How to check points on your driving licence
If you have acquired points on your licence in the past, you may want to know if they are still there.
You will need to know if you have points on your licence when you apply for insurance, as insurers and brokers will likely ask you if you have any previous points or endorsements. Due to legislation that came into effect in 2013, you are legally required to answer truthfully.
Where can I check points on my licence?
You can check the points on your licence online, with the government providing this handy tool to inform you of your driving record.
In order to view your driving endorsements online, you will need the following:
Driving licence number
You can find your driving licence number in section 5 of your driving licence photocard.
National Insurance number
Your National Insurance (NI) number is used on a number of documents, such as your payslip, P60, benefits information and tax returns. You can also find your NI number on your NI card.
Postcode
The postcode that you use should be the same as the one on your driving licence.
Can insurance companies check points on my licence?
Insurers may choose to check if the information provided is correct. Providing incorrect information can invalidate policies and motor insurance fraud costs the average policyholder an extra £50 on their policy.
You are legally required to inform your insurer of any penalty points on your licence if they ask. This means companies can conduct a licence check on you before agreeing to provide you cover.
You can still get insurance with points on your licence, but you may find it is more expensive and not as many companies are willing to cover you. Find out more about how points affect your insurance in our blog.
What do you get points on your driving licence for in the UK?
Points can be applied to your driving licence for a variety of driving offences. Below is a short, but not extensive, list of some of the offences that will result in points being added to your licence:
Using a mobile phone while driving: 6 points
Driving or attempting to drive with alcohol level above limit: 3 to 11 points
Driving without due care and attention: 3 to 9 points
Exceeding the speed limit: Minimum 3 points
Failing to comply with traffic light signals: 3 points
Read our blog listing all driving offences in the UK, how many points you’ll get for each driving endorsement, and how long it will stay on your licence if you are found committing them.
How many points are you allowed on your driving licence before you are banned?
If you’ve held your driving licence for at least two years and you accumulate 12 or more points in the UK on your driving licence within a three year period, you will run the risk of having your licence revoked and you will subsequently be disqualified from driving.
If this happens and you are disqualified for more than 56 days, then you will need to re-apply for your driving licence. And in some cases, you may need to retake your test.
If you are a new driver (i.e.you’ve held your licence for less than two years) your limit is six points or more within two years. Points given whilst you held your provisional licence will be carried over to your full licence as well. If you are a new driver and are subsequently disqualified from driving, you will need to resit your theory and practical test once your ban ends.
Can I get insurance with points on my licence?
If you have points on your licence and are looking for insurance, Adrian Flux specialises in cover for convicted drivers. Call us on 0800 369 8590 for a quote or schedule a callback at a time that suits you.
