A licence endorsement is an official penalty point added to your driving record when you commit a traffic offence. Think of it as a black mark that stays on your licence for a specific period, warning authorities about your driving behaviour.
When you receive an endorsement, it means you’ve broken traffic laws. These penalty points accumulate on your driving licence and can lead to serious consequences, including disqualification from driving.
Licence Endorsements in Detail
What Exactly Are Penalty Points?
Penalty points are numerical values assigned to different traffic offences. Each type of violation carries a specific point value, ranging from 3 to 11 points depending on the severity.
The UK uses a totting-up system. If you accumulate 12 or more penalty points within three years, you face automatic disqualification from driving for at least six months.
Types of Endorsements
Traffic offences fall into several categories, each with distinct endorsement codes:
Speeding Offences (SP Codes)
- SP30: Exceeding statutory speed limit on public road (3-6 points)
- SP50: Exceeding speed limit on motorway (3-6 points)
Careless Driving (CD Codes)
- CD10: Driving without due care and attention (3-9 points)
- CD20: Driving without reasonable consideration (3-9 points)
Dangerous Driving (DD Codes)
- DD40: Dangerous driving (3-11 points, possible disqualification)
- DD60: Manslaughter or culpable homicide whilst driving (3-11 points)
Mobile Phone Offences (CU Codes)
- CU80: Using mobile phone whilst driving (6 points, £200 fine)
How Long Do Endorsements Stay on Your Licence?
Different endorsements remain on your licence for varying periods:
| Offence Type | Endorsement Duration | Points Count Towards Total |
|---|---|---|
| Most traffic offences | 4 years from conviction date | 3 years from conviction date |
| Drink/drug driving | 11 years from conviction date | 3 years from conviction date |
| Causing death by careless driving | 11 years from conviction date | 3 years from conviction date |
The distinction between how long endorsements stay visible and how long they count towards your total is crucial. Points stop counting towards the 12-point limit after three years, but remain visible on your licence longer.
Common Traffic Offences and Their Endorsements
Speeding Violations
Speeding remains the most common traffic offence in the UK. The penalties depend on how much you exceed the speed limit:
Band A Fines (10mph or less over limit)
- 3 penalty points
- Fine of 50% weekly income
Band B Fines (11-20mph over limit)
- 4-6 penalty points
- Fine of 75-125% weekly income
Band C Fines (21mph+ over limit)
- 6 penalty points or disqualification
- Fine of 125-175% weekly income
Speed cameras automatically trigger penalty notices, whilst police officers can offer speed awareness courses for minor violations.
Mobile Phone Usage
Using a handheld mobile phone whilst driving carries harsh penalties:
- 6 penalty points
- £200 fixed penalty notice
- Possible court appearance for new drivers
New drivers face automatic licence revocation if they receive 6 points within two years of passing their test.
Drink and Drug Driving
These serious offences carry severe consequences:
- Minimum 12-month driving ban
- Criminal record
- Unlimited fine
- Possible prison sentence
- 11 years on licence
The legal alcohol limit in England, Wales and Northern Ireland is 80mg per 100ml of blood. Scotland has a lower limit of 50mg per 100ml.
How Endorsements Affect You
Insurance Implications
Insurance companies view endorsements as risk indicators. Expect significant premium increases:
Typical Premium Increases by Offence Type:
- Speeding (3 points): 5-15% increase
- Mobile phone use (6 points): 15-25% increase
- Drink driving: 50-100% increase or policy cancellation
You must declare endorsements when renewing insurance. Failing to disclose penalty points can invalidate your policy.
Employment Consequences
Many employers require clean driving licences, particularly for roles involving:
- Company vehicles
- Client visits
- Delivery services
- Emergency services
Endorsements can limit job opportunities or result in dismissal if driving is essential to your role.
International Travel
Some countries refuse entry to visitors with serious driving convictions. Drink driving endorsements can particularly affect visa applications to:
- United States
- Canada
- Australia
The Endorsement Process
Receiving a Penalty Notice
When caught committing a traffic offence, you typically receive:
- Fixed Penalty Notice – For minor offences, offering penalty points and a fine
- Notice of Intended Prosecution – For more serious offences requiring court appearance
Court Appearances
Serious offences or disputes require magistrates’ court attendance. The court can:
- Impose penalty points
- Issue driving bans
- Order fines
- Require attendance at driving improvement courses
Challenging Endorsements
You can contest penalty notices by:
- Requesting a court hearing
- Providing evidence of circumstances
- Using legal representation for complex cases
Consider professional advice from organisations like the AA or RAC for guidance on challenging endorsements.
