How long do penalty points stay on my licence?

For drivers who have received penalty points on their licence.

Applies to: England, Scotland, Wales Last checked against official sources: 6 October 2026

Official figures may have changed. Check the source.

Endorsements stay on your driving record for 4 or 11 years, depending on the offence. You can be disqualified if you build up 12 or more points within 3 years.

Most endorsements last 4 years from the date of the offence.
Some run from the date of conviction instead, such as dangerous driving or offences that lead to a ban (4 years), and drink or drug driving (11 years).
Check your points by viewing your driving licence record online.
New drivers have different rules.
Endorsement codes and processes are different in Northern Ireland.

Different in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland

Rules may be different in:

Northern Ireland: Check nidirect for Northern Ireland

Key facts

4 or 11 years
12 points in 3 years = ban risk
Check online

How to check your driving licence points

The quickest way to see your penalty points is DVLA's online service, View or share your driving licence information. It shows:

any penalty points (endorsements) on your licence
when each one will be removed from your record
any disqualifications
the vehicles you are allowed to drive

This service is for licences issued in England, Scotland and Wales. Northern Ireland has its own service (see below).

What you need

your driving licence number
your National Insurance number
the postcode on your driving licence

Step by step

Go to the View or share your driving licence information service on GOV.UK.
Choose to view your licence.
Enter your driving licence number, National Insurance number and postcode.
Look at the penalty points section. Each endorsement shows its code, the points and the dates.
If you need to show your record to someone, such as a car hire company or employer, create a check code. It lasts for 21 days.

You can also get a check code through your driver and vehicles account.

How long points stay on your record

Type of offence	How long it stays	Counted from
Most offences, such as careless driving	4 years	Date of the offence
Reckless or dangerous driving, or any offence that led to a ban	4 years	Date of conviction
Drink or drug driving, or causing death by careless driving while under the influence	11 years	Date of conviction

Why it is worth checking

12 points within 3 years: you can be banned from driving (disqualified).
New drivers: your licence is cancelled (revoked) if you get 6 or more points within 2 years of passing your test. Points you got on your provisional licence count too. You would have to reapply for a provisional licence and pass both the theory and practical tests again.

So if you are close to these limits, check the dates on your record to see when older points drop off.

If you live in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland drivers use the View or share your NI driving licence information service on nidirect. You need a nidirect account with a checked identity. It shows your penalty points, disqualifications and the vehicles you can drive. Check codes there also last 21 days.

Related guides

Where this comes from

Get it done

This takes you to the official service, which is free to use.

View your driving record

Common questions

How do I check my driving licence points?

Use DVLA's View or share your driving licence information service to see your penalty points and disqualifications. You need your driving licence number, National Insurance number and the postcode on your licence.

How do I share my driving record with a car hire company?

Create a check code through the same online service and give it to them; it lasts for 21 days.

How many points before you get a driving ban?

You can be disqualified if you build up 12 or more penalty points within 3 years.

How many points can a new driver get?

Your licence is cancelled if you get 6 or more points within 2 years of passing your test.

Official sources

1.Penalty points (endorsements)www.gov.uk/penalty-points-endorsements
2.View or share your driving licence informationwww.gov.uk/view-driving-licence
3.Penalty points: new driverswww.gov.uk/penalty-points-endorsements/new-drivers

Checked against GOV.UK on 6 October 2026

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