What endorsing your licence means and when you need to do it
An endorsement on your driving licence is a record of a traffic conviction or penalty that the DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency) adds to your licence record. When you are convicted of a driving offence — whether that is speeding, driving without insurance, or a more serious violation — the court sends the details to the DVLA, and those details appear on your licence as an endorsement code and the number of penalty points attached to it.
You do not request an endorsement yourself. The endorsement happens automatically when the court processes your case. What you may need to do is understand what the endorsement means, how long it stays on your record, and what it costs you in terms of insurance premiums and driving privileges. If you have received a driving penalty notice or been convicted in court, the endorsement will follow within a few weeks.
The endorsement code tells insurers and the DVLA what you did. For example, SP30 means speeding, and IN10 means driving without insurance. Each code carries a set number of points — usually between 3 and 11 — and points accumulate. If you reach 12 points within three years, the DVLA can revoke your licence, and you must reapply and pass your test again.
Key Takeaways
- The DVLA adds endorsements to your licence automatically after a court conviction; you do not request one yourself.
- Each endorsement carries a code (like SP30 for speeding) and a number of penalty points that stay on your record for between 4 and 11 years depending on the offence.
- Reaching 12 or more points within three years results in automatic licence revocation, and you must pass your driving test again to get a new one.
- You can check what endorsements are on your licence by viewing your DVLA record online or requesting a paper counterpart from the DVLA.
- Insurance premiums typically rise after an endorsement, and some insurers may refuse to cover you until the endorsement expires or is removed.
How to check what endorsements are on your licence
The fastest way to see your endorsements is to check your DVLA online record. Go to the DVLA website and use the "View your driving licence information" service. You will need your driving licence number, National Insurance number, and postcode. Once you log in, you can see every endorsement on your record, the code for each one, the number of points, and the date it will be removed.
If you do not have online access or prefer a paper record, you can request a paper counterpart from the DVLA by phone or post. The paper counterpart shows the same information as the online record — your endorsements, points, and expiry dates. There is no charge for this service. The DVLA will send it to you within a week.
Keep a copy of your endorsement record when you explore for insurance or when a potential employer asks about your driving history. Some insurers will ask you to declare your endorsements, and giving accurate information is a legal requirement. If you lie about endorsements on an insurance form, the insurer can refuse to pay out if you make a claim.
Understanding endorsement codes and how long they stay on your record
Each endorsement has a four-character code that tells you what the offence was. Common codes include SP30 (speeding), IN10 (driving without insurance), CD40 (reckless driving), and DR10 (driving under the influence). The code matters because insurers use it to assess your risk, and different offences carry different insurance penalties.
Endorsements do not stay on your record forever. Most endorsements are removed after 4 years from the date of conviction. However, more serious offences — such as driving under the influence (DR10), causing death by careless driving (CD80), or dangerous driving (CD10) — stay on your record for 11 years. You can see the exact removal date when you check your DVLA record online.
Once an endorsement is removed from your record, it no longer counts toward the 12-point threshold, and you should not declare it to insurers (though some insurers may ask about your driving history over a longer period). The removal is automatic; you do not need to do anything.
What happens if you reach 12 points
If you accumulate 12 or more penalty points within a three-year period, the DVLA will revoke your licence. You will receive a letter telling you that your licence has been revoked and that you must stop driving when ready. Driving after revocation is a criminal offence and can result in a fine of up to £1,000 and a ban from driving for a further period.
After revocation, you must reapply for your licence and pass both the theory test and the practical driving test again. You cannot straightforward pay a fee and get your licence back. The reapplication process takes several weeks, and you must pay the full licence fee. During this time, you cannot drive at all, even with a provisional licence.
If you believe the DVLA made an error in counting your points or revoking your licence, you can appeal to the magistrates' court within a set timeframe. You will need evidence that the points were miscounted or that there are grounds to challenge the revocation. Most appeals require legal representation, so speak to a solicitor if you think you have a case.
How endorsements affect your insurance
Insurance premiums rise significantly after an endorsement. The increase depends on the type of offence, the number of points, and your age and driving history. A single speeding endorsement might add 20 to 30 percent to your premium, while a drink-driving conviction can double or triple it. Some insurers will not cover you at all until the endorsement expires.
When you get a quote for insurance, you must declare all endorsements on your record. Insurers will ask you to list every conviction and penalty in the past three to five years. If you do not declare an endorsement and the insurer finds out later, they can cancel your policy and refuse to pay out if you have an accident. This is why it is important to check your DVLA record before you buy insurance.
As your endorsement gets older and approaches its removal date, your insurance premium should gradually decrease. Once the endorsement is removed from your record, you can tell insurers that you have no endorsements, and your premium should return to a level closer to what it was before the offence.
Requesting a new licence after an endorsement
If your licence has been lost, stolen, or damaged, you can request a replacement from the DVLA even if you have endorsements on your record. The endorsements will transfer to your new licence automatically. You do not need to do anything special — the DVLA will print them on the new licence when it is issued.
If you want to check that your endorsements have transferred correctly to a new licence, check your DVLA record online after you receive it. If an endorsement is missing or incorrect, contact the DVLA when ready to report the error. Errors are rare, but they do happen, and it is worth verifying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I remove an endorsement before it expires?
No. Endorsements are removed automatically by the DVLA on the date shown in your record. You cannot pay to have one removed early or appeal to have it taken off before the expiry date. The only exception is if the DVLA made an error in recording the endorsement, in which case you can ask them to correct it.
Will an endorsement show up on a background check for a job?
It depends on the type of job and the type of check. A standard background check will not show driving endorsements. However, if the job involves driving or requires a clean driving record, the employer may ask you to provide your DVLA record or a copy of your licence. You must answer honestly if asked about endorsements.
What if I was convicted but disagree with the decision?
If you disagree with the court's decision, you can appeal the conviction itself through the court system, not through the DVLA. This is a separate legal process and usually requires a solicitor. If your appeal is successful and the conviction is overturned, the DVLA will remove the endorsement from your record.
Do endorsements from other countries show on my UK licence?
Endorsements from driving convictions in other countries do not automatically appear on your UK licence. However, if you are caught driving in the UK and the police discover a foreign conviction, it may be taken into account when you are sentenced. Always declare foreign driving convictions to your insurer if asked.
How do I know if my endorsement has been removed?
Check your DVLA record online — it will show the removal date for each endorsement. Once that date has passed, the endorsement will no longer appear on your record. You can also request a paper counterpart from the DVLA to confirm the endorsement is gone.