How many penalty points can a new driver get?

What the new driver rule is

For the first 2 years after you pass your driving test, you are on a kind of probation. If you build up 6 or more penalty points in that time, your licence is cancelled. The legal word for this is "revoked". This is often called the New Drivers Act rule.

Experienced drivers can usually be disqualified at 12 points within 3 years. New drivers only have half that.

Who it applies to

The rule applies if your first driving test pass was in Great Britain, Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man, the Channel Islands, Gibraltar, or an EC or EEA country. It also applies if you exchanged a foreign licence for a British one and then passed a further test in Great Britain.

There is no new 2 year period if you later pass a test for another category, such as a lorry.

How quickly points add up

Many common offences carry 3 or more points.

You can get 6 points and a £200 fine for holding and using a phone while driving. That alone is enough to lose your licence as a new driver.

Worked examples

Example 1: you pass your test in March 2026. In June 2026 you are caught speeding and get 3 points. In January 2027 you are caught speeding again and get another 3 points. You now have 6 points within 2 years, so your licence is cancelled.

Example 2: you got 3 points while learning, on your provisional licence. They have not expired when you pass your test. Those 3 points carry over. One more 3 point speeding offence within 2 years of passing takes you to 6, and your licence is cancelled.

What happens if your licence is cancelled

1. You lose your full licence.
2. You apply and pay for a new provisional licence.
3. You pass both the theory test and the practical test again.

If your licence was cancelled before you sent off for your full licence, you can use your current provisional licence to take the tests.

Check your points

You can view your driving licence record online to see what points you have and when they will be removed. Endorsements stay on your record for 4 or 11 years, depending on the offence.

If you live in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland

This guide covers Great Britain, so the same rules apply in England, Scotland and Wales. Northern Ireland driving licences are dealt with separately, and the GOV.UK licence checking service does not cover them, so check nidirect if you hold a Northern Ireland licence.

Related guides

• How long do penalty points stay on my licence?
• How many points on your licence before a ban?
• What is the penalty for speeding?
• How do I book my driving test?
• What are the rules for learner drivers?

Where this comes from

• Penalty points: new drivers (GOV.UK)
• Penalty points (endorsements) (GOV.UK)
• Endorsement codes and penalty points (GOV.UK)
• Using mobile phones when driving: the law (GOV.UK)
• Speeding penalties (GOV.UK)
• Reapply for your driving licence (GOV.UK)
• View or share your driving licence information (GOV.UK)