Information Guide for Driving Licence Endorsements and how to understand them
Driving Licence Endorsements and how to understand them
What are driving licence endorsements and penalty points?
When a person is either convicted of an endorsable offence, or accepts a fixed penalty carrying an endorsement of points, their driving licence will always be endorsed. Endorsements must stay on your driving record for 4 or 11 years, depending on the offence.
Endorsements codes and penalty points
Each endorsement has a unique offence code and is allocated penalty points on a scale from one to eleven, depending on the severity of the offence. The endorsement and penalty points are then updated on your driver record.
Do all motoring offences carry penalty points?
Not all motoring offences carry penalty points however the majority do result in points being awarded. The minimum points awarded will be 2 points, the maximum is 10 but in some cases, immediate disqualification is mandatory or imposed by the court.
How long will an endorsement stay on your driving licence?
Different driving endorsements will stay on your driving licence for different periods of time depending on the offence.
The general rule for most offences is that the penalty points remain active for 3 years and the DVLA will keep the record of points on your licence for 4 years.
For more serious offences such as drink drive or drug driving offences (Endorsement codes start with DR), they will remain active for 10 years and on your licence for 11 years.
If you accumulate 12 or more penalty points within a period of three years, you can be disqualified under the ‘totting-up’ rules. This will be shown on your licence as endorsement TT99.
What happens if you are a new driver?
If you have recently passed your driving test and accrue 6 or more penalty points within the first 2 years of passing your driving test your licence will be revoked. If your licence is revoked you will need to re-apply for your provisional driving licence and re-sit your driving test (both the theory and practical parts).
What if you are disqualified for a single offence for a short period?
If you are disqualified from driving for less than 56 days (normally for a speeding offence) you will need to hand your licence in to the court or send it in. Your licence will be returned confirming the date the disqualification ends and on that date, your licence is valid again without any further test being required.
Producing your driving licence for endorsement
If you are convicted of an offence you will need to produce your driving licence to the Police, the Fixed Penalty Office or when you appear at court or send your licence to the court.
If your driving licence is lost, you can get a duplicate online, by phone or by post.
Your licence will be endorsed with the relevant offence code and the relevant penalty points will be allocated to your licence.
How are endorsements removed from your driving licence?
Endorsements are automatically removed from your online driving licence once they have expired.
How to check endorsement details
You can view your driving licence and any endorsements online by visiting www.gov.uk/view-driving-licence
Most common endorsement codes
| Code | Offence | Points/Disqualification |
| AC10 | Failing to stop after an accident | 5–10 |
| CD10 | Driving without due care and attention | 3–9 or disqualification |
| DD40 | Dangerous Driving | 3–11Mandatory disqualification |
| DR10 | Driving or attempting to drive with alcohol level above limit | 3–11Mandatory disqualification |
| DR30 | Driving or attempting to drive then failing to supply a specimen for analysis | 3–11Mandatory disqualification |
| IN10 | Using a vehicle uninsured against third party risks | 6–8 or disqualification |
| LC20 | Driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence | 3–6 |
| MS90 | Failure to give information as to identity of driver etc | 6 |
| SP10 | Exceeding goods vehicle speed limits | 3–6 |
| SP20 | Exceeding speed limit for type of vehicle (excluding goods or passenger vehicles) | 3–6 |
| SP30 | Exceeding statutory speed limit on a public road | 3–6 |
| SP40 | Exceeding passenger vehicle speed limit | 3–6 |
| SP50 | Exceeding speed limit on a motorway | 3–6 |
| SP60 | Undefined speed limit offence | 3 |
| TS10 | Failing to comply with traffic light signals | 3 |
| TT99 | To signify a disqualification under totting–up procedure. If the total of penalty points reaches 12 or more within 3 years, the driver is liable to be disqualified | Mandatory disqualification |
When should I request legal advice?
If you need advice in relation to a prosecution for a motoring offence that carries endorsement or otherwise it is advisable to obtain assistance from a specialist motoring solicitor as soon as you receive the Notice of Intended Prosecution. If you require advice regarding driving licence endorsements or how many points a particular offence attracts then you will need to contact motoring solicitor who can advise you on what to expect and the best course of action to take moving forward.
Driving Licence Endorsements:
We offer professional expert advice in relation to driving offences and endorsements, if you require advice please contact us at the earliest opportunity.
