how long do points stay on your licence for? I have been told that they are valid for 3 years but stay on for 4 years. Need clarification, thanks

[rich8888]

[rojash]

How much clarification do you need? They are valid for 3 years and can be removed after 4 years.

[magicmerlin]

Isn't it funny how some people ask a question and answer it at the same time. Also some people are so damn lazy that they can't be a***d to look for the answer themselves.

[rich8888]

Actually I do need clarification as I dont understand why poins can be invalid but still on you licence? And if that's your attitude Magic what is the point of Answerbank, surely you must have asked a question? Why didn't find out yourself?

[tamborine]

If you want a new licence to not show out of date points. Tear the present one (accidentally) send to DVLA with cheque for £22 - wallah.........done!

[chas2008]

im fairly sure it depends on the type of offence, i believe d & d stays on for 10 years...

[New Judge]

There are two aspects to this.

There are a few driving offences where no “endorsement” on the driver’s licence is made. However, most offences do carry an endorsement. This has nothing to do with penalty points or disqualification, but is simply a record of the offence which is provided on the driver’s licence and on his driving record held by the DVLA. The endorsement usually lasts for four years from the date of conviction although, as chas correctly points out, some offences (those involving drink or drugs) carry an endorsement which stays on the licence for eleven years. After four (or eleven) years the driver can apply to the DVLA for a new licence with the endorsement removed. For these purposes the date of the offence is usually the starting point of the endorsement period, though for a few offences it is the date of conviction which starts the clock.

As well as this, as part of the sentence, (unless there are “special reasons”) the court must usually either disqualify the driver or award between three and eleven penalty points. (Note, not both. No points are imposed if a disqualification is ordered). There is a “totting up” law which says that if a driver accumulates twelve or more penalty points within three years then he becomes liable to a mandatory six month disqualification (unless he can argue that “exceptional hardship” will follow if he is banned). (The period is ten years in the case of the drink/drugs offences. Similarly the dates of the offences being normally used as the starting point, though for some offences it is the dates of convictions).

So the answer to your question is really that, in the fourth (or eleventh) year, although the endorsement is still shown on your licence the penalty points are no longer valid for totting up purposes.

Hope this helps.

[New Judge]

Just a further thought.

In the case of the drink/drugs offences which attract an endorsement lasting eleven years, the “totting up” rule is rarely if ever needed. Most of these offences carry a mandatory disqualification for a first offence and all carry a mandatory disqualification – of a longer duration - for a second offence.

[rich8888]

thanks Newjudge that was exactly the explanation I was looking for.

[sddsddean]

Also, be aware (in the case of speeding certainly and probably other offences) that although the points are 'effective' for 3 years and on your licence for 4, insurance companies normally want to know if you have had a speeding conviction in the last 5 years, so don't just forget about them after 4 years.

[magicmerlin]

The point of answerbank is to ask a question when all other avenues of research have been exhausted (and that includes looking at the most obvious web sites).