How to check points on your licence

Ever wondered how to check points on your licence? It’s always a useful piece of information to know — especially if you’re applying for insurance, hiring a car, or starting a new job.

Fortunately, it’s very easy to do a quick penalty points check online.

Here, we’ll guide you through the process of checking points on your licence step by step, so you’ll know exactly where you stand. We’ll also explain how any outstanding licence points might affect your insurance premiums, and advise you on how you can avoid accruing more points in the future.

Let’s dive in.

Can you check the points on a driving licence?

Checking the points on your own driving licence is a straightforward process, especially if you choose to do it online.

Online

To check your points, first go to the online driving licence information service provided by gov.uk.

Make sure you have:

Your driving licence number

Your National Insurance number

The postcode that’s displayed on your driving licence

Then, enter your details and tick the box saying that you agree that your data will be shared with other government departments. And voila, your personal driving licence information will be displayed, including any penalty points or disqualifications you may have.

By telephone, email, or post

If you prefer, you can also check your licence points by contacting the DVLA directly by telephone, email, or post. But be aware that taking this route isn’t as quick as going online.

If you apply by email or post, you’ll need to send the DVLA a “Make a subject access request to DVLA” form (which is available on gov.uk).

You’ll need to include the following details:

Your full name

Your address

Your driving licence number

More details, including where to send your form, can be found on the relevant page at gov.uk.

Alternatively, you can also contact the DVLA by phone.

Can I share how many penalty points I have with someone else?

Sometimes, you’ll need to share an official record of how many penalty points you have with someone else — for example, a car hire company.

You can do this in the same way that you can check points on your driving licence, that is, by accessing the licence check service on gov.uk and creating a licence check code. This code is valid for 21 days.

Unfortunately, at the time of writing, it wasn’t possible to apply for a licence check code by post or email.

Can I check someone else’s penalty points?

It’s also possible to check someone else’s penalty points. Gov.uk offers an online service for this, but you’ll need permission and information from the driver concerned. To check someone else’s driving licence information, including their penalty points, you’ll need:

Their licence check code (see section above)

The last eight characters of their driving licence number

This service is often used by employers and car hire companies.

What happens if you get 3 points on your licence?

If you get three points on your licence, then they’ll stay on your licence for either four or 11 years. The exact length of time depends on the seriousness of the offence.

For example, penalty points awarded for drunk driving (which typically range from three to 11 points) stay on your driving record for 11 years after the date of conviction. But points given for driving endorsements CD10 to CD33 (careless driving) stay on your driving record for four years from the time of the offence.

Remember: how long penalty points stay on your licence and their validity are two different things. This is worth bearing in mind because only valid points can be added to your running total of points accrued.

We’ve written an article that gives you all the information you need to know about how long points stay on your licence. You can also find more details on the penalty points awarded for different driving offences on gov.uk.

How many points means that I’ll lose my licence?

If, in any three years, you accrue 12 or more penalty points (through a process called “totting up”), you’ll have your licence revoked and will not be allowed to drive.

But be aware that this limit is different for new drivers. Those freshly behind the wheel can only accrue a maximum of six points in the two years after passing their driving test or their licence will be revoked. To get back on the road, these drivers will need to pass both their theory and practical driving tests again.

Read more: Car insurance for new drivers: All you need to know

How much do 3 points affect insurance?

The more penalty points you have on your driving licence, the higher your car insurance premiums are likely to be. Although it’s hard to put an exact figure on exactly how much three points could drive up your insurance premiums, a 2015 This is Money article quoted 5% (and a staggering 80% for 10 points) when compared to a driver with a clean licence. [Note to Howden: Do you have your own information to share here?]

To put it simply: the more points you have on your licence, the bigger risk you’re thought to be from an insurer’s point of view.

Telling your insurer about points on your licence is a legal requirement according to The Road Traffic Act 1998, so it’s worth checking your driving record to know exactly where you stand.

How do I avoid getting more points on my licence?

As we mentioned earlier, if you tot up 12 or more points in any 12-year period (less if you’re a new driver), then your licence will be revoked. So it’s really important to take steps to avoid accruing points in the first place.

Evaluate your own driving carefully, bearing in mind that many drivers can get hit with points for just “bending the rules” a little. Being a stickler for things like speed limits now could help you avoid accruing penalty points in the future.

If you feel that you’d like more support with your driving, there are lessons available for drivers who have already passed their test, such as advanced driving courses offered by organisations like the AA and BSM. One course to consider (especially if you’re a less experienced driver) is the Pass Plus course, which is recognised by the DVSA and focuses on improving road awareness for improved safety.