How long do penalty points last in the UK?
For most standard driving offences — speeding (SP30), using a mobile phone (CU80), careless driving (CD10) — penalty points last 4 years from the date of the offence. However, they are only considered "active" for 3 of those 4 years.
For more serious offences such as drink driving (DR10) or causing death by dangerous driving, points remain on your licence for 11 years and are active for 10 years.
What's the difference between "active" and "on your record"?
This is one of the most misunderstood aspects of UK driving law. There are two separate timelines for every set of penalty points:
- Active period — During this time, the points count towards the 12-point threshold that triggers a driving ban (totting up). For standard offences, this is 3 years from the offence date.
- On record — During this additional period (up to 4 years for standard offences), the points are visible on your DVLA record and may need to be declared to insurers, even though they cannot contribute to a ban.
Common offence codes — how long do they last?
| Offence Code | Description | Points | Active For | On Record For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SP30 | Speeding on a public road | 3–6 | 3 years | 4 years |
| SP50 | Speeding on a motorway | 3–6 | 3 years | 4 years |
| CU80 | Using a mobile phone while driving | 6 | 3 years | 4 years |
| IN10 | Using a vehicle uninsured | 6–8 | 3 years | 4 years |
| CD10 | Careless driving | 3–9 | 3 years | 4 years |
| DR10 | Driving or attempting to drive with alcohol above limit | 3–11 | 10 years | 11 years |
| DR20 | Driving or attempting to drive while unfit through drink | 3–11 | 10 years | 11 years |
| DD40 | Dangerous driving | 3–11 | 10 years | 11 years |
How do penalty points affect my car insurance?
Even once penalty points become inactive (after 3 years for standard offences), many insurance providers require you to declare them for a further period — often for a total of 5 years from the offence date. Failure to declare can invalidate your policy.
The typical cost impact of 3 penalty points (SP30) is a 10–25% increase in insurance premiums. More serious offences like DR10 can increase premiums by 50–100% or more, and some insurers may refuse cover entirely.
What happens if I reach 12 penalty points?
Accumulating 12 or more penalty points within 3 years triggers the "totting up" rule. Magistrates must impose a minimum 6-month driving ban unless exceptional hardship can be proved. The ban increases to 12 months if you have been disqualified in the past 3 years, and 24 months for a second disqualification.