Penalty points (endorsements)
1. Overview
The courts can fine you and ‘endorse’ your driving licence with penalty points if you're convicted of a motoring offence.
Endorsements must stay on your driving licence for 4 or 11 years, depending on the offence.
The endorsement (and penalty points) is put on your driver record and is written on the counterpart document of your photocard driving licence or on your paper driving licence.
You can be disqualified from driving if you build up 12 or more penalty points within a period of 3 years. There are different rules for new drivers.
2. Endorsement codes and penalty points
Each endorsement has a special code and is given 'penalty points' on a scale from 1 to 11. You get more points for more serious offences.
The table shows the offence codes that can be put on your driving licence. It also shows how many penalty points you can get for them. Some offences may also involve a disqualification.
Offence codes and penalty points must stay on your driving licence for 4 or 11 years depending on the offence.
Accident offences
These codes must stay on a driving licence for 4 years from the date of the offence.
| Code | Offence | Penalty points |
|---|---|---|
| AC10 | Failing to stop after an accident | 5 to 10 |
| AC20 | Failing to give particulars or report an accident within 24 hours | 5 to 10 |
| AC30 | Undefined accident offences | 4 to 9 |
Disqualified driver
These codes must stay on a driving licence for 4 years from the date of the offence.
| Code | Offence | Penalty points |
|---|---|---|
| BA10 | Driving while disqualified by order of court | 6 |
| BA30 | Attempting to drive while disqualified by order of court | 6 |
Careless driving
Codes CD10 to CD30 must stay on a driving licence for 4 years from the date of the offence.
| Code | Offence | Penalty points |
|---|---|---|
| CD10 | Driving without due care and attention | 3 to 9 |
| CD20 | Driving without reasonable consideration for other road users | 3 to 9 |
| CD30 | Driving without due care and attention or without reasonable consideration for other road users | 3 to 9 |
Codes CD40 to CD70 must stay on a driving licence for 11 years from the date of the conviction.
| Code | Offence | Penalty points |
|---|---|---|
| CD40 | Causing death through careless driving when unfit through drink | 3 to 11 |
| CD50 | Causing death by careless driving when unfit through drugs | 3 to 11 |
| CD60 | Causing death by careless driving with alcohol level above the limit | 3 to 11 |
| CD70 | Causing death by careless driving then failing to supply a specimen for alcohol analysis | 3 to 11 |
Codes CD80 and CD90 must stay on a driving licence for 4 years from the date of the conviction.
| Code | Offence | Penalty points |
|---|---|---|
| CD80 | Causing death by careless, or inconsiderate, driving | 3 to 11 |
| CD90 | Causing death by driving: unlicensed, disqualified or uninsured drivers | 3 to 11 |
Construction and use offences
These codes must stay on a driving licence for 4 years from the date of the offence.
| Code | Offence | Penalty points |
|---|---|---|
| CU10 | Using a vehicle with defective brakes | 3 |
| CU20 | Causing or likely to cause danger by reason of use of unsuitable vehicle or using a vehicle with parts or accessories (excluding brakes, steering or tyres) in a dangerous condition | 3 |
| CU30 | Using a vehicle with defective tyre(s) | 3 |
| CU40 | Using a vehicle with defective steering | 3 |
| CU50 | Causing or likely to cause danger by reason of load or passengers | 3 |
| CU80 | Breach of requirements as to control of the vehicle, mobile telephone etc | 3 |
Reckless/dangerous driving
These codes must stay on a driving licence for 4 years from the date of the conviction.
| Code | Offence | Penalty points |
|---|---|---|
| DD10 | Causing serious injury by dangerous driving | 3 to 11 |
| DD40 | Dangerous driving | 3 to 11 |
| DD60 | Manslaughter or culpable homicide while driving a vehicle | 3 to 11 |
| DD80 | Causing death by dangerous driving | 3 to 11 |
| DD90 | Furious driving | 3 to 9 |
Drink or drugs
Codes DR10 to DR30 must stay on a driving licence for 11 years from the date of the conviction.
| Code | Offence | Penalty points |
|---|---|---|
| DR10 | Driving or attempting to drive with alcohol level above limit | 3 to 11 |
| DR20 | Driving or attempting to drive while unfit through drink | 3 to 11 |
| DR30 | Driving or attempting to drive then failing to supply a specimen for analysis | 3 to 11 |
| DR31 | Driving or attempting to drive then refusing to give permission for analysis of a blood sample that was taken without consent due to incapacity | 3 to 11 |
| DR61 | Refusing to give permission for analysis of a blood sample that was taken without consent due to incapacity in circumstances other than driving or attempting to drive | 10 |
Codes DR40 to DR70 must stay on a driving licence for 4 years from the date of the offence.
| Code | Offence | Penalty points |
|---|---|---|
| DR40 | In charge of a vehicle while alcohol level above limit | 10 |
| DR50 | In charge of a vehicle while unfit through drink | 10 |
| DR60 | Failure to provide a specimen for analysis in circumstances other than driving or attempting to drive | 10 |
| DR70 | Failing to provide specimen for breath test | 4 |
Code DR80 must stay on a driving licence for 11 years from the date of the conviction.
