How do I check my driving licence points?
Want to check if your licence is still clean, or how long you’ve held points for? Our guide tells you everything you need to know...
The thought of certain experiences in life can bring on a gut-wretching feeling: knowing that you're going to miss a flight, realising you've locked yourself out — or opening a letter from the DVLA informing you that you’ve been caught speeding.
Unfortunately, it’s all too common here in Britain. In 2024, an estimated 205,000 drivers were caught (as per GOV.UK) over the speed limit. Worse still, recent estimates suggest over three million drivers already have at least three penalty points to their name – that’s just under seven percent of all UK licence holders.
If you're one of them, you may be wondering: “how exactly do I do a driving licence points check?” In this guide, we’ll explain everything you need to know about the topic, and branching off into linked subjects like speed awareness courses, how speeding points work and when points will clear from your license.
What are driving licence points?
Driving licence points are penalty points assigned to a driver’s licence when they've been caught doing something they shouldn't. Such examples could include skipping a red light, driving without car insurance, using a mobile phone or being caught drink driving.
The most common cause is speeding, and depending on exactly how fast the you were driving at the time of being caught, you could be given a minimum of three points to a maximum penalty of losing your licence, having a hefty fine issued, and, in circumstances where injury may have been caused, a prison sentence.
A maximum of 12 points can be accumulated at any given time, but if you pick up any more than this within a three-year period, you’ll have to forfeit your licence for at least six months, after which you can apply for a new licence and retake your test. But if you can avoid such a situation, the points will clear from your record after a given period of time – that’s normally four years for most ‘minor’ offences, or up to 11 years for more serious ones.
It’s also worth noting that new drivers cannot pick up more than six points within the first two years of getting their licence, because doing so means the licence is immediately revoked.
What are examples of driving offences that could get me points?
The below table provides examples of driving offences that could lead to you being penalised. Please note: this excludes any monetary fine that could be issued, too.
Offence | Points |
|---|---|
| Speeding Band A (1-10mph over) | 3 points |
| Speeding Band B (11-21mph over) | 4-6 points |
| Speeding Band C (21mph or more over) | 6 points (+) |
| Skipping traffic lights | 3 points |
| Defective parts (tyres, brakes etc) | 3 points (per defect) |
| Dangerous driving | 3-11 points |
| Drink/drug driving | 3-11 points |
| Failing to stop after an accident | 5-10 points |
| Using a mobile phone | 6 points |
| Uninsured driving | 6 points |
| Driving while disqualified | 6 points |
How do I check if I have points on my licence?
You can do this easily using the View Driving Licence section of the GOV.UK website, which is a free of charge service. This website can also be used to generate a licence check code, which is a summary of your active licence, and can be shared easily if needed.
Before checking, you’ll need to have a few details to hand:
- Your driving licence number
- Your National Insurance number
- Your postcode
Once you’ve entered your details and gone through to the main website, you can navigate to the “penalties and disqualifications” tab to see how many points you currently have.
Alternatively, you can also call the DVLA directly to check, or contact them via post to request your record, though response times for either of these will be longer. As such, it is advised to stick with the digital method.
How long do three points take to come off your licence?
Three points are handed out for minor offences (such as low tier speeding), and will be active on your licence for three years from the date of issue. During this time, it will count towards a driving ban if you amass 12 points. After this, it will no longer be active, but will continue to show on your licence for anywhere between one and eight years before being wiped from your record. This will be determined by the severity of the offence.
What happens if I have 12 points on my licence?
If you have 12 (or more) points on your licence, you will be immediately banned from driving for at least six months. You may also be summoned to a Magistrates’ Court, where you could be given an even lengthier ban, depending on your offence frequency and history.
For repeat offenders, accumulating the full 12 points again within three years normally means a minimum driving ban of 12 months — although quirks of the law means that some drivers have more points than this.
For those who rack up a full set three times within three years? That’ll be two years of no driving.
Do I have to inform my insurance if I get points?
By law, you are required to tell your car insurance company if you have been given any penalty points at once, and not just during renewal. The same applies if you’re switching to a new insurance company, and you must inform it of any and every active points you currently have. Failure to do so could lead to invalidated insurance, alternative insurers refusing you cover, and even fraud charges.
Will points impact my insurance premium?
Yes, and sometimes quite severely. Research shows three active penalty points hikes up an insurance premium by around 16%, while six points could see an increase of as much as 30%. With nine points, expect to see a rise of between 45% and 75%, while 12 points means you will find it almost impossible to get insured.
What happens if I get caught speeding in another country?
Though you most likely won’t receive penalty points on your UK licence, you will be sent a fine to your UK home address, since most countries exchange shared driver information between them. Ignoring it could lead to an even larger fine or legal action. So as a general rule of thumb, remember that it’s best to pay as soon as you’re made aware of the offence.
What is a speed awareness course?
Provided your speed did not exceed a specific boundary (up to 10% + 9mph over the limit of that road), you could be given the chance to sit through a speed awareness course as opposed to picking up points and a fine. It costs about £100 to take, and lasts between three and four hours, with the aim being to highlight the dangers of speeding in a bid to change driving habits.
You will only be offered this course once every three years, and provided you have zero points to your licence. So if you’ve got a clean licence but took a speed awareness course two years ago, you will not be given the option to do so, and must accept the points and fine. Alternatively, if you've got a clean licence, and took your last speed awareness course over three years ago, you will be given the chance to do so if you meet the speed threshold criteria.
Read more: Speeding fines, tickets and penalties guide
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FAQs
You can use this government website to check how many active points you have. It can also be used to generate a licence ‘check code’, which is a summary of your driving record.
This would be a direct breach of the Road Traffic Act 1998, meaning your insurance could be voided, other insurers could refuse you, and your car could even be seized by the police.
Points will no longer be active or ‘totted up’ after three years, but they will remain on your driving record for between four and 11 years after the date issued.
