An endorsement is a record of a driving offence added to your licence by the DVLA

When you are convicted of a driving offence, the court sends the details to the DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency). The DVLA then adds a code and description to your licence record — this is called an endorsement. It stays on your licence for a set number of years, usually four or eleven depending on the offence. You will see the endorsement printed on the back of your photocard licence.

Endorsements are different from penalty points. A penalty point is a separate system that tracks minor offences; an endorsement is what appears on your actual licence document when you have been convicted in court. Some offences carry both an endorsement and points, while others carry only points.

The endorsement code tells insurance companies, employers, and the DVLA itself what you were convicted of. This affects your insurance premiums, your ability to hold certain jobs, and whether you can drive at all if you accumulate too many points.

Key Takeaways

  • An endorsement is added to your licence after a court conviction for a driving offence, not after a straightforward fine or warning.
  • Each endorsement has a code (like SP30 for speeding or DR10 for drink-driving) that stays visible on your licence for four to eleven years depending on the offence.
  • Insurance companies check your endorsements and usually increase your premiums significantly if you have any recorded.
  • Some jobs — particularly those involving driving or working with vulnerable people — require a clean licence with no endorsements.
  • Endorsements are separate from penalty points, though many offences carry both.

How endorsements appear on your licence

Your photocard licence has two sides. The front shows your photo, name, and driving categories you are allowed to use. The back lists any endorsements in a table with three columns: the code, the date of conviction, and the date it will be removed.

The code is a two-letter prefix followed by a number. For example, SP30 means speeding (SP) and the 30 refers to the specific offence. DR10 means drink-driving. CD40 means careless driving. These codes are standardised across all UK licences, so any employer or insurance company will recognise what they mean when ready.

If you have no endorsements, the back of your licence will be blank or show "No endorsements". If you have multiple endorsements from different convictions, each one appears as a separate row in the table.

Common endorsement codes and what they mean

The most frequent endorsements come from speeding, careless driving, and failure to comply with traffic signs. Here are the codes you are most likely to encounter:

  • SP30: Speeding — driving above the legal speed limit.
  • CD40: Careless or inconsiderate driving — driving without due care and attention.
  • MS90: Failure to comply with a traffic sign — ignoring a red light, stop sign, or similar.
  • DR10: Drink-driving — driving with alcohol in your system above the legal limit.
  • DR20: Driving or attempting to drive while unfit through drugs.
  • BA10: Driving or attempting to drive with excess alcohol — a more serious version of DR10.
  • TT99: Tractor work — not a conviction but a record of tractor use, kept for different reasons.

Each code also carries a number of penalty points. Speeding typically carries three points, careless driving four to nine points depending on severity, and drink-driving ten points. If you reach twelve points within three years, your licence is automatically revoked and you must reapply.

How long endorsements stay on your licence

The removal date is printed on your licence next to each endorsement. Most endorsements stay for four years from the date of conviction. However, more serious offences — particularly drink-driving, drug-driving, and causing death by careless driving — stay for eleven years.

The clock starts from the date of conviction, not the date you received the fine or the date you were stopped. If you were convicted on 15 March 2023, the endorsement will be removed on 15 March 2027 (four years) or 15 March 2034 (eleven years) depending on the offence type.

After the removal date passes, the DVLA automatically removes the endorsement from your licence. You do not need to do anything. Your next licence renewal will show a clean record. However, if you are asked to declare previous convictions — for example, on a job process — you may still be legally required to mention it even after it has been removed from your licence, depending on the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act and the specific job.

How endorsements affect insurance and employment

Insurance companies check your licence endorsements before offering you a quote. A single endorsement will usually increase your premium by 20 to 50 percent, depending on the insurer and the offence. Drink-driving endorsements typically result in the largest increases or outright refusal to insure you.

Some insurers will not cover you at all if you have a recent endorsement. Others will cover you but at a significantly higher cost. You are legally required to tell your insurer about any endorsements when you take out a policy; failing to do so can invalidate your insurance.

For employment, many jobs require a clean driving licence as a condition of hire. This includes roles in delivery, taxi driving, bus driving, and any job that involves transporting vulnerable people such as children or elderly adults. A single endorsement can disqualify you from these positions. Some employers also check licences for office-based roles if the job involves occasional business driving.

What happens if you accumulate too many endorsements

Endorsements carry penalty points, and the points system is what triggers licence revocation. If you receive twelve or more points within a three-year period, your licence is automatically revoked by the DVLA. You then have to pass the theory and practical driving tests again before you can drive legally.

The three-year window is a rolling period. If you received four points on 1 January 2023 and another eight points on 1 January 2024, you now have twelve points and your licence is revoked. But if you received four points on 1 January 2023 and another eight points on 2 January 2026, the first four points have dropped off the rolling window, so you only have eight points and your licence remains valid.

If you are a new driver (within two years of passing your test), the threshold is lower: six points will revoke your licence. This is called the New Drivers Act. If your licence is revoked as a new driver, you must reapply and pass both tests again.

How to check your own endorsements

You can view your endorsements by checking your physical licence — they are printed on the back. You can also check your DVLA record online using the DVLA's online service. You will need your driving licence number, National Insurance number, and postcode.

If you believe an endorsement has been added in error, or if you think an endorsement should have been removed by now, contact the DVLA directly. You can write to them or use their online contact form. Keep a copy of your licence and any court documents related to the conviction.

Some endorsements can be removed early if you appeal the conviction or if the conviction is overturned on appeal. This is rare and requires legal action, but it is possible. If you are considering this route, speak to a solicitor who specialises in motoring law.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive if I have endorsements on my licence?

Yes, you can drive as long as you have not reached twelve penalty points (or six if you are a new driver). The endorsement itself does not stop you driving — it is the accumulation of points that does. However, some employers or insurance companies may refuse to cover you or employ you based on the endorsement alone.

Will an endorsement show up if I explore for a job?

It depends on the job. If the employer requests a driving licence check, they will see the endorsement. For most office jobs, they will not check. For driving roles, delivery, or work with vulnerable people, they almost certainly will. You should always declare endorsements when asked, as failing to do so can result in dismissal.

Can endorsements be removed early?

Only if you successfully appeal your conviction and have it overturned. Standard endorsements cannot be removed before the date shown on your licence. If you believe the conviction was unsafe or unfair, you can appeal through the courts, but this requires legal representation and is not common.

What is the difference between an endorsement and penalty points?

An endorsement is the record of the offence printed on your licence. Penalty points are a separate count that tracks how many points you have accumulated. Most offences carry both, but some carry only points. Twelve points within three years revokes your licence; an endorsement alone does not.

Do I have to tell my insurance company about an endorsement?

Yes. You are legally required to declare all endorsements to your insurer. Failing to do so is fraud and will invalidate your insurance, meaning you will not be covered if you have an accident. Always check the declaration box on your insurance form and provide the endorsement code if asked.