Where Do Points Show on Driving Licence UK?

Everything You need to Know About Penalty Points on Your Licence

If you’ve ever received a traffic offence in the UK, you may be wondering: Where do points show on a driving licence in the UK? This guide explains how penalty points appear, where to find them, and how they may affect your driving record.

What Are Driving Licence Points?

In the UK, penalty points (also called endorsements) are added to your driving licence when you commit certain driving offences, such as speeding, using a mobile phone while driving, or running a red light. These points are issued by the DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency) and can stay on your record for up to 11 years depending on the offence.

Where Do Points Show on a Driving Licence?

Contrary to popular belief, the plastic photocard driving licence you carry does not show the actual penalty points. Instead, points are recorded electronically on your driver record held by the DVLA.

To check your points:

1. Visit the official Gov.uk driving licence checker
2. Log in using your:
   • Driving licence number
   • National Insurance number
   • Postcode
3. View your endorsements, penalty points, and expiry dates online

This system shows exactly how many points you have, what offences they relate to, and when they were added.

How Many Points Are Too Many?

• If you accumulate 6 or more points within 2 years of passing your test, your licence can be revoked.
• Accumulating 12 points or more within 3 years may lead to a driving ban.

This is why it’s crucial to regularly check your DVLA record and stay informed about any changes.

Can You Remove Points?

Points are automatically removed from your record after a certain number of years depending on the offence. You can’t remove them early, but safe driving practices and driver awareness courses can help prevent further points.

Final Thoughts

So, where do points show on a driving licence in the UK? The answer is: not physically on the licence card, but on your digital driving record maintained by the DVLA. Staying aware of your endorsements helps protect your driving privileges and insurance rates.