Penalty Points for Speeding
The penalty points system is a key part of UK road safety enforcement. Accumulating too many points leads to a driving ban, with stricter rules for new drivers.
Points by Speeding Band
| Band | Speed Over Limit | Points | Alternative |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | 1-9 mph over | 3 points | Speed awareness course (if eligible) |
| B | 10-20 mph over | 4-6 points | Or 7-28 day disqualification |
| C | 21+ mph over | 6 points | Or 7-56 day disqualification |
How the Points System Works
The UK penalty points system was introduced as part of the Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988. When you commit a motoring offence, the court or fixed penalty system endorses your driving licence with a set number of points. Each offence carries a specific range of points, and the exact number within that range is determined by the severity of the offence.
For speeding offences, the endorsement codes are SP30 (exceeding a statutory speed limit on a public road), SP40 (exceeding passenger vehicle speed limit), and SP50 (exceeding speed limit on a motorway). These endorsements remain on your licence for 4 years from the date of the offence, but they count towards the totting-up threshold for only 3 years.
Points from different offences are cumulative. For example, if you receive 3 points for speeding and later receive 3 more points for a separate speeding offence within the same 3-year period, you will have 6 active points. This can affect your insurance premiums even if you are well below the 12-point threshold.
Totting Up: The 12-Point Ban
If you accumulate 12 or more penalty points within a 3-year period, the court is required to disqualify you from driving. This is known as the "totting up" procedure. The minimum disqualification periods are:
6 months
First totting-up ban
12 months
Second ban within 3 years
2 years
Third ban within 3 years
The court has discretion to impose a longer ban but not a shorter one. In exceptional circumstances, you may be able to argue "exceptional hardship" to avoid a totting-up ban, but this is difficult and requires legal representation. Simple inconvenience, such as losing your job or having to use public transport, is not normally considered exceptional.
New Driver Rules: 6-Point Threshold
Under the Road Traffic (New Drivers) Act 1995, drivers who have held a full licence for less than 2 years are subject to a lower threshold of 6 penalty points. If you accumulate 6 or more points during this probationary period, your licence is automatically revoked by the DVLA.
This means a single Band B speeding offence (4-6 points) could result in losing your licence as a new driver. You would then need to reapply for a provisional licence and pass both the theory and practical driving tests again before being allowed to drive.
The 2-year period starts from the date you pass your practical driving test. Any points accumulated before passing your test also count towards the 6-point threshold.
How Long Do Points Stay on Your Licence?
Speeding endorsements stay on your licence for 4 years from the date of the offence (not the date of conviction). However, they are only "active" for totting-up purposes for 3 years. After 4 years, you can apply to have the endorsement removed from your licence.
Insurance companies typically ask about points for 5 years, and some specialist policies may ask about the last 7 years. Having points on your licence will usually increase your insurance premiums, with each set of 3 points adding an estimated 5-10% to your premium. Multiple endorsements have a compounding effect, and 9 or more points can make it very difficult to obtain affordable insurance.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many points do you get for speeding?
The number of points depends on how far over the speed limit you were driving. Band A offences attract 3 points, Band B offences attract 4-6 points, and Band C offences attract 6 points. The court may also disqualify you instead of awarding points for more serious offences.
How long do speeding points stay on your licence?
Speeding endorsements (coded SP30, SP40, SP50 etc.) remain on your driving licence for 4 years from the date of the offence. However, they are only counted towards the "totting up" 12-point ban for 3 years from the offence date.
What happens if I get 12 points?
If you accumulate 12 or more penalty points within a 3-year period, the court must disqualify you from driving for a minimum of 6 months. This is known as "totting up". A second disqualification within 3 years leads to a minimum 12-month ban, and a third results in a minimum 2-year ban.
What are the rules for new drivers?
If you accumulate 6 or more penalty points within 2 years of passing your driving test, your licence is automatically revoked. You must then re-apply for a provisional licence and pass both the theory and practical tests again. This applies whether you are a new driver in England, Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland.