Penalty points and driving offences

By the end of this topic you can

• You can state the points threshold for learners, novices and full licence holders.
• You can explain how a fixed charge notice works and the payment deadlines.
• You can name common offences and their points.
• You can explain which offences go straight to court.

What you need to know and understand

• Points stay on your record for 3 years, not counting any time your licence is out of date or you are disqualified.
• Learners and novices whose first learner permit was issued from 1 August 2014 are banned for 6 months at 7 points.
• Full licence holders are banned for 6 months at 12 points.
• Speeding is a 160 euro fixed charge and 3 penalty points.
• Holding a mobile phone while driving is a 120 euro fixed charge and 3 penalty points.
• Most offences carry more points if you are convicted in court than if you pay the fixed charge.
• Drink driving does not carry points. It leads to disqualification.

How a fixed charge notice works

1. You receive the notice by post.
2. Pay within 28 days at the standard amount.
3. If you miss that, you have a further 28 days to pay, but the amount rises by 50 percent.
4. If you still do not pay, you are summoned to court, where a conviction usually brings more points.
5. Points go on your record after you pay or are convicted.

Common offences for new drivers

Two speeding offences and one L plate offence add up to 8 points: a learner would already be banned.

• Speeding: 160 euro and 3 points (5 on conviction).
• Holding a mobile phone: 120 euro and 3 points (5 on conviction).
• Not wearing a seat belt: 120 euro and 3 points (5 on conviction).
• Failing to obey traffic lights: 80 euro and 3 points (5 on conviction).
• Learner driving unaccompanied: 160 euro and 2 points (4 on conviction).
• No L plates or N plates: 120 euro and 2 points (4 on conviction).

Court-only offences and bans

Some offences have no fixed charge and always go to court, with points only on conviction. Examples are careless driving and driving without insurance, each carrying 5 points. Courts can also ban you directly for serious offences, such as drink or drug driving, whatever your points total.

When a points ban starts, you must send your permit or licence to the NDLS within 14 days. Driving while banned is a separate offence, and a learner who is banned cannot drive at all, even with an accompanying driver.

Common mistakes

• Thinking points only matter after you pass. Learners collect points too.
• Ignoring a fixed charge notice. The amount rises and court brings more points.
• Assuming you have 12 points to play with. As a learner or novice your limit is 7.
• Picking up the phone at red lights. It still counts as driving.

Test yourself: Penalty points and driving offences

Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.

Go deeper

• Penalty Points in Ireland
• Seat Belts and Child Car Seats in Ireland