Penalty Points Calculator: How Many Points Before a Ban?

Last checked: 19 September 2026

How the calculator works

For each offence, enter the date you committed it and the number of points you got. The calculator adds up the points from offences in the 3 years before the date you choose, because that’s the period GOV.UK uses for the 12-point rule. It then shows when each set of points drops out of that 3-year window, so you can see when your total will fall.

If you passed your test less than 2 years ago, tick the new driver box and add your pass date. The calculator then checks you against the 6-point limit for new drivers instead.

A few things to bear in mind:

• It’s an estimate. It works from offence dates, which is how most points are timed, but some endorsements are dated from the conviction instead.
• A ban isn’t automatic at 12 points. A court decides, and it can take your circumstances into account.
• Nothing you enter is sent anywhere or saved. It all happens in your browser.
• Your official record is the final word. You can check it on GOV.UK, as explained below.

How many points before you lose your licence?

For most drivers the number is 12. You can be disqualified from driving if you build up 12 or more penalty points within a period of 3 years. This is often called a “totting up” ban, because the points from several smaller offences add up to the limit.

The court decides how long the ban lasts. GOV.UK sets out these standard lengths for a points ban:

Situation	Ban can last
12 or more points within 3 years	6 months
A second disqualification within 3 years	12 months
A third disqualification within 3 years	2 years

If you’re disqualified for 56 days or more, you have to apply for a new licence before you can drive again, and the court may also tell you to retake your test.

The ban lengths in the table are minimums, and a court can only go below them in limited circumstances. Our guide to what happens if you get 12 points explains the court process, exceptional hardship and getting your licence back.

How many points can a new driver get?

Fewer than 6, if you passed your test in the last 2 years. Your licence is cancelled (revoked) if you get 6 or more points within 2 years of passing. That’s only two typical speeding offences.

Points on your provisional licence count too. Any that haven’t expired carry over to your full licence when you pass, and if further points take you to 6 or more within those first 2 years, your licence is cancelled. Our guide to the new driver 6-point rule explains what counts and how to get your licence back.

If that happens, you have to start again: apply and pay for a new provisional licence, then pass the theory test and the practical test again. Passing a test for another type of vehicle later, such as a lorry, doesn’t start a new 2-year period.

How many points do you get for common offences?

Each offence has a code and a range of points on a scale from 1 to 11. These ranges come from GOV.UK’s list of endorsement codes:

Offence	Code	Penalty points
Exceeding the speed limit on a public road	SP30	3 to 6
Exceeding the speed limit on a motorway	SP50	3 to 6
Not being in proper control of the vehicle, such as using a mobile phone	CU80	3 to 6
Driving without insurance	IN10	6 to 8
Failing to comply with traffic light signals	TS10	3
Driving without due care and attention	CD10	3 to 9
Failing to give information about who was driving	MS90	6
Driving with alcohol above the limit	DR10	3 to 11

Some offences, such as drink driving, usually lead to a ban as well as points. The full list of codes is on GOV.UK’s endorsement codes page. Our drink drive calculator explains units and the legal limits.

How long do points stay on your licence?

There are two different clocks, and it’s easy to mix them up. One is how long points count towards a ban. The other is how long they stay on your record. Our guide to how long penalty points stay on your licence explains both, offence by offence.

Type of endorsement	Counts (“valid”) for	Stays on your record for
Most offences, including speeding	3 years	4 years from the date of the offence
Reckless or dangerous driving, or offences that led to a ban	3 years	4 years from the date of conviction
Drink or drug driving (for example DR10, DR20)	10 years	11 years from the date of conviction

Insurers and employers may be able to see an endorsement at any time during a 4-year endorsement, and during the first 5 years of an 11-year endorsement (or the first 30 months if you were under 18). Expired endorsements are removed from your record automatically.

How to check your penalty points

The official way to see your points, and the date each one will be removed, is GOV.UK’s view or share your driving licence information service. You’ll need your driving licence number, your National Insurance number and the postcode on your licence.

The same service lets you create a check code if a car hire company or employer needs to see your record. The code is valid for 21 days. Our guide to sharing your driving licence walks through it step by step.

Northern Ireland

Endorsement codes, processes and some disqualification rules are different in Northern Ireland. Check the current rules on nidirect.

Sources: Penalty points (endorsements), Driving disqualifications and View or share your driving licence information, all on GOV.UK. This page is general information, not legal advice.