Where to check your penalty points online
You can check your penalty points through the DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency) online service, which shows your current points in real time. Go to www.gov.uk/check-driving-licence and enter your driving licence number, date of birth, and postcode. The system will display any points recorded against your licence, along with the date each offence was recorded and when it will be removed.
This online check is the fastest way to see your points. It takes seconds and requires no appointment or phone call. The information shown is the same as what the DVLA holds on their system, so you are seeing the official record.
You do not need to create an account or log in with a password. Each time you visit, you enter your details fresh. This means you can check as often as you want without leaving a record of your searches.
Key Takeaways
- The DVLA online checker at www.gov.uk/check-driving-licence shows your current points when ready and requires only your licence number, date of birth, and postcode.
- Points remain on your licence for four years from the date of the offence, though they stop counting toward a ban after three years.
- If you reach 12 points within three years, your licence is automatically revoked and you must reapply and retake your test.
- You can also request a paper record by post or phone the DVLA directly if you cannot access the online service.
How points are recorded and how long they stay
Each driving offence carries a set number of points, ranging from 1 to 11. The points are recorded on your licence from the date you are convicted or the date you pay a fixed penalty, not from the date of the offence itself. This date matters because it determines when the points will be removed.
Points remain visible on your licence for four years from the conviction or penalty date. However, they only count toward a ban during the first three years. This means that if you accumulate 12 or more points within any three-year period, your licence is revoked automatically. After three years, the points stop counting, but they stay on your record until the full four years have passed.
Once four years have elapsed from the date recorded against each offence, that entry is removed from your licence entirely. The online checker will no longer show it. If you have multiple offences, each one has its own four-year countdown, so your points may disappear at different times.
What happens if you reach 12 points
Reaching 12 or more points within three years triggers an automatic licence revocation. You will receive a letter from the DVLA telling you that your licence has been revoked and that you must stop driving when ready. You cannot appeal this decision — it is a legal consequence of the points you have accumulated.
After revocation, you must reapply for a new licence and pay the reapplication fee. You will also have to retake your practical driving test. The DVLA will tell you in their letter how to proceed and what forms to complete. You cannot drive until your new licence is issued.
If you are a professional driver or your job depends on holding a licence, reaching 12 points has serious employment consequences. Some employers require you to report licence changes, and some insurance policies are void if your licence is revoked. Check your employment contract and insurance documents to understand what you must disclose.
Checking your licence by phone or post
If you cannot use the online service, you can phone the DVLA on 0300 790 6801. You will need your driving licence number, date of birth, and postcode. The adviser will tell you how many points you have and when each one will be removed. This service is free, but you may wait on hold depending on call volume.
You can also request a paper record by post. Write to the DVLA at Swansea, SA99 1TU, including your full name, date of birth, driving licence number, and a daytime phone number. Include a stamped addressed envelope for the reply. The DVLA will send you a printed statement of your licence record, including all points and their removal dates. This takes around two weeks.
Understanding the points on your record
The online checker shows the offence code, the date it was recorded, and the number of points. The offence code is a two-digit number that corresponds to a specific type of driving offence — for example, code 10 is speeding, code 14 is failing to wear a seatbelt, and code 30 is using a mobile phone while driving. You can find the full list of offence codes on the DVLA website if you want to know what each code means.
The date shown is the conviction or penalty date, not the date of the offence. If you paid a fixed penalty notice, the date is when you paid it or when the payment was processed. If you went to court, it is the date of the court decision. This date is what matters for calculating when the points will be removed.
Some offences carry a range of points depending on the circumstances. For example, speeding can be 3, 4, 6, or 9 points depending on how far over the limit you were. The checker will show the exact number recorded against your licence.
What to do if the information is wrong
If the online checker shows points you do not believe are yours, or if the number of points is incorrect, contact the DVLA when ready. Call 0300 790 6801 and explain the discrepancy. Have your licence number and the details of the offence in question ready.
The DVLA will investigate and check their records against the court or police records. If an error is found, they will correct it. This can take several weeks, so keep a note of the date you called and the adviser's name. If the points were added in error and you have already been revoked, the DVLA can reinstate your licence once the error is corrected.
If you believe you were wrongly convicted or that the points should not have been imposed, that is a legal matter separate from checking your record. You would need to appeal the conviction through the courts, not through the DVLA. The DVLA only removes points if the conviction itself is overturned.
Points and insurance premiums
Insurance companies check your driving record when you renew your policy, and points will increase your premium. The more points you have, the higher the increase is likely to be. Some insurers will not cover drivers with more than a certain number of points, and some will not cover drivers who have been revoked.
You are legally required to tell your insurer about any points on your licence when you take out a policy or renew it. Failing to disclose points can invalidate your insurance, meaning the insurer will not pay out if you have a claim. Check your policy documents to see what you must declare and when.
Points will affect your insurance costs for the full four years they remain on your licence, even though they stop counting toward a ban after three years. Once the four-year period has passed and the points are removed from your licence, you can tell your insurer and your premium may decrease at your next renewal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I check someone else's penalty points?
No. The online checker requires the licence number, date of birth, and postcode of the licence holder. Only the person whose licence it is can access this information. You cannot check another person's points without their permission and their details.
Do penalty points show up on my licence card itself?
No. Your physical driving licence card does not display points. Points are recorded on the DVLA's computer system and can only be seen through the online checker, by phone, or on a paper record request. The card itself shows your name, address, photo, and the categories of vehicle you can drive.
What if I have points from before I got my current licence?
Points follow you across licence renewals. If you had points on an old licence and you renewed it, those points carry over to your new licence. The four-year countdown continues from the original conviction date, not from the date you renewed your licence.
How quickly do points appear after I get a fixed penalty?
Points usually appear on the online checker within 4 to 6 weeks of you paying a fixed penalty notice. If you went to court, they appear within a similar timeframe after the court decision. Until they appear, the DVLA system may not show them, but they are still being recorded.
Can I remove points early by taking a driving course?
No. Points cannot be removed early through any course or action. They must run their full four-year course. However, some courts may offer a driver awareness course as an alternative to points for minor offences, which means you avoid getting points in the first place. This is only available at the time of conviction, not afterward.