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Penalty points guidance

This is a guide to the penalty points a court may impose. It doesn't reflect the fact that some offences may incur a disqualification. The offence code and penalty points will be shown on your driving licence and must stay there for four or 11 years depending on the offence.

Accident offences

The following offence codes must stay on a driving licence for four years from the date of offence.

CodeOffencePenalty points
50 08 028Failing to stop-injury accident5-10
50 08 031Failing to give particulars-damage only accident5-10
50 08 032Failing to stop-injury accident5-10
50 08 035Failing to give particulars-damage only accident5-10

Disqualified driver

The following offence codes must stay on a driving licence for four years from the date of offence.

CodeOffencePenalty points
50 08 312Driving while disqualified6

Careless driving

The following offence codes must stay on a driving licence for four years from date of offence.

CodeOffencePenalty points
50 08 202Driving without due care and attention3-9
50 08 203Driving without reasonable consideration for other road users3-9

The following offence codes must stay on a driving licence for 11 years from date of conviction.

CodeOffencePenalty points
50 08 204Causing death through driving carelessly when unfit3-11
50 08 208Causing death through driving carelessly with excess alcohol3-11
50 08 212Causing death by careless driving then failing to supply a specimen 3-11

The following offence codes must stay on a driving licence for four years from date of conviction.

CodeOffencePenalty points
41 04 001Causing death by reckless driving3-11
41 04 002Causing death by dangerous driving3-11

Construction and use offences

The following offence codes must stay on a driving licence for four years from date of offence.

CodeOffencePenalty points
50 13 022Using a vehicle with defective brakes3
50 13 156Using a motor vehicle in a dangerous condition3
50 13 049Defective tyre3
50 13 050Defective tyres3
50 13 025Defective steering3
50 13 265Using a mobile phone while driving a motor vehicle

6

Reckless/ dangerous driving

The following offence codes must stay on a driving licence for four years from date of conviction.

CodeOffencePenalty points
50 08 201Dangerous driving3-11
41 04 002Causing death by dangerous driving3-11
50 08 018Furious driving3-9

Drink or drugs

The following offence codes must stay on a driving licence for 11 years from date of conviction.

CodeOffencePenalty points
50 08 126Driving with excess alcohol in breath3-11
50 08 127Attempting to drive with excess alcohol in breath3-11
50 08 129Driving with excess alcohol in blood3-11
50 08 130Attempting to drive with excess alcohol in blood3-11
50 08 132Driving with excess alcohol in urine3-11
50 08 133Attempting to drive with excess alcohol in urine3-11
50 08 123Driving while unfit through drink/ drugs3-11
50 08 124Attempting to drive while unfit through drink/ drugs3-11
50 08 142Failing to provide a specimen when attempting to drive with excess alcohol3-11
50 08 125In charge of a vehicle while unfit through drink/ drugs10
50 08 139Failure to provide a specimen when attempting to drive unfit3-11
50 08 136Failing to provide a specimen of breath for analysis3-11

Insurance offences

The following offence codes must stay on a driving licence for four years from date of offence.

CodeOffencePenalty points
50 08 019No insurance6-8

Licence offences

The following offence codes must stay on a driving licence for four years from date of offence.

CodeOffencePenalty points
50 10 003Driving a vehicle having failed to notify a disability3-6

Miscellaneous offences

The following offence codes must stay on a driving licence for four years from date of offence.

CodeOffencePenalty points
50 08 231Leaving a vehicle in a dangerous position3
50 08 237Carrying unauthorised passenger on a motorcycle3
50 08 121Refusing to submit to an eyesight test3
50 08 040Failure to give information regarding driver3

Speed limits

The following offence codes must stay on a driving licence for four years from date of offence.

CodeOffencePenalty points
50 08 013Excess speed3-6
50 08 291Excess speed for vehicle classification3-6

Traffic direction and signs

The following offence codes must stay on a driving licence for four years from date of offence.

CodeOffencePenalty points
50 08 268Breach of a traffic sign3
50 08 007Fail to obey signal given by constable3

Special code

The following offence codes must stay on a driving licence for four years from date of conviction.

CodeOffence
Tot upTo signify a disqualification under 'totting up' procedure. If the total of penalty points reaches 12 or more within three years, the driver is liable to be disqualified

Theft or unauthorised taking

The following offence codes must stay on a driving licence for four years from date of offence.

CodeOffencePenalty points
50 08 295Aggravated vehicle taking causing damage3-11
50 08 290Aggravated vehicle taking causing injury3-11

Alcohol limits

Find out how many units of alcohol are in your favourite tipple, how to enjoy drink responsibly and more.

  • Alcohol units
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Endorsements and disqualifications

  • Courses for drink drive offenders
  • Driving disqualifications
  • Endorsements and penalty points
  • Fixed Penalties for motoring offences
  • Getting licence back after disqualification
  • Penalty points guidance
  • Remove expired endorsements from driving licence
  • The extended practical driving test

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