually detected by speed cameras. They carry 3 points and a £100 fine, valid for 4 years.
Court Convictions
If an offence goes to court rather than taking a fixed penalty, endorsement codes and disqualifications decided by the court stay on longer:
– 3-9 penalty points – Valid for 4 years from date of conviction
– 10+ penalty points – Valid for 11 years from date of conviction
Going to court means the offence is more serious and requires lengthier punishment. Even after a ban from driving is lifted, the court-imposed points will show on your licence for years.
New Drivers
The New Drivers Act affects all newly qualified drivers in the first 2 years of passing their test. Points stay on their licences for shorter timeframes:
– 3-6 penalty points – Valid for 4 years from date of offence
– 7-9 penalty points – Valid for 4 years from date of offence
– 10+ penalty points – Valid for 5 years from date of offence
This law provides newer motorists a probationary period to develop better driving skills. Their endorsements stay on record for 4-5 years only before expiring.
How Points Tot Up
Each traffic offence carries a specific number of penalty points. The courts follow established guidelines that dictate how many points correspond to each violation. For example:
– Running a red light = 3 points
-Using a handheld mobile phone while driving = 6 points
-Exceeding motorway speed limits = 3-9 points
Points for multiple offences add up over time. Your licence summary shows current endorsements plus the expiration dates when they will be removed from your driving record.
There are restrictions in place to prevent endless points accumulating. Once you reach 12 or more points within 3 years, you face a minimum 6 month driving disqualification (ban). Points earned outside the 3-year window are still visible on your licence summary, but only the most recent points determine if you hit the 12-point threshold.
For new drivers under the New Drivers Act, the totting up limit is lower. They face potential disqualification if they build up 6 or more points within 2 years of passing their test.
When Points Expire
Penalty points eventually expire once the allotted period has passed. Typically endorsement codes disappear 3 years from the date of conviction for fixed penalties and speeding fines. For more serious court convictions, removal can take up to 11 years.
When points are expiring off your licence, you are not notified. You simply have to check your licence summary periodically to see your latest standing. Once expired, endorsements are not removed completely – they remain on your full driver record indefinitely but no longer count as active points. This record is only available to certain organizations like the DVLA.
Disqualification Periods
Totting up 12 points or more within 3 years leads to a ban and disqualification of driving privileges. However, the courts have discretion to invoke driving bans even if your points are under 12. Typically, the following disqualification periods apply:
– 6 months – For new drivers reaching 6 points; experienced drivers reaching 12 points
– 1 year – If you have previously been banned from driving within the past 3 years
– 2 years – If you seriously endangered lives through reckless/dangerous driving
– 3 years – If convicted of causing death by dangerous or careless driving
After a disqualification is over and your driving privileges are restored, any remaining points go back onto your licence. They continue counting down from their original expiry dates.
However, courts occasionally order longer discretionary bans in addition to existing endorsements. In those scenarios, remaining points are erased and your record starts afresh when your disqualification ends.
Impact on Car Insurance
Points on your driving licence influence your future car insurance premiums. Insurers view you as a higher risk driver with points on your record, meaning you pay more for coverage. Each company calculates risk differently, but generally:
– 3 points – Minor impact on premiums
– 6 points – Adds around 10% to insurance costs
– 9+ points – Adds around 20% or more; policies may be refused
Points for serious violations like drink driving carry greater insurance penalties. Insurance prices increase proportionately as more points accumulate.
When points expire, your premiums should start to decrease again at renewal. However, some insurers factor in full driver histories, not just current points. Shopping around annually may help find cheaper coverage as your points fade.
Declaring Points
You must declare any endorsements and convictions when applying for or renewing insurance. Withholding information about points is fraudulent activity. If discovered later, your policy becomes invalid.
Insurers routinely cross-check driver records using industry databases. Failing to disclose endorsements often backfires when the insurer uncovers your full history. Taking steps to remove expired points can help minimize unnecessary premiums in the future.
Removing Points from Your Licence
Other than waiting for points to expire naturally, there are a few ways you may be able to get endorsements deleted early or reduced:
Complete a driver improvement course – Courses focusing on improving motoring skills and knowledge can potentially remove points. This depends on the offence and requires DVLA approval.
Submit a ‘notice of intended prosecution’ (NIP) dispute – If you believe an endorsable offence was applied incorrectly or unfairly, submitting an NIP dispute challenges it. Success removes associated points.
Submit a statutory declaration – Arguing exceptional circumstances like a medical emergency can sometimes reduce points with a sworn statement. Strict criteria apply.
Prove mistaken identity – If you receive notice of an endorsement for an offence committed by someone else, proving it was not you in control of the vehicle removes the points.
Appeal the conviction – You can appeal the magistrate court’s ruling if you believe it was unjust or disproportionate. Wins remove related points.
However, points removal is not guaranteed under any circumstances. The processes for getting endorsements deleted early are strictly controlled. For the best chances of succeeding, seek legal assistance when submitting disputes or appeals.
Checking Your Licence Summary
You can check your current licence summary online via the View Driving Licence service. This shows:
– All valid endorsements plus expiry dates
– Any active disqualifications
– Licence status and validity
This service lets you track penalties to understand how many points you have left until hitting the disqualification threshold. Check regularly after offences to stay aware of your driving record.
Your full driver history record is also available by submitting a Subject Access Request to the DVLA. This contains complete information about all past and expired endorsements. Access helps assure insurers when expired points increase your premiums.
Avoiding Points with Careful Driving
The simplest way to avoid points clinging to your licence is through careful, responsible driving. While mistakes happen, you can minimize risk by:
– Obeying all speed limits and traffic laws
– Eliminating distractions like phones while driving
– Staying concentrated at all times and anticipating hazards
– Practicing defensive techniques
– Allowing plenty of time to react and arrive safely
– Taking regular breaks on long journeys
Remember, penalties exist to correct dangerous behaviours and make roads safer. Becoming a cautious, conscientious motorist means you are less likely to collect endorsements.
Using Legal Representation
Seeking professional legal help maximizes your chances of avoiding endorsements or removing points from your licence. Solicitors can provide assistance with:
– Challenging unfair NIPs within strict deadlines
– Preparing convincing statutory declarations
– Submitting appeals against convictions
– Presenting arguments at court hearings
– Negotiating alternative penalties like fines instead of points
Their expertise navigating driving offence procedures helps defend your licence from unnecessary endorsements. Legal advice is recommended before trying to dispute any points.
Conclusion
Points on your driving licence expire naturally after set timeframes ranging from 4-11 years in most cases. Their impact on insurance premiums fades as endorsements disappear from your record over time. However, even expired points appear permanently on full driving histories, so may continue affecting some insurers’ decisions and prices. Checking your licence summary frequently helps you monitor current points you need to declare and informs your insurance options. Most importantly, driving with care and awareness every trip can help avoid collecting penalty points and endorsements altogether.