How long do points stay on your licence?

Driver Guides  General Guides 

If you've ever wound up with a driving conviction of some kind, you'll no doubt be a bit annoyed with yourself. But all you can do is learn from it and move on. Having points on your licence is something you'll just have to get used to.

The question is: how long do they last and for how long do you need to declare them?

According to the DVLA , endorsements stay on your driving record for either four or 11 years depending on the offence. This can start from the date you're convicted or the date of your offence. This can be where people get a little confused by the rules.

The endorsement is valid for between three and 10 years depending on the offence. After the conviction is considered spent, the endorsement remains on your license for a further 12 months. In most cases of fixed penalties – those pesky speed cameras we all love so much – you would end up with three points. These are considered spent after three years, but the offence would be recorded on your licence for four years. Likewise, if you end up with a 10-year endorsement, it will actually be on your record for the maximum 11 years.

Points and your insurance

Under the Road Traffic Act 1998, it is an offence to withhold relevant information when applying for car insurance, so you're legally obliged to declare penalty points to your insurer. For insurance purposes, points are considered ‘spent' after five years have passed, so an insurer is legally not allowed to increase your premium after this.

Fail to declare any points and your insurer finds out – and they will check so it's not worth trying to pull the wool over their eyes – and you'll find yourself on the receiving end of a stern letter informing you of an increase in premiums.

Worst case scenario, your insurance could be cancelled, and that could have further consequences for the cost of your car insurance. Essentially, if an insurance company asks and your points are still on your licence (even if your conviction is spent) it is commonly accepted that you should declare it.

Obviously the severity of the offence has an impact on the amount of time the points are valid, as well as how many you receive. Below is a list of offence codes and the duration the points remain on your licence.

Although it should go without saying that if you behave yourself this entire article will be totally irrelevant to you.

Speeding

SP10, SP20, SP30, SP40, SP50

If you've been landed with a speeding conviction, you will have received three to six points on your licence, which will remain on your licence for four years from the date of the offence.

Construction and use

CU10, CU20, CU30, CU40, CU50, CU80

If you've been convicted of a construction or use offence – these are the bald tyres, using your phone, generally unroadworthy vehicle type offences - you will have three points on your licence which will remain for four years from the date of the offence.

Licence offences

LC20, LC30, LC40, LC50

For offences related to your driving licence – driving something you're not entitled to drive, failing to declare a medical condition, that kind of thing - you will have received three to six points which remain for four years from the date of the offence.

Miscellaneous offences

MS10, MS20, MS30, MS40, MS50, MS60, MS70, MS80, MS90

Miscellaneous offences range from dangerous parking to street racing to not wearing your glasses when you know you should. They can lead to anything from two to 11 points, and these will stay on your licence for four years.

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