How long do points stay on your license?
Penalty points are one of the most common punishments for breaking driving laws in the UK – but how long do they stay on your license?
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What are penalty points?
Penalty points are given out to drivers that break UK driving laws. Too many can mean your license is suspended.
You can get points on your licence for things like breaking the speed limit or running a red light, and you can only get up to 12 in three years before you’re disqualified from driving for up to three years.
New drivers must stay below six points for the first two years they’re on the road.
It’s easy to avoid getting penalty points if you follow the rules, and they will eventually be removed from your license. )
How long do points stay on your license UK?
Points stay on your license for four years from the date they’re added, or they date you’re convicted, for most offences.
The offence itself will remain on your driving record for four or 11 years, depending on the severity.
How do I find out how many points are on my license?
You can view your driving license record to see how many points are on your license using the online government portal.
Simply put in your driving license number, National Insurance number, and the postcode on your driving license to see your record.
What do you get points on your license for in the UK?
In the UK, you can be given driving license points for things like:
Going over the speed limit – two points
Driving or attempting to drive while over the alcohol limit – three to 11 points
Not following traffic light signalling – three points
Driving without due care and attention – three to nine points
Using a phone while driving – six points
How do I get rid of penalty points?
If you’ve committed a driving offense, there’s no way to remove those points from your license. You’ll just have to wait it out.
If you think there’s been a mistake, you can appeal the decision and see if the points can be removed.
You might also be able to opt for a speed awareness course instead of points if you’ve been handed a penalty for speeding.
Just as long as you haven’t been on the course in the last three years and were caught speeding between 10% plus 2mph and 10% plus 9mph over the speed limit.
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Can I appeal points on my license?
Yes, you can appeal penalty points on your license in the UK.
You might choose to do this if you weren’t the driver of the vehicle in question, didn’t receive the initial notice in time, or believe there might be another issue like a faulty speed camera.
Appealing a driving offence typically means you’ll go to court, and this can mean more consequences than the original penalty.
If the court still finds you guilty, it could hand you more penalty points, increase the fine, or charge you for the court costs.
Can you pay to remove points from your license?
No, you can’t pay to remove penalty points from your license in the UK.
Even if you have a fine to pay alongside your penalty points, you’ll still have the points on your license. You’re not paying to remove the points – the fine and points come hand in hand.
How to avoid points on a driving license
The only way to avoid points on your license is to follow the rules of the roads.
Make sure you’re up to speed on the laws and legislations of driving in the UK, and brush up on your highway code as well.
If you’ve been caught going over the speed limit and are offered a speed awareness course, this can also help you dodge points.
Appealing your points (for example, if you weren’t the driving the car when the offence was committed or didn’t get the initial notice through in time) could also help you avoid points on your licence.
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Frequently asked questions about penalty points
Do points on your license affect insurance?
Having points on your license typically means your insurance will be more expensive.
The amount it jumps up will depend on a few things, like the number of driving offenses and the nature of them – so it’s best to get a quote.
Do you have to declare points after five years?
Under the Road Traffic Act 1998, points are typically considered ‘spent’ after five years. This means insurers can’t legally increase your insurance premium because of them after this time.
How many points before a driving ban?
You’ll be hit with a driving ban if you reach 12 points on your license within three years.
Can I drive with 12 points on my license?
Not typically, no. Usually you’re hit with an immediate and automatic driving ban once you hit 12 points.
Points are wiped from your record after four years, so you can get 12 points across your lifetime if they're at four-year intervals (but you shouldn't try to!).
What happens if I get 12 points on my license?
You can be imposed with an automatic driving ban for a minimum of six months.
Can you get points on your license in a foreign country?
Currently, driving offences in another country won’t usually mean a transfer of points to your UK license.
It’s still worth double-checking this for the exact country you’re driving in, and you should always be driving within the law wherever you are.