| Code | Offence | Penalty points |
|---|---|---|
| DR80 | Driving or attempting to drive when unfit through drugs | 3 to 11 |
Code DR90 must stay on a driving licence for 4 years from the date of the offence.
| Code | Offence | Penalty points |
|---|---|---|
| DR90 | In charge of a vehicle when unfit through drugs | 10 |
Insurance offences
Code IN10 must stay on a driving licence for 4 years from the date of the offence.
| Code | Offence | Penalty points |
|---|---|---|
| IN10 | Using a vehicle uninsured against third party risks | 6 to 8 |
Licence offences
These codes must stay on a driving licence for 4 years from the date of the offence.
| Code | Offence | Penalty points |
|---|---|---|
| LC20 | Driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence | 3 to 6 |
| LC30 | Driving after making a false declaration about fitness when applying for a licence | 3 to 6 |
| LC40 | Driving a vehicle having failed to notify a disability | 3 to 6 |
| LC50 | Driving after a licence has been revoked or refused on medical grounds | 3 to 6 |
Miscellaneous offences
These codes must stay on a driving licence for 4 years from the date of the offence.
| Code | Offence | Penalty points |
|---|---|---|
| MS10 | Leaving a vehicle in a dangerous position | 3 |
| MS20 | Unlawful pillion riding | 3 |
| MS30 | Play street offences | 2 |
| MS50 | Motor racing on the highway | 3 to 11 |
| MS60 | Offences not covered by other codes (including offences relating to breach of requirements as to control of vehicle) | 3 |
| MS70 | Driving with uncorrected defective eyesight | 3 |
| MS80 | Refusing to submit to an eyesight test | 3 |
| MS90 | Failure to give information as to identity of driver etc | 6 |
Motorway offences
Code MW10 must stay on a driving licence for 4 years from the date of the offence.
| Code | Offence | Penalty points |
|---|---|---|
| MW10 | Contravention of special roads regulations (excluding speed limits) | 3 |
Pedestrian crossings
These codes must stay on a driving licence for 4 years from the date of the offence.
| Code | Offence | Penalty points |
|---|---|---|
| PC10 | Undefined contravention of pedestrian crossing regulations | 3 |
| PC20 | Contravention of pedestrian crossing regulations with moving vehicle | 3 |
| PC30 | Contravention of pedestrian crossing regulations with stationary vehicle | 3 |
Speed limits
These codes must stay on a driving licence for 4 years from the date of the offence.
| Code | Offence | Penalty points |
|---|---|---|
| SP10 | Exceeding goods vehicle speed limits | 3 to 6 |
| SP20 | Exceeding speed limit for type of vehicle (excluding goods or passenger vehicles) | 3 to 6 |
| SP30 | Exceeding statutory speed limit on a public road | 3 to 6 |
| SP40 | Exceeding passenger vehicle speed limit | 3 to 6 |
| SP50 | Exceeding speed limit on a motorway | 3 to 6 |
Traffic direction and signs
These codes must stay on a driving licence for 4 years from the date of the offence.
| Code | Offence | Penalty points |
|---|---|---|
| TS10 | Failing to comply with traffic light signals | 3 |
| TS20 | Failing to comply with double white lines | 3 |
| TS30 | Failing to comply with ‘stop’ sign | 3 |
| TS40 | Failing to comply with direction of a constable/warden | 3 |
| TS50 | Failing to comply with traffic sign (excluding ‘stop’ signs, traffic lights or double white lines) | 3 |
| TS60 | Failing to comply with a school crossing patrol sign | 3 |
| TS70 | Undefined failure to comply with a traffic direction sign | 3 |
Special code
Code TT99 must stay on a driving licence for 4 years from the date of conviction.
It shows disqualification under ‘totting-up’ - if the total of penalty points reaches 12 or more within 3 years, the driver can be disqualified.
Theft or unauthorised taking
Code UT50 must stay on a driving licence for 4 years from the date of the offence.
| Code | Offence | Penalty points |
|---|---|---|
| UT50 | Aggravated taking of a vehicle | 3 to 11 |
‘Mutual recognition’ codes
You’ll get an ‘MR’ code on your licence if you’re disqualified while driving in Northern Ireland, Isle of Man or the Republic of Ireland. Your disqualification period will also be valid in GB and will stay on your licence for 4 years from the date of conviction.
| Code | Offence |
|---|---|
| MR09 | Reckless or dangerous driving (whether or not resulting in death, injury or serious risk) |
| MR19 | Wilful failure to carry out the obligation placed on driver after being involved in a road accident (hit or run) |
| MR29 | Driving a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or other substance affecting or diminishing the mental and physical abilities of a driver |
| MR39 | Driving a vehicle faster than the permitted speed |
| MR49 | Driving a vehicle whilst disqualified |
| MR59 | Other conduct constituting an offence for which a driving disqualification has been imposed by the State of Offence |
Aiding, abetting, counselling or procuring offences
For these offences, the codes are similar, but with the number 0 on the code changed to 2.
