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In Great Britain, a motoring conviction can put penalty points on your driving record, from 1 to 11 depending on the offence. The points are recorded with an endorsement code such as SP30 for speeding or CU80 for using a phone. Reach 12 points within 3 years and you can be banned for at least 6 months. For drivers in their first 2 years after passing, the limit is 6 points. This guide covers fixed penalty amounts, the most common codes, how long points last and when a ban becomes automatic.
Key facts
- Points range from 1 to 11 per offence.
- 12 or more points within 3 years: disqualification for at least 6 months (“totting up”, code TT99).
- New drivers: 6 or more points within 2 years of passing and your licence is cancelled.
- Endorsements stay on your record for 4 or 11 years, depending on the offence.
- Dangerous driving and drink-driving carry a compulsory ban of at least 12 months.
Common fixed penalties (as of November 2026)
| Offence | Fixed penalty | Points | Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speeding (minimum penalty) | £100 | 3 | SP30 (SP50 on a motorway) |
| Holding and using a phone or other device while driving | £200 | 6 | CU80 |
| Driving a car you are not insured to drive | £300 | 6 | IN10 |
Speeding: you may be offered a speed awareness course instead of the fine and points, if the police think it is appropriate and you haven’t been on one in the past 3 years. If you plead not guilty and lose in court, the fine is usually a percentage of your weekly income, up to £1,000 (£2,500 on a motorway).
Fixed penalties for other offences vary, so check the amount on the notice you receive.
Maximum court penalties (Highway Code Annex 5)
| Offence | Maximum penalty | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Dangerous driving | 2 years’ prison, unlimited fine, compulsory ban | 3 to 11 |
| Careless and inconsiderate driving | Unlimited fine, possible ban | 3 to 9 |
| Drink or drug driving, or failing to provide a specimen | 6 months’ prison, unlimited fine, compulsory ban | 3 to 11 |
| Failing to stop after, or report, an accident | 6 months’ prison, unlimited fine, possible ban | 5 to 10 |
| Driving while disqualified | 6 months’ prison (12 in Scotland), unlimited fine, possible ban | 6 |
| Driving without insurance | Unlimited fine, possible ban | 6 to 8 |
| Using a hand-held mobile phone | £1,000 fine, possible ban | 6 |
| Speeding | £1,000 fine (£2,500 on motorways), possible ban | 3 to 6, or 3 by fixed penalty |
| Traffic light offences | £1,000 fine, possible ban | 3 |
| Driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence | £1,000 fine, possible ban | 3 to 6 |
| Failing to identify the driver of a vehicle | £1,000 fine, possible ban | 6 |
| No MOT certificate | £1,000 fine | None |
| Seat belt offences | £500 fine | None |
Endorsement codes learners should know
| Code | Offence | Points |
|---|---|---|
| AC10 / AC20 | Failing to stop after an accident / failing to give details or report within 24 hours | 5 to 10 |
| CD10 | Driving without due care and attention | 3 to 9 |
| CU10 / CU30 / CU40 | Defective brakes / tyres / steering | 3 |
| CU50 | Danger from load or passengers | 3 |
| CU80 | Breach of requirements as to control of the vehicle, such as using a mobile phone | 3 to 6 |
| DD40 | Dangerous driving | 3 to 11 |
| DR10 | Driving or attempting to drive with alcohol above the limit | 3 to 11 |
| DG10 | Driving or attempting to drive with a drug level above the specified limit | 3 to 11 |
| IN10 | Using a vehicle uninsured against third party risks | 6 to 8 |
| LC20 | Driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence | 3 to 6 |
| MS70 | Driving with uncorrected defective eyesight | 3 |
| MS90 | Failing to give information about the identity of the driver | 6 |
| MW10 | Breaking motorway regulations (not speed limits) | 3 |
| PC20 | Pedestrian crossing offence with a moving vehicle | 3 |
| SP30 | Exceeding the statutory speed limit on a public road | 3 to 6 |
| TS10 / TS20 / TS30 | Ignoring traffic lights / double white lines / a stop sign | 3 |
Code variants: a 0 changed to 2 means you aided or abetted the offence (LC20 becomes LC22). Changed to 4 means you caused or permitted it (LC24). Changed to 6 means you encouraged it (DD46). The points are the same. That matters for supervisors: helping a learner break the law can put points on your licence too.
How long do penalty points stay on your licence?
| Type of offence | Stays on record | Counts towards totting up |
|---|---|---|
| Most offences (speeding, phone, careless driving, insurance) | 4 years from the offence date | First 3 years |
| Dangerous driving (DD40, DD60, DD80) or any offence resulting in a ban | 4 years from conviction | First 3 years |
| Drink or drug driving (DR10, DR20, DR30, DR31, DR61, DR80) and causing death while under the influence (CD40, CD50, CD60, CD70) | 11 years from conviction | First 10 years |
Insurers and employers may be able to see a 4-year endorsement for the whole 4 years, and an 11-year endorsement for its first 5 years (30 months if you were under 18). You can view your points on your driving licence record on GOV.UK.
Totting up: when you get banned
- 12 or more points within 3 years: 6-month ban.
- Second ban within 3 years: 12 months.
- Third ban within 3 years: 2 years.
- For any offence with points, a court can also ban you for whatever period it thinks fit, usually a week to a few months.
- Dangerous driving and drink-driving carry a compulsory ban of at least 12 months. A second drink-drive offence within 10 years means at least 3 years.
- Banned for 56 days or more? You must apply for a new licence before driving again, and the court may order a retest or extended test.
Worked example: how quickly a new driver loses their licence
Sam passed six months ago. A speed camera catches Sam speeding: £100 and 3 points. Four months later, Sam gets another speeding fixed penalty: 3 more points. That makes 6 points within 2 years of passing, so the licence is cancelled. Paying by fixed penalty makes no difference. Sam must apply for a new provisional licence and pass both the theory and practical tests again. One phone offence (6 points) would have done the same. See the New Drivers Act.
Common questions
How many points can you have before a ban?
12 within 3 years for experienced drivers. If you passed within the last 2 years, 6 points cancels your licence.
Can learners get points?
Yes. Points on a provisional licence that have not expired carry over to your full licence and count towards the new-driver limit of 6.
When can I do a speed awareness course instead of taking points?
Only if the police offer it. They must decide it suits the offence, and you must not have been on a course in the past 3 years. If you take the course, it replaces the £100 fixed penalty and 3 points.
Do I have to tell my insurer about points?
Insurers can find out about a 4-year endorsement at any point while it is on your record. Annex 5 warns that insurance is likely to rise considerably after a conviction for a serious driving offence.
What is code TT99?
It shows a ban for totting up 12 or more points within 3 years. It stays on your record for 4 years from conviction.
Are codes different in Northern Ireland?
Yes, Northern Ireland has its own endorsement codes and processes. A ban in Great Britain also applies in Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man.
Related: UK speed limits, phones and sat navs: the law, drink and drug driving limits, car documents and insurance and the road user and the law. Back to the main guide: Learning to Drive in Great Britain.
Sources
- Department for Transport, “The Highway Code: Annex 5. Penalties” (gov.uk)
- GOV.UK, “Penalty points (endorsements)” (Overview, Endorsement codes and penalty points, How long endorsements stay on your driving record, New drivers) (gov.uk)
- GOV.UK, “Speeding penalties” (gov.uk)
- GOV.UK, “Using a phone, sat nav or other device when driving” (gov.uk)
- GOV.UK, “Vehicle insurance: Driving without insurance” (gov.uk)
- GOV.UK, “Driving disqualifications” (gov.uk)