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.

Code Offence Penalty points
50 08 028 Failing to stop-injury accident 5-10
50 08 031 Failing to give particulars-damage only accident 5-10
50 08 032 Failing to stop-injury accident 5-10
50 08 035 Failing to give particulars-damage only accident 5-10

Disqualified driver

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

Code Offence Penalty points
50 08 312 Driving while disqualified 6

Careless driving

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

Code Offence Penalty points
50 08 202 Driving without due care and attention 3-9
50 08 203 Driving without reasonable consideration for other road users 3-9

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

Code Offence Penalty points
50 08 204 Causing death through driving carelessly when unfit 3-11
50 08 208 Causing death through driving carelessly with excess alcohol 3-11
50 08 212 Causing 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.

Code Offence Penalty points
41 04 001 Causing death by reckless driving 3-11
41 04 002 Causing death by dangerous driving 3-11

Construction and use offences

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

Code Offence Penalty points
50 13 022 Using a vehicle with defective brakes 3
50 13 156 Using a motor vehicle in a dangerous condition 3
50 13 049 Defective tyre 3
50 13 050 Defective tyres 3
50 13 025 Defective steering 3
50 13 265 Using a mobile phone while driving a motor vehicle 3

Reckless/ dangerous driving

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

Code Offence Penalty points
50 08 201 Dangerous driving 3-11
41 04 002 Causing death by dangerous driving 3-11
50 08 018 Furious driving 3-9

Drink or drugs

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

Code Offence Penalty points
50 08 126 Driving with excess alcohol in breath 3-11
50 08 127 Attempting to drive with excess alcohol in breath 3-11
50 08 129 Driving with excess alcohol in blood 3-11
50 08 130 Attempting to drive with excess alcohol in blood 3-11
50 08 132 Driving with excess alcohol in urine 3-11
50 08 133 Attempting to drive with excess alcohol in urine 3-11
50 08 123 Driving while unfit through drink/ drugs 3-11
50 08 124 Attempting to drive while unfit through drink/ drugs 3-11
50 08 142 Failing to provide a specimen when attempting to drive with excess alcohol 3-11
50 08 125 In charge of a vehicle while unfit through drink/ drugs 10
50 08 139 Failure to provide a specimen when attempting to drive unfit 3-11
50 08 136 Failing to provide a specimen of breath for analysis 3-11

Insurance offences

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

Code Offence Penalty points
50 08 019 No insurance 6-8

Licence offences

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

Code Offence Penalty points
50 10 003 Driving a vehicle having failed to notify a disability 3-6

Miscellaneous offences

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

Code Offence Penalty points
50 08 231 Leaving a vehicle in a dangerous position 3
50 08 237 Carrying unauthorised passenger on a motorcycle 3
50 08 121 Refusing to submit to an eyesight test 3
50 08 040 Failure to give information regarding driver 3

Speed limits

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

Code Offence Penalty points
50 08 013 Excess speed 3-6
50 08 291 Excess speed for vehicle classification 3-6

Traffic direction and signs

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

Code Offence Penalty points
50 08 268 Breach of a traffic sign 3
50 08 007 Fail to obey signal given by constable 3

Special code

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

Code Offence
Tot up To 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.

Code Offence Penalty points
50 08 295 Aggravated vehicle taking causing damage 3-11
50 08 290 Aggravated vehicle taking causing injury 3-11

Alcohol limits

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

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