Endorsements appear as codes and points on the back of your photocard licence, listed under the "Endorsements" section

When you receive a driving conviction, the DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency) records it as an endorsement on your licence. This is not a mark on the physical card itself — it is a code and point total printed on the back of your photocard, in a section labeled "Endorsements" or sometimes "Conviction Details." The front of your licence looks unchanged; the record lives on the reverse side.

Each endorsement shows a two-digit code (such as SP30 for speeding or MS90 for failing to stop after an accident), the date of the offence, the date you were convicted, and the number of penalty points attached. If you have multiple convictions, each one appears as a separate line in this section. The endorsements remain visible to police, insurance companies, and employers who check your licence record — though the public cannot see them without your permission.

Key Takeaways

  • Endorsements are printed on the back of your photocard licence under a dedicated section, not visible on the front.
  • Each endorsement shows a code (like SP30 or MS90), the offence date, conviction date, and the number of penalty points.
  • Endorsements stay on your licence for a set period — usually four to eleven years depending on the offence type — then are removed automatically.
  • Police, insurers, and some employers can see your endorsements when they check your licence; you can request a copy of your own record from the DVLA.
  • Accumulating twelve or more points within three years triggers a mandatory driving ban and requires you to reapply for your licence.

How the back of your photocard is laid out

The reverse side of your UK photocard licence is divided into numbered sections. Section 10 is where endorsements appear. Above it, sections 1 through 9 hold your personal details, driving history categories (the types of vehicle you are allowed to drive), and any restrictions or conditions. Section 10 lists every conviction you have received.

If you have no endorsements, section 10 will be blank or show no entries. If you have one or more, each row shows the offence code, the date of the offence, the date of conviction, and the penalty points. For example, a speeding conviction might read: "SP30 | 15/03/2022 | 20/05/2022 | 6 points." This layout is the same on every UK photocard licence.

Common endorsement codes and where they sit

The DVLA uses a standardised two-letter, two-digit code system for all endorsements. Codes beginning with SP relate to speeding offences (SP10, SP20, SP30, SP40, SP50, SP60). Codes beginning with MS cover motorway offences (MS10, MS20, MS90). Codes beginning with IN relate to insurance breaches (IN10). Codes beginning with DT cover drink or drug driving (DR10, DR20, DR30, DR40, DR50, DR60, DR70, DR80, DR90). Each code carries a set number of points — usually between 3 and 11 — and sits in the same section 10 regardless of the type of offence.

You can request a full list of all endorsement codes and their meanings from the DVLA website or by calling them. Knowing your code helps you understand what the conviction was for and how long it will remain on your record. Some codes, such as those for serious offences like causing death by dangerous driving (CD80), carry higher point totals and longer removal periods.

How long endorsements stay visible on your licence

Endorsements do not stay on your licence forever. The DVLA removes them automatically after a set period, which depends on the offence type. Most minor offences (speeding, careless driving) are removed after four years from the date of conviction. More serious offences (drink driving, dangerous driving) remain for eleven years. Medium-severity offences typically stay for five to ten years.

The removal date is not printed on your licence, but you can calculate it by adding the relevant period to your conviction date. Once the period expires, the DVLA deletes the endorsement from their system and it no longer appears on your licence. You do not need to do anything — the removal is automatic. However, if you are asked about your driving record before the removal date, you are legally required to disclose the endorsement.

Who can see your endorsements

Police officers can see your endorsements when they check your licence during a traffic stop or investigation. Insurance companies can see them when you explore for or renew a policy — in fact, they use endorsements to calculate your premium and decide whether to cover you at all. Some employers, particularly those hiring for roles that involve driving (taxi firms, delivery companies, bus operators), can see endorsements if you consent to a licence check.

You can see your own endorsements by looking at the back of your photocard or by requesting a full record from the DVLA. The DVLA charges a small fee for a written record, though you can view your record free through the DVLA's online portal if you have a UK Passport or UK photocard ID. Insurance brokers and employers cannot see your endorsements without your permission, but you are required to tell them about any endorsements when you explore for insurance or a job.

What happens if you accumulate twelve points

If your endorsements add up to twelve or more penalty points within any three-year period, you will receive a notice from the DVLA informing you that your licence will be revoked. This is a mandatory driving ban, not a discretionary one. The ban typically lasts a minimum of six months, though it can be longer depending on your circumstances and whether you have previous bans.

Once your licence is revoked, you must stop driving when ready. You can reapply for a new licence after the ban period ends, but you will need to pass the theory and practical driving tests again. Your endorsements do not disappear when you reapply — they remain on your record for their full removal period. Some insurers will refuse to cover you after a ban, and premiums are typically much higher when you do find cover.

How to check your own endorsement record

The fastest way to see your endorsements is to look at the back of your photocard licence yourself. Section 10 will show every active endorsement. If you need an official written record — for example, to show an employer or insurance company — you can request one from the DVLA by post or through their online service.

To request a record online, visit the DVLA website and use their "View your driving record" service. You will need to log in with your UK Passport or photocard ID. The service shows your current endorsements, your driving categories, and any restrictions. If you prefer a paper copy, you can write to the DVLA with your name, address, and driving licence number, and they will send you a formal record within a few working days. There is a small fee for a paper record, though the online version is free.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do endorsements show on the front of my licence?

No. The front of your photocard shows only your photo, name, address, and driving categories. Endorsements are printed only on the back, in section 10. This means other people cannot see your endorsements unless they physically turn your licence over or you tell them about them.

Can I get an endorsement removed early?

No. The DVLA removes endorsements automatically after the set period for that offence type. You cannot request early removal, and there is no appeal process. Once the removal date passes, the endorsement disappears from your record without any action needed from you.

Will my insurance company see my endorsements?

Yes. Insurance companies check your driving record as part of the process process, and they will see all active endorsements. You are also legally required to tell them about any endorsements when you explore. Failing to disclose an endorsement can invalidate your policy.

What if I have an old endorsement that should have been removed?

Contact the DVLA and provide your licence number and the details of the endorsement. If the removal date has passed, the DVLA should remove it from their system. It can take a few weeks for the change to appear on your licence, so ask for a written confirmation of the removal date.

Do penalty points and endorsements mean the same thing?

Not exactly. An endorsement is the conviction record itself, shown as a code on your licence. Penalty points are the number attached to that endorsement. One endorsement can carry multiple points — for example, a serious speeding offence might be one endorsement carrying 6 points. The points are what add up to trigger a ban.