subject: Driving Bans And Endorsements [print this page] If you are convicted of a motoring offence then you will often get penalty points on your license, also known as endorsements.
When points are issued the smallest number that can be given is two points(for lesser offences) with the maximum being eleven, although for the majority of offences three points or more are given. In some cases separate points are given for multiple occurrences of the same indiscretion (for example if you have more than one defective tyre) and in most convictions penalty points are obligatory but the actual number of points is up to the discretion of the court.
All endorsements have a unique offence code and a record of the points is put onto your counterpart and upon conviction you will need to produce your driving license to the police, the fixed penalty office (FPO) or at your court appearance, so the points can be added.
Depending on the offence the endorsements must stay on your license for either four or eleven years. It is four years if you have committed reckless/dangerous driving, offences resulting in disqualification or have been disqualified from driving until a driving test has been passed, and eleven years if the conviction is related to drinking or drugs and driving, causing death by careless driving while under the influence of drink or drugs, or causing death by careless driving, then failing to provide a specimen for analysis.
Points are given for multiple convictions and if you are given 12 or more within a three year period, then you risk being disqualified from driving within the totting up system. In addition to this different rules apply if you are within the first two years of driving on a full licence. In this instance if you build up six penalty points then your license is no longer valid and you must retake the test, most likely after a period of disqualification.