Preventing Endorsements
Defensive Driving Strategies
Speed Management:
- Use cruise control on long journeys
- Check speedometer regularly
- Allow extra time for journeys
- Use navigation apps with speed limit alerts
Mobile Phone Discipline:
- Use hands-free systems only
- Pull over safely for important calls
- Place phone in glove compartment
- Enable “do not disturb while driving” mode
Speed Awareness Courses
First-time speeding offenders often qualify for speed awareness courses instead of penalty points. These courses:
- Cost around £80-100
- Last approximately 4 hours
- Avoid penalty points on your licence
- Cannot be repeated within 3 years
Contact the National Driver Offender Retraining Scheme for course availability in your area.
Removing Endorsements from Your Licence
Automatic Removal
Endorsements automatically disappear from your licence after their designated period. You don’t need to take action – the DVLA handles removal automatically.
Voluntary Disclosure
Even after automatic removal, you may need to declare historical endorsements for:
- Insurance applications asking about convictions “ever”
- Job applications requiring complete disclosure
- Professional licence applications
Updating Your Licence
When endorsements expire, you can:
- Continue using your existing licence
- Apply for a replacement licence for a clean appearance
- Update your address simultaneously if needed
New Driver Considerations
Two-Year Probationary Period
New drivers face stricter rules for two years after passing their test:
- Automatic licence revocation at 6 penalty points
- Must retake both theory and practical tests
- Return to learner status immediately
Building Experience Safely
New drivers can avoid endorsements by:
- Taking Pass Plus courses for additional training
- Avoiding high-risk driving situations
- Using experienced passengers for guidance
- Practising in various weather conditions
The Institute of Advanced Motorists offers advanced driving courses to improve skills and reduce accident risk.
Impact on Different Licence Types
Car Licences (Category B)
Standard car licence holders face:
- 12-point limit before disqualification
- Standard penalty point durations
- Insurance implications varying by offence
HGV/PCV Licences
Professional drivers face stricter standards:
- Lower tolerance for serious offences
- Potential loss of vocational entitlement
- Regular medical and conduct reviews
- Higher insurance costs affecting employment
Motorcycle Licences
Motorcycle endorsements follow similar rules but insurance impacts can be more severe due to higher accident risks associated with motorcycling.
Conclusion
Licence endorsements represent serious consequences for traffic law violations. Understanding the point system, duration of endorsements, and their wide-ranging effects helps drivers make informed decisions about their behaviour on the road.
The key points to remember:
- Endorsements stay on your licence longer than they count towards totals
- Insurance costs increase significantly with penalty points
- New drivers face automatic licence loss at 6 points
- Prevention through careful driving remains the best strategy
Maintaining a clean licence protects your driving privileges, employment opportunities, and financial wellbeing. When facing potential endorsements, consider seeking professional advice and exploring alternatives like speed awareness courses where available.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive whilst my licence has endorsements?
Yes, you can continue driving with endorsements on your licence unless you’ve been disqualified. The endorsements serve as penalty points but don’t prevent you from driving until you reach 12 points within three years.
Do endorsements from other countries count towards my UK licence?
No, penalty points from other countries don’t transfer to your UK licence. However, serious convictions abroad may still affect your driving privileges and insurance costs when declared.
Can I remove endorsements early by taking courses?
No, you cannot remove existing endorsements early. Speed awareness courses only prevent endorsements for first-time speeding offences, not remove existing ones. Endorsements must remain for their full designated period.
What happens if I don’t declare endorsements to my insurance company?
Failing to declare endorsements can void your insurance policy entirely. This means you’d be driving without valid insurance, which carries severe penalties including prosecution, unlimited fines, and vehicle seizure.
Do parking tickets count as endorsements?
No, parking violations don’t result in licence endorsements or penalty points. They’re civil matters handled by local councils or private companies, resulting only in financial penalties rather than driving licence consequences.