The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) has published a list of 23 motoring offences that can result in penalty points being added to a driving licence. These range from speeding and defective tyres to dangerous driving and failing to report an accident.
How points can lead to a ban
Under UK law, drivers who accumulate 12 or more penalty points within a three-year period face an automatic driving ban under the "totting-up" procedure, usually lasting at least six months. New drivers face stricter rules: accumulating six or more points within two years of passing their test results in their licence being revoked automatically.
Penalty points range from 1 to 11 points per offence, depending on severity. The DVLA groups these offences into seven main categories.
Categories of offences
1. Careless and Dangerous Driving (CD & DD Codes)
- CD10 to CD30: Driving without due care and attention or reasonable consideration (3 to 9 points).
- CD40 to CD70: Causing death by careless driving under the influence of drink or drugs (3 to 11 points).
- DD40: Dangerous driving (3 to 11 points).
- DD80: Causing death by dangerous driving (3 to 11 points).
2. Drink and Drug Offences (DR & DG Codes)
- DR10 / DR20: Driving or attempting to drive while over the legal alcohol limit or unfit through drink (3 to 11 points).
- DG10 / DR80: Driving or attempting to drive with drug levels above the specified limit (3 to 11 points).
- DR40 / DR50 / DG40: Being in charge of a vehicle while impaired or over the limit (10 points).
- DR70: Failing to provide a specimen for a preliminary breath test (4 points).
3. Speeding (SP Codes)
- SP30: Exceeding statutory speed limit on a public road (3 to 6 points).
- SP50: Exceeding speed limit on a motorway (3 to 6 points).
- SP20: Exceeding speed limit for the specific type of vehicle (3 to 6 points).
4. Construction and Use (CU Codes)
- CU10 / CU40: Using a vehicle with defective brakes or defective steering (3 points).
- CU30: Using a vehicle with defective tyres (3 points per illegal tyre).
- CU80: Breach of requirements regarding mobile phone use or control of the vehicle (3 to 6 points).
5. Traffic Signals and Directions (TS Codes)
- TS10: Failing to comply with traffic light signals (3 points).
- TS20 / TS30: Failing to comply with double white lines or a 'Stop' sign (3 points).
- TS60: Failing to comply with a school crossing patrol sign (3 points).
6. Insurance and Licence Offences (IN & LC Codes)
- IN10: Driving uninsured against third-party risks (6 to 8 points).
- LC20: Driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence (3 to 6 points).
- LC40: Driving after failing to notify the DVLA of a medical disability (3 to 6 points).
7. Accident and Miscellaneous Offences (AC & MS Codes)
- AC10: Failing to stop after an accident (5 to 10 points).
- AC20: Failing to report an accident within 24 hours (5 to 10 points).
- MS90: Failure to disclose the identity of a driver when required (6 points).
How long do points stay on your licence?
Penalty points do not vanish immediately after a fine is paid. Depending on the severity of the offence, points remain active on your DVLA driving record for either 4 years or 11 years:
- 4 Years: Standard offences such as speeding, traffic light violations, uninsured driving, and general careless driving. (The points are usually "valid" for the first 3 years for totting-up purposes).
- 11 Years: Serious drink- or drug-driving offences, refusing to provide a specimen, and causing death by careless driving while under the influence.
Motorists can check their active penalty points and endorsement history at any time using the government's free online DVLA driving licence record service.