For example, code LC20 (driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence) becomes code LC22 on your licence if you have helped someone to do this.
Causing or permitting offences
For these offences, the codes are similar, but with the number 0 on the code changed to 4.
For example, LC20 (driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence) becomes LC24 on your licence if you’ve caused or permitted someone to do this.
Inciting offences
For these offences, the codes are similar, but with the number 0 on the code changed to 6.
For example, DD40 (dangerous driving) becomes DD46 on your licence if you’ve incited someone to do this.
3. How long endorsements stay on your driving licence
An endorsement must stay on your driving licence for at least 4 years from either the date of conviction or the date of the offence.
4 years from date of conviction
An endorsement will stay on a licence for 4 years from the date of conviction if the offence:
- is for reckless/dangerous driving - shown on the licence as DD40, DD60 and DD80
- results in disqualification
Example
Date of conviction 28 May 2011 - the endorsement must stay on the licence until 28 May 2015.
4 years from the date of offence
In all other cases endorsements stay on your licence for 4 years from the date of offence.
Example
Date of offence 10 June 2012 - the endorsement must stay on the licence until 10 June 2016.
11 years from date of conviction
If the offence is:
- drink driving or drug driving - shown on the licence as DR10, DR20, DR30, DR31, DR61 and DR80
- causing death by careless driving while under the influence of drink or drugs  shown on the licence as CD40, CD50 and CD60
- causing death by careless driving, then failing to provide a specimen for analysis  shown on the licence as CD70
Example
Date of conviction 3 December 2009 - the endorsement must stay on the licence until 3 December 2020.
4. New drivers
Your licence will be revoked if you get 6 or more points within 2 years of passing your test.
Points on your provisional licence
Any penalty points on your provisional licence that haven’t expired will be carried over to your full licence when you pass your test. However, your licence will be revoked if you get any further penalty points that take you up to a total of 6 or more within 2 years of passing your driving test.
If your licence is revoked within 2 years
You'll have to apply and pay for a new provisional licence and pass both theory and practical parts of the driving or riding test again to get a full licence.
Who's covered by the rules
These rules apply to all new drivers who passed their first driving test in:
- Great Britain
- Northern Ireland
- Isle of Man
- Channel Islands
- Gibraltar
- the European Community (EC) and European Economic Area (EEA)
The EC/EEA countries are:
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Republic of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Slovakia, Spain and Sweden.
There isn't another 2 year period if you pass a test for another category of vehicle, eg to drive a heavy goods vehicle.
Foreign licences
The rules also apply if you exchange a foreign driving licence for a British licence and then pass a further driving test in Great Britain.
5. Handing over your driving licence for endorsement
If you get an endorsement you'll need to hand over your licence to either the police, a fixed penalty office (FPO) or when you appear in court.
You'll need to get a replacement if you've lost your licence.
If your driving licence is not returned after being endorsed, you'll need to contact the FPO or court responsible for endorsing your driving licence.
If you've changed address, or your licence is damaged or the endorsement area is full, the FPO or court will send your driving licence to DVLA to be updated. It will be returned to you within 3 weeks.
6. Removing expired endorsements from your driving licence
To remove expired endorsements from your driving licence, you'll need to apply by post to exchange your licence for a new one.
Photocard driving licences
For a car or motorbike licence, complete form D1 (‘Application for a driving licence’), available from the DVLA form ordering service or most Post Offices.
For a lorry or bus licence, complete form D2 (‘Application for a lorry/bus licence’), available from the DVLA form ordering service.
You’ll also need to:
- enclose your photocard driving licence and paper counterpart
- enclose a cheque or postal order for £20 payable to DVLA (do not send cash)
If your name has changed you’ll also need to provide original documentation confirming your new name.
Send your application and all documents to:
DVLA
Swansea
SA99 1BU
Paper driving licences
For car or motorbike licences, complete form D1 (‘Application for a driving licence’), available from the DVLA form ordering service or most Post Offices.
For lorry or bus licences, complete form D2 (‘Application for a lorry/bus licence’), available from the DVLA form ordering service.
You’ll also need to:
- provide original documentation confirming your identity
- enclose a passport type photograph and your paper driving licence
- enclose a cheque or postal order for £20 payable to DVLA (do not send cash)
Send all your documents to DVLA.
DVLA
Swansea
SA99 1BU
When to expect your new licence
Your new licence should come within 3 weeks of your application being received.
It will take longer if your health and personal details have to be checked. Allow at least 3 weeks for your driving licence to arrive before contacting DVLA.
7. How to check your endorsement details
Your endorsements will be shown on the paper counterpart of your photocard licence or on your old style paper driving licence.
If you've lost your licence and need to check your endorsements you can check your endorsement details online if you applied for your licence online.
You can also find out by phoning DVLA.
DVLA customer enquiries
Telephone: 0300 790 6801
Textphone: 0300 123 1278
Find out about call charges
Incorrect endorsement details on your licence
Contact the court that convicted if your endorsement details are shown incorrectly on your driving licence.