Understanding points on a licence

What are driving licence points?

Points on your driving licence, officially called penalty points, are added by the courts or police when you’re convicted of certain motoring offences, such as:

• Speeding
• Using a mobile phone while driving
• Driving uninsured

These driving licence points are recorded against your driving record and count towards any other offences you’ve committed. The number of points you receive varies depending on the severity of the offence. Most minor offences attract 3–6 points, while more serious ones can result in up to 11 points.

If you accumulate 12 or more penalty points within three years, the court will normally disqualify you from driving. For new drivers, if you accumulate six points within the first two years of passing your test, your licence will be revoked, and you’ll need to retake both your theory and practical tests.

Common reasons you can get points on a licence

Penalty points are designed to encourage safer driving and act as a warning system before more serious consequences (such as a driving ban) are introduced. Here are some of the more common reasons why drivers are given penalty points:

Speeding offences

One of the most common reasons drivers receive driving licence points is speeding. Whether you exceed the limit on a motorway, drive too fast through roadworks or ignore a temporary restriction, speeding offences typically result in three to six points on a licence. In more serious cases (such as excessive speeding) you could receive more points or even face disqualification altogether.

Using a mobile phone whilst driving

Holding and using a phone for calls, texts, social media or navigation (unless fully hands-free and legally compliant) will usually result in six driving licence points and a fine.

Not following traffic lights and road signs

Failing to stop at a red light, ignoring road markings and signs, or not following a police officer directing traffic can all lead to three points on a licence and a fine.

Careless or dangerous driving

More serious offences include careless or dangerous driving. Careless driving, sometimes referred to as driving without due care and attention, is when drivers do not drive sensibly on the road, including tailgating, poor lane discipline or driving while distracted.

Dangerous driving is any kind of driving that endangers the driver or any other road users or pedestrians. Examples of dangerous driving may include aggressive driving or driving while impaired (for example due to alcohol, drugs or overtiredness). Depending on the severity, these offences can result in between three and eleven driving licence points, or even an immediate driving ban.

Drink or drug driving

Driving over the legal alcohol limit, being unfit to drive through drugs, or refusing to provide a breath, blood, or urine sample when requested by authorities can lead to up to eleven points. However, these offences often result in an automatic disqualification instead of points alone as this is treated as a serious criminal offence under the Road Safety Act 1988.

In addition to penalty points and potential licence ban, serious convictions like drink or drug driving can significantly increase insurance premiums and remain on your record for many years.

Driving without required documentation

You can also receive points for driving without the correct documentation, such as:

• Driving without car insurance – You must be insured on the vehicle you are driving, regardless of whether you have insurance on another vehicle
• Driving without a licence – If you are caught driving without a licence, this can still impact you when you do obtain a licence. For example, if you get 3 points that you have against your name for 4 years, then apply for a licence – this will be shown. However, if you obtain that licence 5 years after the offence, the points will no longer show.
• Allowing someone else to drive your vehicle uninsured can result in six to eight driving licence points. You are liable to whoever is driving your vehicle, so make sure you add them as a named driver to your insurance

Even if your vehicle has issues, such as defective tyres or faulty brakes, can lead to points if your car is identified as unsafe. Points can be added per car issue, so if you have issues with your tyres and brakes, then you can be given three points each, meaning a total of six.

How are points on a licence different in the first 2 years of driving?

The rules around points on a licence are much stricter during your first two years of driving. This period is covered by the New Drivers Act, which places tighter limits on newly qualified drivers to encourage safer driving habits and reduce risk on the roads.

The 6-point rule for new drivers

If you receive 6 or more driving licence points during this probationary period, your licence will be revoked. This is not the same as a short ban; your licence is cancelled completely. It doesn’t matter whether the points come from a single offence or multiple smaller offences. Once you have six points on your licence, your licence will be revoked, and you will have to redo your tests to get a licence again.

What happens if your licence is revoked?

If you reach six points in your first two years of driving, your full driving licence will be cancelled under the New Drivers Act. You’ll need to apply for a new provisional licence and retake both your theory and practical driving tests before you can drive again.

Importantly, your driving licence points do not disappear after; they remain on your record for their normal duration, meaning they can still count towards future penalties and cause higher insurance quotes.

How many points do I have on my licence?

If you’re unsure about how many points you have on your licence, if any, then you can check online on the GOV.uk website. It is important to understand how you can get points and how to check your record.

Supporting newly qualified drivers

At RED, we support those who are learning to drive, but also those who have just passed and are new to the road. There is still lots to learn about being behind the wheel, and our Newly Qualified Driver app provides a range of helpful resources and further information to help you become a confident driver.

Download our RED app today and continue learning.